CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Te Puke Times, 17 June 1921, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The monthly meeting of the local Chamber of Commerce was held on Wednesday evening, there being present Messrs T. E. Palmer (Chairman), T. Wills, J. Persey, AB. Mollgard, I. Stenberg, and R. Bell. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs Sweetman, Wilson, and Wrigley. .The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. It was decided to wait on various members whose subscriptions were overdue and request payment, in order to expedite preparation of the balance-sheet for the annual meeting. The grant of £3 voted by the Chamber towards the ladies’ cloak room was passed for payment, and also an account of £1 12s from the Times Office. A discussion ensued with regard to enlarging the membership by the inclusion of farmers and members of local bodies. The ’ opinion of the meeting was favI orable to the suggestion, and it was decided that various farmers and public men be approached and asKed to attend the annual meeting to be held on July 20th. Mr Persey gave notice that at the annual meeting he would move that the word ’‘ monthly ” be deleted in regard to general meetings, and that the word * ‘ quarterly ” be inserted. He considered that general meetings should only be held quarterly, the business arising between the meetings to be conducted by an executive committee.

The appointment of Mr Persey as representative of the Chamber at the conference re the RotoruaEast Coast railway connection was confirmed.

Mr Stenberg referred to the proposed cut in the Mount-Matata railway service by taking off one train per day. and said that the Chamber should emphatically protest against such a reduction. It would vitally affect Te Puke. They had a difficulty now in getting goods through, and the position would be far worse if there was a curtailment in the service. Other Chambers were taking the matter up. Mr Persey said if only ofie train was cut out it would make a tremendous difference to the quantity of goods coming into the town It would also prevent customers coming into Te Puke. It was said that the change was to be brought into force in three months time, just when people were looking to things to brighten up. He considered that they would »be well advised to enter a strong protest against any reduction in the service. The Chairman endorsed the remarks of the two previous speakers, and it was decided that Messrs Stenberg and Mollgard draw up a letter of protest? copies to be sent to the Public Works Department, Wellington, and to the Resident Engineer.