VISITORS ENTERTAINED.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20452, 2 November 1934, Page 4

VISITORS ENTERTAINED.

Canterbury Chamber of Commerce Banquet. Nearly 200 guests were entertained by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce last evening when a banquet was held in the restaurant of the New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association in connection with the annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand. The president of the Canterbury Chamber, Mr F. W. Hobbs, presided, and guests of honour included the Deputy-Mayor (the Rev J. K. Archer), the chairman of the New Zealand Railways Board (Mr H. If. Sterling) and the president of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation (Mr F. L. Hutchinson). Proposing the toast of “ The Associated Chambers,” Mr Hobbs said that it was his privilege to express to its members the appreciation felt by the chambers of the Dominion for the excellent work they were doing. United Voice. “ Before the Associated Chamber was formed we were like a choir in. which every singer rendered the music in accordance with his own interpretation, and there was not always that harmony and unity which give the best results: at times, even discord was apparent,” added Mr Ilobbs. “ To-day, with the Associated Chamber as a focussing point all opinions are sifted and examined and the final decision goes forth as the united voice of the chambers of the Dominion. This is invaluable when making representations to the Government, or when advising the commercial community on matters of importance to it.” Mr Hobbs also referred to the history of the Canterbury Chamber, which was celebrating its seventy-fifth anniversary, having been founded a remarkably short time after the arrival of the First Four Ships. • Mr Ilobbs mentioned that the guest?, included Mr G. T. Booth, president of the chamber forty years ago. The president of the Associated Chambers (Mr A. M. Seaman) replied to the toast, thanking Mr Hobbs for his remarks, and going on to comment ot: problems of the day. Mr \V. R. Lascelles proposed the toast of “ The Business Man,” treating the subject in jocular vein and delighting his audience with whimsical allusions to many of the more prominent guests. The reply was made by Mr M. J. Burns, who defended tl\e business man in vigorously cheerful style. Musical items were given by Messrs C. L. James, H. J. Francis and E. T. I.awn (songs) and H. G. Glaysher (harp solo). The accompanist was Dr F. C. A’Court. The evening closed with an interesting display of slides made from aerial photographs and shown with illuminating comments by Mr J. C. Mercer.