CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Wairarapa Age, 29 July 1925, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Masterton Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday, there being present Messrs D. M. Graham, G. H. Perry, S. J. Smith, R. H. Hili, H. E. Davis, D. Smith, J. Caselberg, H. H. Daniell, H. P. Hugs, F. Whitton, and D. Ogilvy. Apologies were received from Dr. G. H. Scholefield and Mr C. C. Jackson. Mr Graham was voted to the chair. Railway Tariff. The Railway Board advised that the now railway tariff had been submitted to the Associated Chamber of Commerce, whieh would review matters on behalf ol individual chambers and give the Department the benefit of its criticism. It hud not been possible to supply a draft of the tariff to all Chambers of Commerce. The chairman was afraid that the Department’s mind was made up and he did not think it likely that any material reductions would be made. Mr Perry said the Department could not be expected to satisfy everybody. It was decided that a letter of appreciation of the Department’s action in sending a representative be written. Access to Railway Station. The Railway Board advised that the Department considered the present access to the Masterton station sufficient and could not incur any expenditure on a new road but would favourably consider ,an application for the use ef railway land for beautifying purposes. Mr Daniell moved that a letter be written to thq Department asking if it would supply the metal for the proposed road. He also suggested that, if a number of residents subscribed to the levelling of the roadway the Borough Council might assist.. The motion was seconded by Mr J. Caselberg and carried.

The Minister of Railways expressed regret that it had not been possible, owing to tho large amount of work involved, to circulate more copies t>f the draft railway tariff.— Received.

F. Norris wrote congratulating the Chamber on throwing meetings open te all members, but as they were held in the busiest hour of the afternoon he could not attend. If meetings were held in the evening he would attend. Ho forwarded donation of £1 qnd offered to address the Chamber for 20 minutes outlining his ideas of progress. He wanted to see the Chamber tackle (1) helping on local industries more, (2) helping to make Masterton a bigger trading centre, (3) helping the A. and P. Association at tho annual show. Mr Norris also asked the Chamber to vfrite letters of appreciation of the provision of a ladies’ rest-room and to the fire brigade. Mr Daniell moved that both the £1 and the offer be accepted. Mr Hill: Are we not going baek on our last decision?

The chairman: Decidedly we are. His £l, however, is as mueh as a subscription. Mr Ogilvy: And the Chamber of Commerce, as a public, body, doesn’t want to lose that £l. (Laughter.)

Mr Daniell then moved that the £1 be accepted as a subscription. Mr Hill: The subscription is £1 1/. Let him send along the other shilling.

Mr Perry moved that Mr Norris be informed that he would be admitted to membership on payment of another shilling and he could then address the Chamber. Mr Hill seconded the motion, which was carried. Lunch-time Meetings. Mr Daniell suggested that future meetings take place, at lunch time. It would not cut into business hours so much and would afford more time for interchange of ideas. It might not stand for long, but might be worth a trial. Mr Caselberg'said that meetings then, would bo confined to half-an-hour. Ho hardly thought the luncheon table was suitable for tho discussion of serious business. Mr Graham thought that such a luncheon once or twice a year would have its advantages. It was decided to discuss the suggestion at next meeting. Mr Caselberg presumed that Masterton people did not expect the Chamber to do anything regarding the American fleet visit. The chairman said most of the members, individually, were interesting themselves. One new member was elected.