CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3208, 18 September 1934, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

REASONS TOR NOT JOINING MOST EFFECTIVELY ANSWEEED Twelve business men (reports an English journal) were asked why they had not.joined the Chamber of Commerce. Below are their reasons, ■ and the replies given:— No. 1 said.—"l don't like the way they are running things." Reply.—" Then why don't you get in and heltp to change them. If you are right-others will agree with you. The Council of the Chamber is composed of chosen representatives. If they were in charge of a .business concern' you would be willing to put all your savings in it on the strength of their standing. Have you ever given them any suggestion or written or spoken to them about it? How can you fairly criticise and refuse help?" No. 2 said.—"l haven't time to attend the meetings." Reply.—" Well, that shouldn't prevent you paying a subscription. Other men give both time and money. You ought to be willing to give money alone. You can't afford to miss meetings; you'll get new ideas, new thoughts and new energy." No. 3 said.—" They hold too many dinners." Reply.—"lf the members desire to eat a dinner together once a year, surely you can't object. Dinners bring men together, create acquaintanceship and friendship. As Dr. Johnson said: 'They lubricate business'." "Too Many Clubs." No'. 4 said. —"I belong to too many clubs already." Reply. —"The Chamber of Commerce is not a club. It is a commercial organisation for the general welfare of the whole community, and no man can decently shirk his fair share of work by pleading heavy club expenses ." No. 5 said. —"My firm is a member already." Reply.—" Well others might say, 'So is ours.' Firms only give financial support. Time, energy arid personal interest are equally important elements of imemlbership. Because your firm has taken a membership in no way relieves you from doing your share."

No. 6 said.—" You have enough without me."

Reply.—"No excuse could be more selfish than that. Because other«men are vailing to pull a load up a hill is no reason why you should catch on behind and ride.- You share in the benefits of the work of the Chamber, why not push behind? The more members the Chamber has the more it can do."

No. 7 said.— fYm begged to death now."

Reply.—" Few men give away more money than they should. The men who approach you for support are giving both time and money. If you can get off for money alone you're doing well. Do you really regret anything you ever gave for such a movement? Hasn't your generosity brought you many valuable acquaintances and business connections?" No. B.—" I can't afford it."

Reply.—" There must be few business men who can't afford 2d a day to advance the interests of their own business of their district and of the country by a strong Chamber of Commerce organisation." 1 "Nothing In It." No. 9 said. —"There's nothing in it for me." Reply.—"lt is said that some men join a Church for what they can get out of it. The Chamber of Commerce is no good to any man who wants to use everything- for his own selfish ends. The work of the Chamber will help him indirectly very considerably. Do you cancel your life insurance because you do not die Members must not expect they can buy new hats on Chamber of Commerce dividends, but business men receive benefits from the Chamber of Commerce and are indebted to it."

No. 10 said.—"l haven't any use for the people at the back of this." Reply.—" Well, we don't like men when we don't know them well. The man who doesn't like any large proportion, of his acquaintances should s'tert fault-finding with a mirror." No. 11 said.—" Others in my line are not members; why should I be?" Reply.—" Because other men are shirking taxes doesn't excuse you. The man who hides behind other men's failures to do their duty is hard up for an excuse. You should be an example to your trade—not one of its problems." No. 12 said.—"l'm with you in spirit, but I'll join later." Reply.—" The real way to convince the president that you are with him is to join now. All lose by you putting it off, and you. lose the most. Get it out of the way and join up at once."