CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Waikato Independent, Volume XLII, Issue 4002, 15 May 1942, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

APATHY OF BUSINESSMEN

POSITION IN TE AWAMUTU

From the apathy shown by Te Awamutu businessmen, the Chamber of Commerce in that town seems likely to suffer the same fate as the Cambridge organisation did years ago. A hint was given at this week’s meeting of the Te Awamutu Cham- x ber that at the end of the present financial year in June a proposal v would be put forward that the Chamber be disbanded. The proposing member said that over a period of years the number of retailers who were prepared to give one night each month to collective action, such as was made possible by the regular meetings of the , Chamber, could be counted on the fingers of one hand. It had been left to men other than those engaged in the retail business to attend the meetings, and this w r as neither fair nor reasonable nor * right. It suggested an apathetic spirit. Established over 30 years ago, Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce has performed much useful service, but of recent years the retail trader member has seceded from membership, as though quite indifferent to their own welfare and. that of the town. By their, suggest that there is neeTjplorganisation and collective effort:" A large nominal membership?is not enough; payment of subscriptions is insufficient. The function of the Chamber is to advance the welfare of the community, and in order that the Chamber may operate {here has to be a cross-section of views at ■ the \ meetings, he said. ' AA'

' In the past various methods" jiave been tried to stimulate .interest. Dinners *and social reunions have been tried and failed; outside speakers have been introduced; debates have been arranged—but -all to no avail. Fundamentally the Chamber is essentially a business institution, and should not require entertainment and other social attractions to enlist the support of business men, he added.