TE AWAMUTU CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Waipa Post, Volume VII, Issue 329, 10 July 1914, Page 4

TE AWAMUTU CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

THIRD ANNUAL DINNER,

The third annual dinner of the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce, which took place at the Te Awamutu Hotel on Wednesday evening was attended by forty members of the Chamber and visiting delegates from neighbouring local bodies, chambers of commerce and branches of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union. The function was a most pleasant one, the . whole of the arrangements from start to finish reflecting great ‘credit upon all those responsible. The dining-room in which the dinner was served had been suitably arranged to accommodate those present, and the general arrangement was most creditable. The fare provided was excellent, and no fault whatever could be found with the catering. Mr. Alex. Young presided, Mr M.C. Lawson occupying the position of vice-chairman.

Immediately before the dinner was served the chairman, on behalf of the Chamber, extended a welcome to the visitors, and in appropriate terms welcomed all present. Dinner was then served.

The toast, “The King,” was proposed and drunk with musical honours, after which the chairman read the following apologies: From Mr J. A. Young, Member for the district, “ Please accept my best wishes for the success of third annual gathering of your Chamber to-night, as owing to Parliamentary duties I am unable to be present. Your Chamber has done useful work in the past. May it continue to prosper.” From Mr A. S. Wallace, chairman of the Town Board, saying that unforeseen circumstances had necessitated his absence from the district. From Mr W. F. Stewart, acting-president of the Chamber, that through indisposition he was unable to be present. He expressed the hope that it would be an enjoyable and instructive evening, as was the wish and intention of the late esteemed president (Mr von Sturmer), when he inaugurated the function. Other apologies were received from Revs. Kayll and Clarke, Drs Crosby, Henderson, Reekie, Messrs H. Munro Wilson, W. Cook, W. Morrison, R. Lord, W. Johns, S. C. Mathews, G. M. A. Ahier, H. Y. Collins, W. G. Kav, J. Oliphant, and F. ID. Wood. The chairman made special reference to the absence of Mr W. F. Stewart, and paid a high tribute to the very genuine interest he had taken in the affairs of the Chamber.

Mr J. H. who proposed the toast of “ Commercial Interests,” delivered a most capable, interesting, and instructive address, in the few minutes at his disposal cleverly dealing with many commercial questions of the hour. He prefaced his remarks by brief comparison of commerce in the past and commerce of today. Looking back half a century he described New Zealand, although in size and shape the same, a bare and barren country, producing hardly sufficient to maintain the few natives. By way of comparison the speaker instanced Bishop Selwyn’s journey of twenty-one days between Wellington and Auckland, which journey to-day, thanks to commercial enterprise, was done in twenty-one hours. Our commercial success had been the result of the industry and integrity of commercial men, who had used the natural resources of the land to best advantage. He made passing reference to the early days of barter —primitive commerce —its growth and development, until to-day commerce ruled the world, and was a determining factor in leading up to and assuring the peace of all nations. The morale of the nations was largely governed by commerce, which called for honesty and integrity in all commercial enterprises, and in this New Zealand held well her place amongst the countries , of the world. He briefly referred to the effects of commerce being regulated by opposing influences, instancing the liquor industries upon which, although there was great diversity of opinion, it was necessary that the question be regarded from a broad-minded and sound commercial standpoint. In our own town, and in our own country, were evidences of business acumen. The country was being developed and prosperity was the result. He concluded his remarks by emphasising the need of clean and healthy opposition in commerce, which went to build up a prosperous Dominion —the home of a people of industry and integrity. Mr M. C. Lawson, responding to this toast, made reference to the credit system and its effects upon commerce. He enlarged upon the dangers of merchantmen giving indiscriminate credit, which he held to be bad for business and bad for the country. Industrial unrest, too, was a feature

of commerce which haddisastrous effects, and he referred to the recent strike, by which it was hoped to “paralyse industry” and endanger commerce. .

Mr H. Andrew, also responding, classed commercial interests under three heads —the producer, the middleman, and the consumer. Each served a necessary purpose in commerce. The producer had to look to quality and always endeavour to maintain a high standard of produce. The middleman was necessary in commerce and was useful provided he remained within the bounds of honest trading, although he vfould be equally dangerous if allowed to get out of control, and he referred to the tendency in some lines of commerce for trusts and combines to be formed. Such was dangerous and wrong in commercial principle. The consumer owed a duty to commerce and a duty to his country. It was for him to support his country and assist the industry of the land that meant so much to him, and this he could best do by using the produce of his country.

After emphasising the importance of the toast, “The Town Board,” Mr W. Jeffery likened the members of the Board to a Board of Directors of the ratepayers’ property. They must be sound and broad-minded men, and men of integrity. They were severely criticised, as there was always a great diversity of opinion as to the work of public bodies, but he reminded his hearers that the finest characters the world has known were always severely criticised. He held that the members of our public bodies were true citizens, as true citizenship demanded that every man should do some work for the common weal. He touched briefly upon the relationship between the Chamber of Commerce and the local authorities, and emphasised the value of suggestion, assistance and advice. In conclusion he held that for sound and effective administration it was necessary that more than five members constitute a Town Board, and c’ontended that seven or nine members should be elected —a sentiment with which those present were apparently in full accord. Mr D. Bockett, who responded on behalf of the Board, conveyed an apology from the members of the Board for non-attendance. As town clerk he was pleased to be present and to speak on behalf of the Board. It was sometimes suggested that the members of the Board were the servants of the people, but it was wrong to regard them as such, for they were the people’s elected representatives. He rhade passing reference to the amount of work administered by the present Board which, in the current term, had far exceeded that of the earlier days. (Applause). He referred to the loss sustained by the Chamber, the town, and the district, by the death of the late president. “ Where would we all be but for Agriculture ? ” was the question raised by Mr. Spinley, who rose to propose the^toast “ Agriculture.” Te Awamutu was a district second to none for agriculture, and when fully developed was capable of vast output. He spoke of the evident lack of cooperation amongst the farming community, instancing the question of soil testing and manuring. Te Awamutu was well known for the high standard of cattle and horses bred in the district, but he explained the need of maintaining a recognised breed of cattle, and in . this there should be greater co-operation amon'gst the farmers. Compared with commerce agriculture had not made the same progress, and this showed how essential it was for scientific methods to be introduced on the farm. The proposed technical school with agricultural laboratories attached was likely to give very valuable information to the farmers, and would lead to a training which would be of inestimable value. Unfortunately the farming community had not recognised the value of the technical school, and had not given the support financially or morally to the proposal that may reasonably have been expected. He went on to pay a' tribute to the Farmers’ Union as a body for the betterment of agricultural interests, and spoke in high praise of the very genuine interest manifested in local farmmatters by Mr C. M. Alexander, who had always been to the fore in promoting the welfare of the district.

Responding to the toast Mr. C. M. Alexander prefaced his remarks by emphasising the importance of agriculture especially to this district. Te Awamutu was a good centre of agriculture, and the land was capable of ten times the output of the present day, which, by the adoption of scientific methods he firmly believed would soon come about. Referring to soil testing he mentioned the difficulties of the chemical test as soil values

differed So much even in a small area. There was only one way ® of testing soils—by experiment. , Farming was most difficult to learn, and few men, if any, could claim to know aIP about agriculture. Climatic conditions had to be contended with. He referred to the strike and expressed the hope that he would never see a recurrence of what took place last, year. Strikes were no good to the men themselves, were bad for the farming community, and bad indeed for the country. Touching upon the question of large areas and land aggregation he expressed the opinion that farmers were quickly realising the value of small farms, and well-farmed farms. A man holding 1,000 acres would soon find that it was to his advantage to dispose of nine-tenths of it. He touched upon the Kawa swamp, its importance as affected local agriculture and commerce, as being lands capable of intense farming. He explained the acquisition of these lands by a syndicate, and then by a limited liability company, and urged that the Government be prevailed on to acquire the property for sub-division. He urged for greater co-operation amongst the farmers for the betterment of agricultural . interests, and expressed the opinion that the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce had given very valuable assistance in many desired directions for district development and improvement. To emphasise this he referred to the rural telephone system, which had already proved its value ; the farmers would hot be without the ’phone to-day. He regretted that the farmers had not given greater and more ready response to the technical school proposals, which meant so much to the district and so much to them.

Mr. Innes Jones, responding, said it was sometimes held that land values were too high, but that was a matter really determined by the farmer. If the farmer was a live man and went in for intense farming then his land would not be too highly valued, as after all land could only be valued according to what it was capable of producing. In this district was land capable of a much increased output by the adoption of scientific methods and intense cultivation. He also urged the farmers to work together as much as could be reasonably expected as after all their interests were one, and it should be their one desire to promote those interests. Mr. S. J. Fortescue also responded and touched upon the importance of agriculture and its bearing upon commerce of to-day. The toast, “ Chamber, of Commerce,” was proposed by Mr Mostyn Jones (president of the Te Kuiti Chamber of Commerce), who prefaced his remarks by making brief reference to the loss sustained by the Chamber by the death of its late president. Mr von Sturmer had been held in the highest esteem by the Chambers of Commerce in the King Country. Continuing he went on to refer to the potentialities of the King Country, and.urged that the several chambers pull together for the thorough development of its resources. »He referred to the parochial views of some who were always ready to endeavour to “ knock some other town out,” but to his mind if one town was to prosper at the expense of another, then that was not development at all. The Te Awamutu Chamber had worked on broad lines. It had worked for the advancement of Te Awamutu and district, and had been ever fleady to assist the progress of affairs beyond its own district. Its progress had been phenomenal and that was largely because the Chamber had recognised the farmer as a man of commerce.

Mr A. Young, responding, referred to the value of the visits of delegates from neighbouring public bodies. The intercourse of ideas and suggestions which resulted was of benefit to all. He regretted the circumstances had placed him in the chair. The Chamber had missed the guiding hand of Mr von Sturmer, but if his aims were carried out the Chamber was bound to be a sound institution and a valuable institu-' tion. It was for them to carry out the gocd work that had been commenced by ? their late president, which it was easy for them to do, as the foundation he had laid was' such as would enable them without difficulty to assure the success of the Chamber. He concluded his remarks by giving a brief resume of the year’s, work.

Mr. A. J. Bray, also responding, enlarged upon the benefits to be derived from the energies of the Chamber. A great deal of work had beeh done in the past, but there yet remained very many matters calling for attention. He concluded his remarks bv referring to the decision of the Town Board to spend a few hundred pounds upon the library building. It was not for a member of the board or the Board collectively, for a member of the chamber, or the Chamber in meeting, or for

any individual to say that any loan proposal would be “ turned down.” That was for the people to say, and he thought that the people would sooner spend a reasonable sum for permanent buildings rather than have a few hundred pounds wasted on temporary improvements. He, therefore, was of the opinion that a loan would be authorised (applause). If, however, the loan proposal was rejected it was then time for £he Board to undertake the present wofks. He hoped the Chamber, with the library committee, would urge the Board, to submit a loan proposal. He also supported the suggestions made with regard- to the Kawa Swamp. Rev. Father Lynch proposed the toast, “ The Visitors,” and in a happy speech expressed pleasure at the attendance of the several delegates from other public bodies.

Mr H. Benner (president of the Otorohanga Chamber of Commerce) replied thanking the Chamber for its kind hospitality. In a few well chosen remarks he touched upon the value of such gatherings, and hoped they would mingle more frequently, and in matters for the advance of the whole district would always be found working shoulder to sho.ulder.

Mr McGhie (delegate from the Rangiaohii Road- Board) also responded, and congratulated the Chamber upon the good work if: had undertaken and successfully accomplished. He wished the Chamber many happy returns of the day. The toast “ Host and Hostess,” (Mr and Mrs Jackson) was proposed by the chairman immediately before the gathering dispersed. In doing so he congratulated them upon the manner in which all arrangements had been completed.

Mr Jackson suitably though briefly responded.

The several toasts were interspersed with musical items which in turn were much appreciated.

Mr G. Dalton acted as accompanist and also played an overture. Songs were contributed by Messrs J. Elliott, E. A‘ Chamberlain, G. Dalton, and C. F. Seaward. A violin solo was contributed by Mr E. Moeller. The proceedings closed by the sin ging of the National Anthem.