CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Waipa Post, Volume 41, Issue 3188, 14 August 1930, Page 5

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING.

ANNUAL ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The regular monthly meeting, followed by the annual meeting of the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce W/is held on Tuesday. The president, J. Oliphant, presided, and there were also in attendance Messrs C. G. Downes, D. McArthur, N. McAlister, jQL Bockett, F. W. Bevin, A. G. Warand G. O. Jourdain. Apologies were received from Messrs Jos. Holmes, E. W. McCarter and W. F. Woodward. New members elected were Mr G. -E West (Union Bank of Australasia) and Mr R. H. Annibal (stationmastor). The family of the late Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward thanked the Chamber for its kind expression of sympathy with them in their bereavement. The Association of Chambers of Commerce forwarded copies of the proposed trade agreement between Australia and New Zealand, which was regarded as a sensible appeal to the business community; also letters to the postal department regarding despatch and delivery of overseas mail; also letters to the Government regarding Arapuni. The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce asked for a combined conference to discuss remits to the annual meeting of the Associated Chambers. The same Chamber also convened a meeting for sth August, when an ad- - .dress on “The Case for Protection in New Zealand” will be delivered. The Auckland Chamber of Commerce wrote expressing the desire to -foster a greater community of interest between city and country Chambers. It was asked that any members --of the Te Awamutu executive should, as opportunity occurs, call at the Auckland Chamber’s office. The Auckland Chamber of Commerce asked support to its representations to the Government urging that the railways be removed from political control. It was suggested that this would put the service on a commercial Mr Downes considered there was some merit in the suggestion, though the issues involved were very far reaching. Mr Warburton expressed the view that the theory of removing any branch of the public services from political control may be very excellent, but the operation of the services may not work out according to theory. Some years ago there had been an outcry for tbe placing of the public service beyond political control and Parliament had appointed a Public Service Commissioner. Theoretically that had been quite sound, but to-day it could be seriously questioned whether it was really wise. The Public Service Commissioner is nominally responsible to Parliament, but 'it appeared to be that the departmental heads had become a power unto themselves. They were gradually creating a system of Board control and the result was a system of Government by Order-in-Council instead of by the people’s elected Parliament. Though the Public Service Commissioner was supposed to be answerable to Parliament, no Government could very well intervene against official abuses because there would at once be a suggestion for the regaining of political influence over the civil service. When it came to placing the railways under official control entirely it would likely work out that a system of domination by men who had no capital at stake would result, and that would not be a good thing. Mr Oliphant offered a suggestion that it may be better to cut the losses on the railways and sell them to a company so that control would pass to men who would have a responsibility represented by capital investment. , „ , Mr McAlister said that the fact should not be overlooked that despite all efforts to place the railway services on a payable basis, they are still a losing proposition. A form of control that would terminate the losses should be striven for. After further discussion it was decided to defer consideration until next meeting. The president reported that the * Council of the Chamber had been called together in view of requests received from residents in the Mangapiko district to consider the proposed increase in the water charges by the Borough Council. The matter had been considered and the Chamber offered to act as convener of a meeting at which the settlers and the Borough Councillors could confer with a view to an amicable arrangement being reached. This decision had been communicated to the districts concerned and the meeting had been arranged for Monday evening next. A vote of thanks was accorded Rev. Wareing for his address at the monthly luncheon of the Chamber. The annual meeting was then held. The president’s annual report was read and adopted. The balance sheet showed a c,ash credit in current account of £49 14s 4d, with £SO in deposit account, the total assets being £195 13s 4d, against which were no liabilities. Tbe statement of receipts and expenditure showed luncheon revenue £2O Is, with £l4 4s 6d expenses under the same heading. Subscriptions realised £43 Is, salary £ls, donations £6 9s and sundry administrative £l7 18s 6d were thfS outstanding expenditure items. The election of officers proceeded as follows: President, Mr F. W. Bevin; vice-president, Mr D. McArthur; auditor, Mr A. G. Warburton; Council, Messrs L. G. Armstrong, S. Clark, W. Jeffery, E. W. McCarter, N. McAlister, J. Oliphant and H. C. Rainey. Subscription was fixed as previously at £1 Is per annum. A vote of thanks was accorded the outgoing officers and the press.