CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 371, 15 September 1930, Page 12

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

THE PAST YEAR REVIEWED ANNUAL MEETING TO-NIGHT. A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT The annual meeting of the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce will be held to-night. The following is the annual report of the executive which will be presented on that occasion:— “Obituary: It is with regret that we have to record the death of two members of the Chamber, namely Messrs Wm. Hall and J. W. Alderton. To the relatives of the deceased gentlemen we extend our sympathy. “Membership: We regret that the number of members shows a decrease, as compared with the end of last financial year. We commenced with 168 members. Six new members were addeu, while wc lost 15, including 2 by death, and the balance being ordinary resignations, and written < ** owing to unpaid subscriptions. The total meinbeiohip now stands at 157.

“It is urgently necessary that steps be takeu to increase our membership, for the capacity of a Chamber of Com merce for effective work is limited by the strength of its membership and the measure to which those members extend their support to it. There arc business people in Wanganui who have so far failed to interest themselves in the Waugauui Chamber of Commerce, and the present members can assist their organisation by reminding those individuals that the opportunity offers for them to enrol now. “Finance: The finances of the Cham bcr arc still in a healthy condition, although on paper we have shown a deficit of £67 10s 5d on the year’s working, but it must be taken into consideration that included in the items of expenditure is a donation to the airport Board of £100; to the of New Zealand Chambers of Commerce ■ for its extended activities £2O. while £34 16s has been added to the Housing Fund, and £l4 14s written off for subscriptions unpaid, so it will be seen that the year’s activities have not actually resulted in a financial loss. “The balance sheet discloses the fact that the Housing Fund now stands at £405 18s 7d, as against £371 2s 7d, while our Accumulated Fund has decreased from £lB5 19s 2d to £llB 8s 9d, duo to the excess of expenditure over income, as explained above.

“Work of the Council: A large number of matters have been before your C juncil during the year, some of which are briefly set out hereunder. Youipresident, Mr A. E. Rankin, will, at the annual meeting, give an interesting address in connection with the trade condition of the Dominion generally, and various important phases of the Dominion’s affairs.

“Parapara Road: We have nothing much to report in connection with this very important highway, except that further representations have been made during the year for the improvement of the lower end of the road by taking off bad corner, etc. A survey has, and is being made, but we understand it will be some time yet before anything can be actually done. The matter should not be lost sight of, and continued pressure be brought upon the Highways Board to carry on the work as soon as possible. “Public Works Office: The location of the main Public Works Office at Stratford instead of Wanganui has again had the attention of your executive. The matter was taken up with the lion. W. A. Veitch, who in turn brought the matter under the notice of the Hou. Minister of Labour, bu; the latter set out several reasons in support of the contention that he could not see his way to grant the request. The Department maintained it was more advantageous to them, and that Wanganui being within such a short distance, and within easy access, it would be economically unsound for’the Department to remove the main office from Stratford.

“Airport Site; As already noted in the expenses of the Chamber for tho year, a donation of £lOO was granted towards the development of the airport site. Since that time, the Government have granted £2300 for the construction of the road, which work is being proceeded with. Your executive is represented on the Airport Committee by your president, Mr A. E. Ran-

“ Tourist Services; The question of development of tourist traffic to Waugauui has had considerable attention from your executive. Further numbers of the Chamber 's advertising booklet have been distributed to various important points, such as the chief hotels in Auckland, Chateau Tongariro, and other tourist resorts.

“A most important feature that has cropped up is the deviation of tourists from the Wanganui River which has recently been brought to light. It has been stated, and has appeared in the press, that the Government Tourist Offices in Auckland do not in any way encourage visitors to make the Wanganui River trip. It seems that visitors come down from Auckland to the Chateau Tongariro, and are subsequently takeu for a trip to Retaruke to sec the river, and after returning to the Chateau, are taken by car to National Park railway station, and from there go straight through by rail to Wellington, The executive at the present time have this matter under consideration, and the question has been taken up with Minister in Charge of Tourist and Health Resorts, besides Hon. W. A. Veitch, and Messrs. J. T. Hogan, F. Langstone, W. J. Polson and ll.’ D. Dickie, Ms.P. It is important that every endeavour should be made to bring these tourists through Wanga> nui either by way of the river or via Parapara Road. It has been suggested that if the road between Pipiriki and Raetihi was properly completed and metalled, an excellent trip would then bo available, allowing visitors to see the river from Retaruke to Pipiriki, by car to Raetihi. thence to Wanganui via I’arapara Road. Also closely running along With this nuestion, is the development of tho Wanganui River Road, which is being pushed ahead. Authoiity has boon granted for several bridges to be erected, which are important links in this highway. The tourist q. estion is a matte, that should be extensively gone into during the coming

“Transhipment of Cargo from Wellington: Complaints were again received during the year of delays in the transhipping of cargo. Your executive took up specific cases, and brought the question under the notice of the Wellington Harbour Boa.d, We understand that decided improvements have been effected in this direction, and importers are asked to communicate with the secretary if any individual cases of delays occur, when they will immediately be looked into.

“Motor Boat and Sailing Club: Every encouragement has been given by your executive to assist the Motor Boat and Sailing Club in their excellent endeavours for providing a regatta on Anniversary Day. This is a means of bringing a large number of people into town. A strong committee was formed last year to obtain finance to assist the club, and your executive was represented by Mr J. Williams, who was instrumental in obtaining a goodly guaiantee in this respect. “Mail Services: A further improvement in mail services took place during the year. A new service has been inaugurated allowing correspondence received from New Plymouth and intervening stations at 6.9 p.m. to go forward at 9.15 p.m. the same day insteaa of 8 a.m. the following day as previously, and also that the mail received from the Southbound Limited, arriving at Marton at 6.45 a.m. now arrives at Wanganui at 7 a.m. in time to connect with the postman’s first delivery, and for correspondence for Taranaki to go forward on the mail being despatched at 8.20 a.m. and which connection previously did not exist.

“In regard to the up-river parcel mail service, in response to our representations, the time for closing the parcel mail has been extended from 5 to 6 p.m., which is a great assistance to business people in forwarding small orders, that are received by the down boat on the same day. The time for handing iu telegrams on Sunday evenings has also been extended to 5 to 6 p.m. instead of 5 to 5.30 p.m. as previously. “New Court House: In conjunction with other bodies, including the Development League, Law Society and Justices of the Peace Association, your Chamber have been actively represented in proscuting the urgency for the erection of a new courthouse in Wanganui. The question of a site was a stumbling block but it has now been decided that a spot in Queen’s Park, near the old band room, would be an ideal site, and this has also been recommended by Mr Mawson, secretary of the Town Planning Association. Messrs. Burgess and Rankin are the Chamber’s representatives, and will continue to function, in conjunction with the other bodies, when necessary. “Supply of Electricity for Business Area: A representative committee of retailers and others, has been set up to negotiate with the Power Board foxconcessions in electricity charges to enable fuller use to be made of the power existing. On t’ committee your Chamber is represented by the president, vice-president, and Messrs. J. Williams and R. L. Thompson. No finality has yet been reached. “Cost of Living: The New Zealamr Farmers’ Union called a conference of representative bodies to discuss the question of the cost of living, and the declining value of primary product*, and its effect on the consumer. This committee have met to discuss this matter, and its aims are still being prosecuted, but there is nothing definite to report on the subject. The president, vice-president, Messrs T. H. Rice and R. L. Thompson are your representatives on this special committee.

“Shipments of Dairy Produce through Wanganui: A very important matter that has recently been brought home to the Harbour Board and the general community, is the fact that the Dairy Control Boaid have notified various dairy factories that owing to a reduction in steamer freight rates of 2| per cent, it will be necessary for those dairy factories to discontinue shipping their products through Wanganui, Wellington being set as the medium for future shipments. This applies to all dairy companies who have been shipping their produce through this port since November, 1924, and every means that it is possible to do are being taken to try and obviate this dictatorial policy. A strong deputation was set up, who have proceeded to Wellington twice, interviewing the Dairy Control Board and the overseas shipping companies. The matter is still being prosecuted, but there is no definite report to make on the subject at present. It is sincerely to be hoped that the results of the representations being made will be successful.

‘‘ Commercial Examinations.—During the year a further important step has been taken, by the decision of your executive to establish in Wanganui, in conjunction with the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, commercial examinations, consisting of shorthorn (speed and theory), type-writing (senior and junior), book-keeping, and handwriting. The scheme in Wellington has resulted very successfully, last year 282 candidates sat in that centre. Dates for the Wanganui examinations have now been fixed for November 24, 26, and 27 next. The syllabus for the examinations is expected to be to hand shortly, and due notice will be given for the entrance of candidates. The business men can co-operate very materially in this Chamber’s efforts by assisting in the procuring of prizes, and by notifying their intention to give preference to holders of Chamber of Commerce certificates in the subjects referred to. We trust that every support will be given to the Chamber iu its efforts in this direction. “New Zealand Land Settlement Development League: Under the auspices of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, representatives of the newly formed Land Settlement and Development League visited Wanganui, and addressed a public meeting, under the auspices of this Chamber, in connection with their aims and objects, which briefly are—to bring into full production all undeveloped and partially developed lands, and by every possible means to increase and enlarge the re turns from the soil; in all and every way to stimulate the development of our natural resources, and by public action or any other means, to secure the co-operation of town and country interests to this end.

“Town and Regional Planning: We had a visit from this Board, who sat and heard representations by various local bodies, in connection with the setting up of suitable areas for the object of which the Board is constituted. It is understood suitable necessary areas were agreed on by the various representatives of local bodies at the conference. Your Chamber was iepresented by Mr A. E. Rankin.

“Trade with Australia: During tnc year the Government decided to set up a Trade Commissioner’s Office in Australia, and Mr L. ,T. Schmitt, of the Department of Industries and Commerce, was appointed to fill the office resident as Trade Commissioner in Australia. Mr Schmitt paid an official visit to "Wanganui prior to his departure, and met members of the executive in a round table talk on matters affecting the welfare and tho interchange of trade between the two Do ininions. Good wishes go with Mr Schmitt in his mission to promote improved present trade relations. “Extended Activities of the Associated Chambers of Commerce: The 1929

annual conierence of Associated Chambers of Commerce approved of the extending of the activities of the associated body, incorporating the work of the 1928 committee and other associations. The new department came into force on January 1 last, and it is hoped that it will meet the need for longfelt want for a more intensive organisation to carry out the Associated Chamber’s work to the best degree, it is understood that further re-organisa-tion is to receive consideration at a latqr date. In order to accomplish the above object, more funds were required. The four centres contributed extensively, and the _small chambers were called upon for further assistance. Your executive voted the sum of £2O.

“Annual Conference: The annual conference of Associated Chambers of Commerce will take place at Mt. Cook Hermitage on October 22, 23, and 24, and your Mr A. E. Bankin and vice-president, Mr A. 8. Burgess, have been elected by your executive to represent this chamber. We have sent forward a very important suggestion to be discussed in connection with Empire free trade. It is the wish of the executive of the Associated Chambers that the conference "this year should not have its time taken up with a large number of remits on grounds which have already been covered; tho idea is to have more time to devote to important international subjects of the day, and in particular as they affect this Dominion. Many other matters of a minor nature have been before your executive during the year together with numerous trade enquiries of all descriptions. All these havo been carefully dealt with and finalised. “In conclusion you- executive wish again to place on record their hearty thanks to many who have assisted the Chamber in its work; to- Hon. W. A. Veitch and Mr J. T. Hogan and other Members of Parliament, who have always been only too willing to assist us, when called upon for their services. We also wish to thank Mr G. W. Currie, who has again filled the office of honorary auditor, after many years of service in this capacity. Thanks are also again extended to the press for their attendance at our meetings, and the assistance in publishing matters of interest.

Retiring Officers: At the annual meeting you will be called upon to elect the following officers: President, vice-president, seven members of the Council, honorary auditor. The following members retire, in ac cordance with Rule 22: Messrs John Morrison, T. H. Rice, I. E. Newton, F. G. Seddon, J. Williams, S. J. Goodey, and R G. Taiboys. Nominations for all offices will be accepted at the annual meeting, and the retiring members are all eligible for re-election.