CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Wairarapa Daily Times, 16 March 1932, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

ORDINARY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Masterton Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon, Mr T. F. Watson presiding. Miss E. James, who is walking through New Zealand advertising New Zealand goods, wrote stating that she would arrive in Masterton at o p.m. on 22nd March.

The Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce wrote in reference to exchange and interest rates, urging that there be reductions in interest by 20 per cent, and no further reduction to be made in wages until this had been done. —The letter was received, as these matters were being dealt with by Parliament.

Mr Michael moved:—“That this Chamber protests strongly against the suspension of the Supreme Court sittings in Masterton, on the ground that while any saving thus made by the State will be slight, heavy additional cost and great inconvenience will be imposed on litigants and others in this district having business with the Court. Members of the legal profession have stated that the additional expense entailed in taking a single case to Wellington will often exceed considerably the annual saving made by the Government in suspending the sittings. The Chamber feels, in these circumstances, that the decision to suspend the sittings is based on. a complete and intolerable disregard of the interests of this district, and demands that the decision be reversed.” He stated that the Government savings bv the suspension of the Court would be little, and the expenses of witnesses, etc., in connection, with the removal of local cases to Wellington, would be considerable. Mr IT. 11. Daniell seconded the motion, and spoke very strongly in support of the holding of the Supreme Court sittings in Masterton. He gave instances of how costs would be gieath increased by local cases having to be heard in Wellington. Mr Daniell said that local members of the legal profession had already forwarded a protest against the suspension of the sittings to the Chief Justice, by whom these matters were dealt with. Sir Michael Myers had replied that for this year, at any rate/ nothing could be clone, exeep that a judge might be sent' up to deal with mortgagors’ relief applications. One point that had been made was that the cost of a jury panel would be saved. , Mr W. L. Free stated that it was noticeable that as soon as an economy affected a particular district, a cry went up against it in that district. They should take a wider view than that. • Mr Michael, in reply, said that it was suggested that what should be considered was the cost to the. country at which any necessary service was rendered, rather than the share of the cost borne bv a particular authority. In this case, the, total cost of the service to the country would be increased jv the suspension of the Supreme Court sittings. . . The motion was carried, and is to be forwarded to the Minister for Justice. (SHOPPING WEEK. Mr Watson reported on the Shopping Week, and said that everybody approached had given assistance. The project was a success, and there was a credit balance of £lO, which was handed over to the Mayor’s Unemployment Fund. , ~ Mr R. Russell said that the result had been very gratifying. Mr Watson said that the financial result achieved would not have been possible had the Masterton Borough Council 'not given the use of the hall free for the community sings, etc. The British Manufacturers’ Association had expressed appreciation of the excellent displays in Masterton during Shopping Week, and also of the cooperation of the Chambei of om meree. The Wellington Manufacturers’ Association had donated tlnec medals. Essay prizes had been donated by tlie local newspapers. Another donation was that of the proprietress ot the Empire Hotel in boarding representatives. The financial statement presented by Mr Watson was as follows: Receipts. Shop window entrance fees, £7 8s; collection, orchestral concert, £9 _6s Id; collection, community sing, £l-) 9s Id; collection, dancing display, £1 Ss; total, v- 11s °d Payments: Cash prizes «, Cower Board (coloured lights), £5; community sing expenses, £6 4s; advertising, > printing, £1 3s 6d; tuning piano 10s; Hostages, 2s 8d; engraving medals, 8s 6d; total, £23 Us. 2d. This left, as stated a balance of £lO, which has been added to the Mayor’s Unemployment Fund. It was decided, on the motion of Mi Free seconded by Mr Russell, to thank all who had assisted in the. Shopping Week.