CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16750, 17 March 1926, Page 8

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MEETING AT TE AWAMUTU. IMMIGRATION' QUESTION. The usual meeting of the Te Awanuitu Chamber of Commerce was held last evening, when the president (Mr 11. A. Coyne), presided over a fair attendance.

Mr Oliphant. who had represented the Chamber at the conference held in Wellington in connection with the immigration question, detailed what had been done' at that meeting. He pointed out that mucn valuable work had been done; though, until the seal of the Government had been placed upon the Association, it seemed to be futile to give details to the press. The matter was left in Mr Oliphant's hands and a hearty vote of thanks to Messrs Reid and Oliphant was carried with acclamation.

Fire Premiums. The General Secretary, the Council of Fire and Accident Underwriters' Association of New Zealand, in replying lo the Chamber's request for another reduction, said that a careful comparison of Te Awamutu with other towns' of similar nature showed that any further reduction in the classification, is not justified. He added that on receipt of information promised by the Borough ■ Engineer his Council would be pleased to consider the question of including in the reduced classification area the following portion of the Borough, viz., southeast of Park Roard and cast of Carlton Street.

After a further discussion Mr Warburton gave notice of motion to move at the next meeting of the Chamber, a?, follows: "That this Chamber take slops to establish a Fire Board in Te Awamutu; that the Underwriters' Association he informed of this intention and be invited to send a representative to the'meeting at which this proposal is brought forward; further, that this Chamber considers the reduction in premium rates inadequate in that lliey do not apply to rateable properties which are pledged to the lire prevention loan, such being contrary to the promises made by the Underwriters when the loan was sanctioned."

Price of Ber.zlne.. The Provincial Secretary of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union drew the attention of the Chamber to the price of benzine. This matter had been discussed by his executive who held the opinion that consumers were expecting a reduction for supplies from bulk; instead of this, the Companies increased the price of case benzine so that bulk remains at the previous case charge. The point, however, is that farmers generally and especially the way-back men must of necessity buy case benzine and they are being penalised in o"uer to allow large consumers in the cities lo purchase in bulk. The whole tiling is inequitablo to all classes of consumers, especially to the farmers. They asked the Chamber lo endorse their protest. Members admitted that the allegations were true, but thought that the rr.atter might wait until. the present scheme had been brought into practice a good deal more than it has at present. * It was eventually decided to support Hit protest.

General. The acting secretary of the Railway Board advised that the board had decided to accede to the request that the Department's cottages at Te Awamutu should be connected with the borough sewerage system, and instructions had been given for the work lo be put. in hand. The. Hon. Minister for Health thanked Hie Chamber for its kind message of congratulation on the occasion of his call to the Ministry of Health.

The general secretary. N.Z. Sports Protection League, asked for the Chamber's support of legislation which will provide for what is known in the United Kingdom a "summer time.'' It was felt that New Zealand was lagging behind, and that a determined effort should be made to get-the legislation passed by the present Parliament. — Members seemed to think that the scheme made for greater efficiency, though one or two spoke strongly against it. It was decided to support the league in its efforts. Tlfe Wangnnui Chamber of Commerce drew" attention to the postal clearance. Tee of 3d per packet on parcels coming through the Department on which duly was paid, and pointed out the regulations have now been extended, and the charge of .Id per packet, is also made, where primage only is payable, and in addition on batches of printed matter and incidental packets where the value is in t high enough lo warrant duty being levied. They consider that the charge should only be levied when actual duty is payable. They asked for an expression or opinion from the Chamber with a view lo concerted aclion. —Received.