BUSINESSMEN'S AFFAIRS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 183, 21 November 1941, Page 5

BUSINESSMEN'S AFFAIRS

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETS

MR G. F. THOMAS NEW

PRESIDENT

"Its up to the people of this town to keep the Chamber of Commerce afloat even, though the times mray not be as favourable as they were before the war," said the retiring president, Mr W. Sullivan, at the annual meeting last Wednesday eventing. "If we can maintain the organisation now, it will be able to continue to use its influence when normal times come again. In the past we have not met as often as we might but I think that we have dealt with the most important subjects which have cropped up. This is the place to iair questions, and I hope no member will be afraid of doing so. The? Chamber of Commerce is after all the real blow hole . of public opinion." The above statement was made by Mr Sullivan prior to the election of officers, and his remarks drew Mr A. J. Canning to his feet-in fierce endorsement. Mr Canning appealed to the younger businessmen of the town to become interested in' local affairs, and after relating some of the early struggles to obtain for tln< townspeople an improved schedule of shipping charges he recited Mr Sullivan's first public speech which he said took place at the Chamber of Commerce. The election of officers resulted: —- President-: Mr C. F. Thomas. Vice-president: Mr R. F. Smith. Secretary: Mr C. W. Good.. Council: Messrs S. N. Armstrong. Rex Morpeth, K. Schofield, R. Smythe, W. Dixon, R. Canning and C. King. Auditor: Mr R. B. Molgaard. The secretary's rcniuneraticiii was fixed at 1;> guineas, members being warm in their unstinted tributes to his worth. The question of printing the list of R.D. names and supplying them to members was discussed, Mr Reeve Canning pointing out that such a move was going to be of great assistance to the Post Office, who had informed him that already approximately 200 wrongly addressed dispatches were received per day. The matter was left in the hands of tha; secretary and the jjresident to> finalise. The resignations of Messrs C. G. C'aisley and F. R. Brown Ave re received with regret. School Swimming Pool A letter from the School Committee sought to enlist the interest of the Chamber in the: projected swimming bath which would be constructed on the High School grounds. Already, it was stated, that children had collected £40 on their own initiative, and it was suggested that the Chamber might interest itself in the possibility of twenty local firms finding £5 each to assist the fund. Mr Canning suggested school concerts as the best method of raising the cash and considered that the appeal for twenty donations, o/f £5 was a 'bit thick.' Mr Dillicar asked why limit the number to twenty, or the sum to £5. It would be better, he contended, to make the appeal general. , From the discussion it was fairl} obvious that all members present (22) strongly favoured the proposal and it Avas decided to write the co-m-» mittee complimenting it upo,n its initiative and intimating that the scheme had its full support. Public Incinerator Mr Alan Bridger urged the committee to use its influence in the hiatter of an incinerator for the town. He was, supported by Mr Dixon and by Mir Sullivan who mentioned in passing the habit of certain businessmen who tipped their rub bish and shop refuse over the embankment, merely because their premises bordered the sea and the tide came up now and again..* The matter will be held in view. Before the meeting closed, the new president welcomed Mr P. Mullins, representing the Rangitaiki Branch of the Farmers Union, and expressed the hope that his collaboration would be forthcoming in future in all matters relative to questions which would interest the rural population. Mr Mullins returned thanks for the invitation to the branch to enjoy its honorary membership.