CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 31, 10 December 1948, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Last night the Whakatane Chamber of Commerce held its 34th annual meeting. During those 34 years this town has grown from a mere village with a few rather rough and homely business establishments into one of the most attractive and prosperous towns of its size in the country. Though it and its members have not been entirely free from criticism, some of it possibly not altogether undeserved, it is urndeniable that the Chamber has contributed possibly more than •any other organisation to the progress of this town. In his annual report, published on Wednesday, Mr R. T. Morpeth drew attention to an impressive list of matters in which the Chamber has interested itself in the past year for the benefit of the community at large. In most of those matters, he said, good progress' had been made, but in all cases they would be perused to a satisfactory conclusion. - There speaks a man determined to finish what he starts; resolved that, having set hand to the plow, he will work until the crop is harvested. If that same spirit actuates this year’s executive—and the Chamber has elected a strong team —then Whakatane -can look forward* confidently to another year of progress. * One often hears it said of Chambers of Commerce that they waste a lot of effort hammering at things * over which they have no control. True, they have no administrative status; but no sensible citizen would deny that their advice on almost any community matter should be worth having, because the Chambers of Commerce are truly representative of all types of undertakings, and of most callings. Their members are men who have attained some standing in their chosen occupations. There is no doubt/too, that Chamber of Commerce advice is often heeded in high places. One only has to watch some idea that was originally put forward by such an organisation pushed to fruition, step by step, to realise that, though it might not have power to implement its own ideas in all cases, the Chamber of Commerce certainly has the power and the backing to get action from others. To a degree that is so here, and it can be fairly said that there are few constructive proposals put before the local Chamber that it has failed to espouse. It is an organised body of experienced business men which can be relied upon nearly always to put its weight behind any scheme that stands to benefit this town and district. Citizens should use its influence more and give it full support in any of its moves in their interests.