CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1482, 3 July 1912, Page 11

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Messrs. A. E. Mabin (president), T. AV. Rillin<*er, Jas. M'Lellan, C. AV. Jones,' A. Leigh Hunt, A. S. Hiss, and T. C. Dawsen 'were present at a meeting of the ccuncil of the Wellington Chamber of Commwco held yesterday afternoon. ■ Tho following new members' were elected: —Messrs. John Brodie, R. AV. Burbitlge, AV. A. Hudson, S. Turner, and J. D. Cruickshank. . Tho president mentioned that the secretary (Mr. H. D. A 7 ickery) had a scheme for improving tho membership of the Chamber by issuing to all business men a circular pointing out the aims and objects of the Chamber. After the circular had been read the president said that, with a largely >'nceascd membership, the Chamberwould bo a much more effective body than it was at present. It would also tend to mako their funds more elastic. If they hail more money they could, for instance, have made, arrangements to entertain tho Right Hon. Mr. James Bryce, and could obtain his views on the Panama Canal and other important questions affecting commerce. It was decided that the circular be printed and issued forthwith. The question of having some definite anangement regarding holidays in AVeli'.iigton then came up for consideration. 'ihe presidont-said that formerly some ui'.inimity on the observance or otherwise of doubtful holidays was obtained by Mr. S. Carroll, the late secretary of the Chamber, who used to go round and interview tho merchants and induce them to agree to a definite line of action. Now, however, they had a "mix-up,", this being evidenced by what had happened on tho Prince of AA'alos's Birthday. As no carrying business was being done, and it was a wharf holiday, tho clerks in somo houses wcro kicking their heels all day long doing nothing. He thought that some step should bo taken by the Chambe." to rectify that sort of thing. Mr. T. Bollinger remarked that somo of the awards specified that when certain huidays occurred on a Sunday they wero to be observed on the succeeding Monday. It was so in tho case of the Drivers' Union.

It was decided that a meeting be held within a month to discuss tho question of the uniform observance (or otherwise) of oeitain holidays in ellingtan, and to bnng down a report on the same. Mesp. E. G. I'ilcher, A. S. Biss, .las. JI Lellan, and tho president (Mr. Mabini were appointed a sub-committee to revise tho by-laws of the Chamber.