CENTRAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2934, 21 November 1916, Page 7

CENTRAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MR C. M. LUKE RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT Messrs. C. ,\l. Luke (president), Thomas Forsylh, A. L. Hunt, W. J. Gaudin, S. Horner, Wm. Smith, and L. A. Edwards wero present at llto montlify meoting of tho council of the Central Chamber of Commerce, held yesterday afternoon. Ono of tho first matters that claimed the attention of mnmbors was the return which had been prepared by tho secretary (Mr. A. Pctherick), showing tho inward and outward tonnage of oversea shipping at Wellington ° and Auckland for a year past (which has already been published in full).. Mr. C. M. Liiko said that the figures wcro satisfactory, and showed that tlio position was not so bad as had been whispered to him. It was gratifying to find that- the position was so satisfactory. Tho report of tho secretary (Mr. A. Potherick) 011 tho inward and outward lonnage for tho year for the ports of Auckland and AVellington, was placed on record for futuro reference. Mr. Luke remarked that the figures did not includo the smaller boats. It was well known that Auckland had a largo mosquito fleet continually passing in and out of port. TII2 figures quoted only related to overseas shipping. T]ie secretary (Mr. Petherick) said that tho tonnage figures did not include transports or warships. Election of President. Mr. A. Leigh Hunt, vice-president, proposed tho re-election of Mr. C. M. Luke as president. He remarked that during the coming year questions would arise that would probably settle the trade relations of the world for years, indeed generations to come, and it was to their advantage to havo as president a gontleman of mature judgment and wide experience. There was no doubt that they .were very fortunate in Having such' a gentleman at the head of the Chamber. The motion was seconded by Mr. h. A. Edwards, who also dwelt upon the troublous times that were coming on tho commercial community, and it behoved them to see to their own affairs. As there were on further nominations, Mr. C. M. Luke was re-elected presi-* dent. ' Mr. Luke, in response, thanked the proposer and seconder, and others who had spoken for tho kind things they had said of him. He did think; -when he retired from active business management three years ago that he was going to have more leisure, ■ hut there were days now when he was occupied just as fully as ever ho was. He could only assume that the work he was doing was, ina measure, war work. Mr. A. Leigh Hunt was re-elected rice-president. Election of Committees. The following committees were set up:—Executive and finance:—President, vice-president, R. Hall, and L. A. Edwards. Arbitration Committee: —L. A. Edwards, Thos. Forsyth, Hall, Rogers, Smith, and S. Homer. Commercial Defence Fund:—Messrs.' Edwards, Gaudin, Hall, Smith, and : Atkins. Shipping and insurance:—Messrs. L. A. Edwards, R. Hall, L. Nelson, W. Smith, and A. R. Hislop. Legislation .-—Messrs. Forsyth, Edwards, Gaudin, Hall, Rogers, and Winder. Improved country communications:— Messrs. Gaudin, Forsyth, Bennett, Horner, Rogers, Smith, 'Winder, and Atkins. Tariff Committee The whole council. Mr. Robt. Hall was appointed a delegate of the Chamber to tho conference of the oha'inbers of commerce. Mr. Hall will take the place of Mr. E. A. Edwards, who will be absent from Wellington during the conference. Tho firm of Messrs. B. R. Collins and Co. were elected members of tho Chamber. Finance. The statement of finance showed cash in the bank, £28 2s. Id.; lettings due, £6 Os. 6d.; subscriptions, 1915-16, duo £31 10s., 1916-17 £233 25.; total, £266 4s. 7d. Accounts were passed for payment to the amount of £26 10s.