CENTRAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 207, 21 May 1918, Page 8

CENTRAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL

HYDRO-ELECTRIC LEAGUE

PROPOSED

A mooting of the council of the Central Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday. Mr. A. Leigh Hunt, vice-presi dent, occupied the ohair. Messrs. Clundon Bros', and Lowe Bros., of the Lower Hutt> were admitted to membership. Mr. L. A. Edwards iros appointed to represent the chamber on the council of tho New Zealand Workers' Educational Association. A Tetter wae received from tt* Auokland Chamber of Commerce in reference to a letter sent last month from the Central Chamber giving particulars of the shipment of motors brought to NewZealand by a certain Bteanier. The Auckland Chamber eaid: "Oμ information leads us to believe that a muoh larger number of motor-cars than you quote were landed , from ; lipweyer, we are satisfied with your support of the general principle ot the limitation of non-essen-tial goods." Hydro-Electric League. Pieports on the visit of tho recent delegation to the head waters of the Mmigahao in connection with tie hydro-eleo-trie scheme for tho AVellington district were road from the chamber's representatives, Messrs. H. Tolley and W. Cotton. These gentlemon were accorded a hearty vote of thanks. In proposing the vote the acting-chairman (Mr. Hunt) offered the suggestion that tho Tital importance of the question to everyone warranted | tho formation of a league comprising re- j preventatives of thti loccil bodies interested j which would be persistent—absolutely persistent. They all knew the way in which the Auckland people had got tho'Main Trunk rallway,through. It was for them to form some body which would persist in urging the prosecution, of a hydroelectric soheme. The Wellington City Counoil was vitally interested, so were j other bodies. If such a league were set; \fp, ho would like to see Messrs. Luke j and Lowe, the chamber's representatives. | Air. L. A. Edwards said that they should not commit themselves to any scheme j until they knew what was tho best j echeme, and for that they had to depend j .on the experts—the engineers. Hβ was j keen on pushing forward with tho work, | and when it was known that 90 per cent, of coal went to wnste thoy would realise tho value of a practical hydro-electro scheme. The eottlement of the returned soldiers on the land was a failure, owing to the land being in many cases unsuitable and tho conditions too severo, but the prosecution, of tho preliminary work in connection with the eqheme which might be favoured offered suitable employment for many of the men; - One member, of. the council considered that the work was of such importance that thoy might get someone to stump the district on the question. It. was a question of push, push, push, if they wished to get anything done. Mr. J. P. Atkins said that the Government would do nothing without counting heads. With them it was votes, vote 3, votes all the time. No chamber of commerce could .shift them-they (the Government) counted the heads every time. (Laughter.) The chairman moved: "That the Palmeratou North Chamber of Commerce be conferred with with a view to forming a nydro-elech'o league, to consist of delegates from all interested bodies for the purpose of actively urging the commencement of the primary works of a scheme to supply electricity by water power to the Wellington district." „-.„. This motion was seconded by Mr.. Edwards. It was also decided to suggest thafa conference be held in Paluierston North during tho winter show there next month. Mr. Edwards pointed out that they should not commit themselves to the Mangahao scheme. That was the scheme I to which Palmerston North was wedded. All they wished to forward was a scheme —tho lwst scheme in the estimation of the exports. ; . . ■

Technical Education. From tlie Napier Technical College Board the following resolution wiw re-ceived-.—"That this board cordially, invites the co-operation of chambers of commerce throughout the Dominion in impressing upon the Government the need for making adequate provision for tho development of technical education, in view of the intense struggle for industrial and commercial supremacy that will follow after war." On the motion of Mr. J. F. Atkins it was decided to forward tho resolution to the Chambers of Commerce Association., The Lnvercurgill Chamber wrote, questioning whether a testing charge of ,£lO for a 20-ton weighbridge a not out of all proportion'to the service rendered. .Some membew woro inclined to think th'at the services su rendered might bo worth the fee. It was decided to.make inquiries into tlie matte?, and lei the Invercargill Chamber know Iho result. The president (Mr. C. M. Luke) mentioned that cho EmpiTe Service League Conference would be held in the Town. Hall ou May 23 mid 24, and representatives from the chiticber were invited to attend. Mr. Edwards eaid that the league's ideals were the highest, and nienibsts should attend the conference as

a duty. Mr. C. M. Luke was appointed the chamber's official delegate. The next general meeting of the chambor was fixed for Tuesday, May 28. On that evening Mr. Thomas Forsyth (a member of the Wellington Education Board) will read a paper on several important phases of education.