CENTRAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 29, 29 October 1920, Page 3

CENTRAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING

PLEA FOR ENCOURAGEMENT OF INDUSTRIES

STRIKES THE WORKERS' GREATEST ENEMY

/he seventh annual meeting of the iveLmgton Central Chamber of Commerce was hold Wednesday. Tile president (Mr. A. 1,. Hunt) occupicd the chair, and there was aai attendance of eleven members. Several apologies for absence were received.

| In -his presidential address .Mr. Hunt stated that it was to be hoped that the amcjdal policy of continuous strikes would at some no distant date bo r«counised by t,he worker as his . greatest enemy. Given a firm determination on the part of all sections of the community to overcome any difficulties that stoo'd in the way of tho general welfare, then, doubtless, the broad road would open up through tho mists of existing prejudice and selfishness. Tho altered conditions throughout tho countries from whom Now Zealand had previously drawn its supplies opon wide the door by which this country might fpster its own secondary industries with cuurage and confidence. The large sum lying on free deposits, in the banks did not indicate a courageous and progressive spirit while so many avenues for (food sound industrial investments awaited exploitation.'' Valuable mineral deposits remain unworked, continued Mr; Hunt. "\y« have extensive coal deposits and mountains of iron and copper which'but require the magic touch of industry to turn the same into untold wealth. Our wool is exported .in a greasy condition, and a. proportion of it mixed with-vege-table matter, whereas both scouring and carbonising are industries that should thrive in New Zealand. Then, again, wo are content to manufacture but a fraction of the woollen goods \we 'require —the bulk being imported, although tho quality of oir own manufactures is excellent. Sugar shortage is a. household phrase, notwithstanding that this country is admirably adapted for the growof sugar beet of heavy yield, both in bulk and sugar content. Not only does tho question of prico enter into this matter, but the precarious nature of our future supplies, of cane, sugar makes it. appear that upon the Establishment of the )>eet sugar industry depends whether in a' few years' timo have or no sugar.' Enormous sums are being sent away for "tobacco while tho finest quality ' leaf can bo successfully grown in many parts of the North Island. Expert. manufacture is all that it needed to make the Dominion self-supporting in this respect. In common with '.he rest of the world we are continually troubled with a paper famine, and it is surely. desirable that research work in connection with our soft, woods and fibrous glasses should lie instituted with a view to tho possibility of .establishing paper manufacture within our own ' border)). With the exception of our seaport towns the supply of fish is totally yet tho waters.of New. Zealand te-.iu with a, largo supply of this 'hwh-claw food. Given more courage anurcnterprise oil the part of capitalists, the elimination of the 'go-slow.' and strikes by Labour, and a, greater supply of it by immigration, ninny of the industries mentioned would-not only make us independent of outsido sources of supply, but also would nrovido an export surplus. Many will Bavs Labour bars the way, but . with an activo and sincere clt'ort on tho part of oniplovere to make Labour «. partner by profit-sharing schemes and an unbi.MDd trial of 6uch a system by «an« Labour,it should not > b®* impossible to overcome evon this difficulty. ■ • Tlie annual report was adopted. Tho following were appointed member* of the council—Messrs. A. I. Hunt, 11. S. Hart, J. L. Arcus, L. A. Edwards, F. Castle, W. J. Gnudin, R. J. Hardio Shaw, C. M. Luke, Charles Sinn, H. Stoekbridge, C." J. Ward, G, Cook, Jj. Cotton, w. D- pobson, K. J. Bickard, and H. A. Ueauchamp. Mr. D. M'Kay was ro-elec.ted lion, in- ' 'jfr. Wr Stuart Wilson suggested that a sub-committee should "be set up to c.onsider the question of amalgamating with the Wellington'Ch-amber of Commerce. He said it seemed a pity that in Wellington tho commercial forces of the community should lie divided, and it was anomalous "to have two chambers. Mr. Wilson raid he belonged to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, but on this matter he wba merely expressing his opinion ns a .member of the Central Chamber. As far as he was aware the other chamber had not discussed tho matter. , Mr Hunt said he .thought it extraordimiry that J£r. Wilson liad not brought the matter up in the Wellington chamber first. , He might then have had something authoritative to go upon, | Mr.'Wilson remarked that in Wellington there was not room for tw.o chambers, and if they were united they could speak with one voice. He had been i member of the Central Chamber a long while before he joined tho Wellington Chamber. Mr. F. W Moore thought that the Ceil, tral had- evinced more "life" than the Wellington Chamber, which, as far aB he could see, spoke only with a "feeble voice." ,

Mr. liiuit deprecated further discussion of tlio matter in open meeting as it was-.delioato in nature. The Central Chamber had l)cen formed not by accident, iml' f\y (lesion, and he was surprised that, Mr. Wilson had . -introduced the (juestion of amalgamation with the Wellington (Thamber in the way he had none. i\o good purpose would I>e terved by discussing-'the project openly. The ..discussion lapsed