CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Evening Star, Issue 24283, 26 August 1942, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The now council of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce met last night,* the president (Mr C. E. Begg) being in the chair. In addition to the president, vice-presi-dent (Mr J. B. Stewart), and immediate past president■ (Mr S. Lawn), the following were appointed to the Executive Committee : —Messrs J. S. Skinner, H. C. Harford, C. J. Darracott, J. Phillips, A. P. Greenfield, L. M. Wright, and J. M. Kennedy. Executive Report. The executive reported as follows; Rehabilitation Council.—lt was decided to ask the Hon. W. A. Bodkin to see that the Maniototo irrigation scheme is included in the list of suggested works under the heading of land improvement, including irrigation, which was submitted by the Public Works Department recently to the Rehabilitation Council for (he re-employ-ment of returned ex-sorviccmen. It was further decided that he be asked to have the scheme for afforestation in and around Dunedin approved by the Rehabilitation Council. War Emergency Shelters. —The Secretary reported that the basis of financial contribution towards the cost of business premises shelters was fixed throughout (he Dominion as follows ;-rThe Crown 50 per cent., local authorities 25 per cent.,' and owner and occupier 25 per cent., the 75 per cent, being paid by the locai authority on production of receipted accounts. The City Council was seeking a ruling from Wellington on the question whether a subsidy could be obtained by a iirm which was obliged to rent a property for the purpose of erecting necessary air raid shelters. The executive report was adopted. REHABILITATION. During a discussion on rehabilitation, the Chairman stressed the great part the business community could play in this sphere after the war. The Government might well have a representative of the Chamber of Commerce on the Rehabilitation Council in Wellington. Ho understood the Manufacturers’ Association had a representative on the council. Mr Begg moved that a remit embodying this suggestion be forwarded to the annual conference of the Associated Chambers at Wanganui in November. The motion was seconded bv Mr W. J Kerr. The spiritual, .moral, and physical welfare of the men was of paramount importance, staled Mr A. P. Greenfield. It was not merely a question of putting a man back into a Job. The mistakes of the last war had to be avoided. Many of the young men who had gone away to fight had broken into their careers. The utmost consideration must bo given to the question of their welfare. —The chairman's snggeslionn was approved to go forward to (he executive for consideration.