A Chamber of Commerce for Feilding

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 137, 9 May 1893, Page 2

A Chamber of Commerce for Feilding

* A meeting convened by the Major of Feilding was held at tbe Foresters' Hall yesterday evening for the purpose of considering the advisability of forming a chamber of commerce for Feildiug and district. There was a largo attendance not only of business and professional men but also of tho pastoral and agricultural interests. The Mayor was voted to the chair. The Chairman stated that some twelve months ago a meeting was called for this purpose, but from various causes the project was not proceeded with, and lapsed for a tune. However he thought it ad visablo to tako tho steps he had now done aa he considered it would tend greatly to the advantago of the town and district. Some people thought that a chamber of commorco would only apply to tradesmen, but his opiuion was that the mercantile community would bo enabled to meet and discuss on commercial and other matters of interest and benefit to the traders and agriculturists generally. Somo six or seven years ago, a similar institution had been formed in Palmerston. and it had proved of great benefit to the mercantile classes in that town. The chairman road a letter of apology from Mr Manson who was unavoidably unable to bo present, and after reading the Articles of Association of tho Wellington and Dunedin, Chambers, invited a discussion from those present. Mr Sandilands said he considered that it was necessary to tako somo steps in the matter. The business people of Feilding were somewhat slow in pushing their interests, but by forming an Association of this kind. Feilding would becomo better known in other towns. Mr Bastings thought that nature had been most bountiful to tbo district of wbich Feilding was the centre, and many pooplo in this province had no idea of the productive quality of the land about here. Ho considered that Feilding stood out pre- eminent, and had a great future before it, and that it would ultimately be the most prosperous town on this coast. A chamber of Commerce would bo of great good to tho community. Tho com merce of this place is small at present, but the speaker contended that in years to come, it would ultimately be tho emporium of this coast. The land isthe backbone ofthe country, and with Feilding for a centre there was everything capable of supporting a large industrial community. Mr Fergusson said ho thought they should go straight nhead, and " strike whilst tho iron was hot." There were a number of questions which could be dealt with. For instance, take the matter of railway freights. If in the next three months they succeeded in getting a reduction of charges their labonrs would not bo in vain. Mr Carthew thought they should start right, and know how they oucht to go on. Did these chambers work together? Mr Lethbridge said thoy made joint reports to Government on important subjects, and his remarks wero endorsed by Mr Bastings who had had to deal with these topics in Dunedin. Mr Carthew was of opinion that if there was a kind of union amongst chambers of commerce, one ought certainly to be formed here. Mr J. C. Thompson asked what expenses would be incurred ? The chairman thought a lOs subscrip tion would suffice. After further considerable discussion Mr Bastings proposed, and Mr Walter Bailey seconded, That in the opinion of this meeting, taking into consideration the vast extent of first-class arable land covering an enormous area, of which Feilding is the centre, that it, will be conducive to the interests and advancement of this town and district, to form a chamber of commerce whose functions will be to watch over the developeraent ofthe trading, commercial, agricultural, pastoral, and dairying industries. — Carried unanimously. Mr Lethbridge proposed, and Mr Retemeyer seconded, That the annual subscription be lOs per annum. Mr Bastings considered that this sum would be insufficient and moved an amendment, which Mr Walter Baileyseconded, That the annual subscription bo one guinea. The amendment was carried by 14 votes to 12. Dr. Monckton then proposed, and Mr Lethbridge seconded, That a committee of thirteenbe appointed. — Carried. The chairman then called for nominations for the committee, when the fol* lowing gentlemen were chosen : — Messrs Lethbridge, Bastings, Carthew, Cobbe, Monckton, Haybittle, Allen, Goodbehere, Richmond, Walter Bailey, Sandilands, Matheson, and Gruar. Dr. Monckton next proposed, and Mr J. C. Thompson seconded, That the committee elect their own officers. — Carried. Most of those present gaye in their names as intending members. The meeting then adjourned, after passing the customary vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding.