VITAL NECESSITY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20049, 22 September 1939, Page 5

VITAL NECESSITY

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WMROA ANNUAL MEETING APATHY OF BUSINESSMEN (Special to the Herald.) WAIROA. this day..

"The Chamber of Commerce is a vital necessity in the town. ’ stated Mr. H. L. Harker, when speaking to (he president's report, at the annual meeting of the Wairoa Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Harker slated that all realised it was a very up-hill task trying to run any organisation if the members v/c-re not enthusiastic. There was no doubt that the chamber had been instrumental in bringing about the number of amenities Wairoa had today, not the least being the completion of the railway service to Wairoa. The chamber was there to bring before the authorities concerned little and big things that were overlooked and not under the jurisdiction of other local bodies. Referring to the present European situation, Mr. Harker stated that the war would not only affect business, but the times also would be affected. They had lived on cake for a number of years and now they would have to live on biscuits and cheese. Mr. J. •!. Millar slated that they all realised the present times of stress were going to affect them in business and in their general lives. He had not the slightest doubt as to the ultimate issue, but, in his opinion, it was necessary for everyone to have a continued philosophy of cheeriness from now to the end of the conflict. Election of Officers The following were elected to hold office for the ensuing year:—-Presi-dent, Mr. R. Dr.vden; vice-president, Mr. O. J.'Pinel; executive committee, Messrs. S. M. Ashburn, C. Kent, J. M. Angus, A. E. West, and W. M. Hood; auditor, Mr. 3. J. Millar

In thanking those present for his election as president, Mr. Dryden referred to the apathy of the business people towards the Chamber of Commerce, and lie appealed to them for their support and co-operation. The chamber’s activities, added the president, had been looked upon by certain sections' of the community with derision. .Any person, he contended, who scoffed at an organisation which was endeavouring to work for the good of the community was not, in liis opinion, worth considering.

A recommendation to the effect- that the retiring president automatically became a member of the executive committee for the ensuing year was passed for consideration bv the incoming executive.