CO-OPERATION PLEA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20095, 15 November 1939, Page 8

CO-OPERATION PLEA

STATE AND BUSINESS j

WAR-TIME CONDITIONS

CHAMBERS OF COMMI-TUT

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. At the annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, which commenced in the Centennial Exhibition conference hall this morning. Mr. M. S. Myers. Dunedin, in his presidential address, referred (o the alteration which the war had caused in the Dominion's affairs and the differing opinions which existed in various sections of the community as to the methods of procedure best suited to meet the present conditions. Speaking generally, however, lie added, and without particular reference to any war-time legislation or regulations in New Zealand, it was a fact that whatever the colour of one’s political views, war inevitably meant the assumption by the State of functions which were neither necessary nor desirable in times of peace. Complex Regulations

Mr. Mvcrs continued that in the 1 Case of New Zealand, the subject of State control of and regulationgoverning business had become 1 steadily more complex because of the fact that many of the difficulties now surrounding the conduct of business were due not to the war but to circumstances arising prior to the war. j Had there been no war. they would j doubtless have welcomed protests on j behalf of the business community j against many of the difficulties which ; had arisen and the irksomeness of the | regulations governing the conduct of I business.

Now, however, in his judgment it 1 was only right and proper that he i should suggest the advantages that j would accrue to the whole community j from a greater degree of co-operation between all sections of the people. He did not want it to be thought he was advocating the stifling of discussion because, on the contrary, he con- j sidered that constructive criticism was ; of the greatest benefit to those who j were criticised. Consultation Urged Mr, Myers then proceeded to deal with the activities of chambers of commerce in peace and war, compar-ing-the Continental system, where the chambers of commerce were semi-j departments of State with the New Zealand voluntary system. He advocated closer consultation and collaboration between public authorities on one hand and qualified private interests on the other, and said he was strongly hopeful that such common-! sense arrangement was not beyond the bounds of early realisation, particularly when he saw how the Government had already set up a number of specialised committees to deal with labour and allied questions in relation i to war conditions.

He stressed the non-political aims of i the chambers of commerce, and I reiterated the statement of the Associated Chambers that all reputable people would join heartily with the Government in its desire to prevent j anyone from seizing the opportunity | of war to enrich themselves at the I expense of the public. The chambers j of commerce, if rightly used, con- j eluded Mr. Myers, could, he felt sure, | render considerable and helpful! service to those engaged in governing | the country, and he advocated the! setting aside of schisms and party: feelings for the duration of the war. j