LOWER HUTT CHAMBER OP COMMERCE.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 50, 22 May 1930, Page 12

LOWER HUTT CHAMBER OP COMMERCE.

An enthusiastic annual meeting of the Lower Hutt Chamber of Commerce •was held in the River Board Ro<mi on Wednesday, 7th inst. Tlie President, Mr. Justin M. Power, presided and gave an interesting resume of t'n'e year's workings. He-touched upon t>he interest -which the Chamber had taken, in leojQJunetio'n with the; Borough Council, in 'making representation to the Post and Telegraph Department for the installation of the automatic telephone, system. A site for a new telephone ex«liange had been, purchased and the (tender let for its erection, but he regretted that no fuTiker details were, available. The Bus Service, he did consider was in the interests of the business of the Hutt. The Wellington service was too good and that from the «utiying districts into tie town was not sufficient. Thfr street lighting in the [business area, he considered, was probably the worst in New Zealand, Speaking of the aviation base.fox th.c Hpti. iValley, Mr Power regretted the apathy and lack of foresight on the part of. local bodies, which resulted in the loss of Gear Island for aviation. He said tha*. the Chamber had made suggestions in regard to the re-naming a-nd numbering of streets which had been, acted upon. Speaking of the contest which .toek place af the last Municipal Election, ho said that,: although t>he business iaen 's nominees had not been successful art the poll, he felt that the effort Siad ibeen worth while in the amount of initercst that was created. He expressed appreciation of the courtesy and. consideration w&ich. was always extended l>y the Council to the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber had brought under the notice :of ; the yPoliee Department tie lack of sufficient police patrol and the matter had been remedied by ithc addition of an extra policeman.

The Chamber had made suggestions to the Council, in xegard to procuring M&yoral lobes and chain. Altihioug-h lie Council had sent, a courteous jeply and a promise to take -action) nothing further hud been heard of the matter- A sub-committee had been set. up to, go into t>lie question of having oiie central ■court-house for the whole valley and more, frequent sittings, but nothing further had been done and the matter •would/ he hoped; be reopened by the ixevr executive. An advertising scheme ■had ben launched by tho Chamber in the local Press} but he regretted that it did not receive more support f rom the business people. The unemployment question was likely to bo very acute during the approaching winter and he toped that tie new execnutiye would the matter full consideration. He •made reference to the serious iHaess of •Cr. Mcßain, one of the memibers, and expressed a wish for his speedy recovery to health. In conclusion ihe thanked the executive; i;he police, the postal «fficiaas-, and the! local press for their assistance at all-times. ■ •

Tito following., executive was elected; President, Mr. J. W. Andrews; yi«e"President, Mr. A. W. 3STis rb:eft; Hon., Secretary, Mr. Maurice J- Power; Hon. Auditor/ Mr. A. C, Sceats; Hon. Solici--1 to*, Mr. J., Stanhope Reid; Committee: Messrs A. Aekroyd, W. Morrison, j. Newell, A. C. Stevenson, W. H. Smi-Wi, A; N. WaHace, S. T.Watkins. Mr. J. W. Andrews thanked the meeting for electing him to the high position of president, jttfl^lA *tat he was v re-

garded it as the duty of every citizen to work in the interest of his district, and he hoped by encouraging free discussion to make the meetings more attractive and to increase, the meanber-

sihip. He maintained that the greatest propaganda the Chamber * could have

■syaa to give service, and helping other business men with their'difficulties. He

hoped to be able to work in conjunction with tie Petorie Chamber of Commerce as their interests were in common. "Speaking on the question of unemployment he declined to take the pessimistic view. He saw no reason whatever to expect that this winter would see more unemployed than last. He was of the decided opinion that conditions were better, particularly in the Hutt where he had been informed from several sources that there was a decided improvement in business. His policy ■was nort to reduce his staff and so fax as possible to employ one extra man; ihe urged all employers to do the same.

Several speakers supported the remarks and struck a decidedly optimistic tone and considered the Hutt to be pTpbably the most fortunate community •in New Zealand. -

A general discussion on many points of interest was indulged in and on the question of Electric Power Board charges, it was decided to appoint a special committee at tljje next meeting •of ihe < executive, to bring down a report _ and to interview the" General Manager on the requireanents of -t>he business people.

. The statement of accounts which was adopted showed a credit balance of £15 «,nii no liaiailities.