LOWER HUTT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 7, 10 July 1930, Page 7

LOWER HUTT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

In order to stimulate' more interest among its members tlio local Chamber of Coinmeree; has arranged a series «€ leotcTes during tie year, which will be of interest to the district and to the business people in -particular. The first of the '.series, which was held in the Council Chanilber on Monday' evening ■was most encouraging, there being an attendance of about 40 members aad yis.it.ors. The speaker of the evening was Mr. J. T. Martiriof tie ■Wellington Cham-* ber of Commerce and Mr. J. W. Andrews presided. Mr. Martin took as his subject "The Aims and Objects of a Chamber of Commerce,'' and pointed out that a chamber--..0f commerce was .an active" .body which watched ov.qr and promoted i-the'"development of industries, and the commercial life of the district. .. It could develop moral force in its community sufficient to carry the majority iwit'h. it in its stand on matters of public importance. It formed a point of contact with other organisations; and enabled the opinion of the town and i. district it represented to receive adequate expression. It enabled also a dis cussion of individual grievances^ or what were thought to be grievances, and . corrected fallacious Viewpoints based on unreliable information. ! A Chamber of Commerce should be a reservoix. of information on matters of ; importance to the trading and commercial interest of the district. It was not a political institution and was debarred tby its constitution from taking any side in party polities or Teligious questions. It woi-ked in the interest °f ©very member of ,t&e community, hen©c it desirable that the membership should be a wid© one.

"Some chambers," said Mr. Martin, *'prefer to havie t&eir discussions in committee and send out to the press for publication a summary of the proceedings. Speaking from experience, I very much prefer the open meetings, where the Press is,present and free to. make p.ubilie-the discussion and debates*"

■i. Dealing more in detail witih the particular activities of the Lower Huttt .Chamber, Mr. Martin said the advantages nnd attractions of the district for closer settlement an<L suburban Residence were great; its quick transport i facilities with Wellington, its unique position, as a great industrial centre, and'its advantages- as a shopping area, were most favourable. Wealth could be attracted to the district yby the distribution of illustrated and informative pamphlets, exactly as had been done in other towns. It could confer a great iblessiig on tie poultry, pig* and dairy farmers of the district" if. its Imembera would ea'Tefuily the well^thOTigMouf Vsc&efiaes recently'! complied by tfes Unemployment Coiunittee set iup by rf&e. > Government, and whiek so strongly: 'eaxtr 'pniiM^ed the ne&essity of itopoftiag food like maiize, bcians, rice, iae&l, and whea-t, free of duty,'for feeidmg stock, thus enabling farmers attdr'ojtheisto produce poultry, eggs, meat, and dairy produce- -at a price theft Woidd not "only be :cheaper td the townspeopl* but enable the*' producers to compete more successfully in the. world markets. ThY speaker was listened to witK great ■fnter'est and many of the points raised in his diseours-e elicited, ▼cry interesting discussions from those present.- . i-i-■■■-■- '■■•■■'•■ ■•'. '■■ •■": ■■'.■•■; During a* interval light refreshmeni« were SeTVeo^ - ..;••■;■.:■ .\- p m' /N . In his opening remarks the president^ Mr.v Andrews,-'.extended fa; wrdial*iwek «ome to menibers: of the Petone Ohaanberi a^d'i^id ; that lie >hoped:, thisi be the forerunner^ oi,^^^n^ eainaisa meetings. He also wdcarn^ TeporesiemtAtives of tiie O^yic X»eagnle. ■ 'of ■'faM& FfcifiSne Vitej&ber, le^fffled Mrr»«k bet, Mr. Maa^Waa warmly tnanked - . f or-ihis-address; ■ ; - " .