WESTLAND GHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 October 1917, Page 4

WESTLAND GHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

TFKSDAY, OCTOBER 2.

The monthly meeting of the Chamber was held at the County Chambers at 7.45 o’clock. Present.' —Messrs R. Wild (voted to the clniir), A. H. Richards, C. J. Nightingale, W. Wilson, T. W. Dull, G. IT. Chapman, J. J. Mclntosh, and D. J. Evans (hon secietavy.)

The minutes of the previous meeting- were read and confirmed and out* ward correspondence approved. IN WARM COR RK.SrON I'K N'CK. From Hon Minister of Defence, replying that the agricultural and pastoral industry has been declared most essential, and the Military Service Boards so advised ; the question of exemption for individuals rested with the Boards only’ upon appeal. Received with thanks, as quite satisfactory. From Rt Hon Prime Minister, stating he had referred the statement from the YVataroa Dairy Company relative to the exemption of dairymen, to the Minister of Defence. —Received.

From Chief Postmaster, promising to reply later regarding installation of metallic telephone circuit, and the opening of 'a public telephone at. J jit tie Wanganui, South Westland.— Received. From Same, replying that the Department considered the additional cost of availing itself of the JacksonHokitika motor service for the conveyance of mails to Hokitika on Tuesday and Thursday nights, was not wiirranted, but there would not be any objection to the carriage ol the mails by the motor service, if the business people agreed to pay the subsidy required. — Received. Several members said the mail service would be a great boon ro the district, ensuring also the establishment of the motor service to the town. Besides the saving of several hours in the delivery T)f mails for .Hokitika, there would also be a great saving of time to Ross and South Westland, particularly in regard to the connection with the south mail which closed here at 9.30 o’clock on Wednesday mornings. This service would mean a saving of three days to the south folk in respect to Fast Coast and North Island mails which crossed the ranges on Tuesdays. The Chairman moved that an elToit he made to raise JC2(> as a subsidy, the Department to be asked to supplement this £ for £ to secure the service. It was suggested ihe £2(j he raised as follows: —£10 each from Hokitika Borough and Westland County, £3 from Ross Borough, and £1 each from Waitaha, llari Hari and Wataroa dairy companies. Mr Chapmgn seconded the motion whi:h was carried.

From Associated Chambers of Commerce, Wellington, notifying the annual conference would he held at

Wellington on 2Sfh and 20th November.—Received ; the appointment of a delegate was left to.the Executive. From Customs Department, supplying particulars, of the recent decisions under the Customs Act.—Received.

MISCI- U.ANI'OIfS. It was reported the annual meeting of the Chamber would be held on Tuesday, November 6th, when the election of officers and committees would lake place. It was resolved to invite intending new members to he present. Mr Chapman referred to t he serious position of the milling industry, il sawyers and leading men about sawmills were taken under llie Military Service Act As a mailer of fact the fate of the industry now hung in the balance, awaiting the decided action of the hoard. Milling was the staple industry of the Coast, and upwards of a t honsand people would he directly affected, so the outlook was most serious. Many families were also involved, apart from the very serious loss to the owners of the properties who had so much capital invested. In reply to a question. Mr Chapman said he did not think the Chamber could do anything in the matter, as it was one of those subjects to be decided b\ r the Military Service hoards, hut it was well the position should go before the people in lime, and that they should realise ,what might come to pass. There had been a suggestion of amalgamation of mills, but this would involve compensation to the mills forced lo close down, while there would also he a difficulty in formulating a general scheme to give satisfaction.

After a general discussion in which State control was spoken of rather disparagingly for reasons drawn from recent happenings, the matter was left in abeyance, fill the authorities further reviewed the position. A discussion ensued in regard to the holding of Territorial instrus tional camps. It was pointed out with the constant depletion of the ranks of labor in this district, these camps would be a source of loss to the community if carried on during the period of the war. Sawmilling and fanning were alike affected in this district, and past experience showed that a good deal of waste resulted from the holding of the camps. For the sake of efficiency in industry and a saving in finance, both nationally and privately, it was resolved to urge that these camps lie suspended during the duration of the war. The Chamber rose at 8.50 p.m.