CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 April 1920, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

TUESDAY, APRIL 21st. The regular meeting of the Chamber was held at 7.30 o’clock. There were present: Messrs W. J. Butler (vicePresident) Wild, Houston, Aitken, Richards, ALTntosh, Duff, Bruce, Ritchie and Evans. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed and the outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Win ox Ltd. asking particulars of firms for the sale of their commodity. —Received; and referred to Mr W. E. Williams. From Associated Chambers of Commerce forwarding c-opies of resolutions passed at annual conference in March. —Received; Mr Butler who was the local delegate to the conference reported on the proceedings at Wellington and urged the importance of the local • Chamber being allied with such an important and influential body as the Associated Chamber. In this connection lie thought that the suggestion should bo made to the Grey Chamber of Commerce, to join the Associated Chambers. Mr Butler referred in detail to several of the Dominion motions carried at the Conference. From New Zealand Educational Institute submitting a number of questions relating to the control and direction of moving pictures.—Received; It was resolved to return answers to the effect: (1) That moving pictures as at present , directed were having an injurious effect on children and young people, because in so many instances the theme displayed the wrong side of life, stressing the immoral and featuring locations which are prohibited by law, and that a different standard of subjects should he imposed without delay; (2) that the question of children attending picture entertainments too frequently was a matter for parental control; (3) that stricter censorship was. essential and should be through the Education Department, and under satisfactory censorship there would not he the necessity to discriminate between adult and juvenile audiences; (4) that in regard to classification British films should be given a. preference over the latter; (5) that the censor should have not onl v the power to prohibit, but also to direct that propaganda pictures as provided by the Education Department should be shown at every public entertainment. From Hokitika Borough Council suspending action with regard to the proposed Electric Power Board for the district owing to local arrangement. County Council and Ross Borough Council wore co-operating. It was men--tioned also that the proposed scheme would not affect or jeopardise A,c local municipal arrangement, hut rather add to its importance. From Canterbury Progress League notifying intended visit of the Organiser fo suggest branches on the West Coast.—Received. MISCELLANEOUS. • The question of the Jackson mail service was brought up, it being pointed out that the contractor owing to the shortage of benzine desired to suspend the contract for three months. This course was not favoured by the Chamber, and it was resolved that if the present contract could not be carried on, it be determined by one month’s notice, and fresh tenders invited for a new service to run between Hokitika and Otira direct, which was considered more satisfactory all round. On the motion of Air W ild, cordially seconded by Air Bruce, and heartily supported all round, it was carried that a motion of appreciation be conveyed to Sir James Allen for bis eminent ■services to the Dominion, and Empire, during the Great War, and extending best wishes for bis new work in the Homeland. ATr AYild moved that Mr Seddon ALP. bo asked to organise a parliamentary visit to'South AVestland, prior to the session, the Chamber to arrange transport. and invito the support of the local bodies financially. ATr Bruce esconded. Carried. Mr Houston for Mr Morel moved that the Railway Department he asked to provide a sheep loading yard at the Hokitika station. Mr Mclntosh seconded. Carried. Mr Mclntosh moved that further representation be made to the Postal Department regarding the transfer of the public telephone at Lake Kanieri to the accommodation house. ATr Duff seconded. Carried. The meeting concluded at 8.30 o’clock PROGRESS LEAGUE FORMED.

At tlio dose of tli c Chamber of Commerce meeting last night a conference was held with representatives from a public meeting relative to the formation of a Progress League. Tn addition to the Chamber members mentioned above,, there "'ere present : Messrs Breeze, Coulson, Jeffries and Pilkington. Tlie subject matter was discussed at some length, all speaking favourably to the proposal. Ultimately Mr Bruce moved that a Westland Branch of the Canterbury Progress League, be formed, and those present with power to add to their number bo a provisional committee to give effect to same. Mr B.itcliio seconded. Carried. The boundaries of the Branch were fixed as the boundaries of the Westland County with the three, interior Boroughs. It was resolved to ask the organiser of the Canterbury Progress League to supply rules under which the Branch could be managed, and that on 'receipt of the information a public meeting be called to adopt a constitution, fix subscriptions and appoint officers. Mr -Evans was asked to act as Sectary pro tern and obtain the necessary information for thc inaugural public meeting. Tho meeting rose at, 9.45 o’clock.