CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 April 1922, Page 1

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

TUESDAY, APRIL 4

The Chamber sat at 7.35 p.m. Present:—Messrs G. A. Perry (President), W. J. Butler, R. Wild, T. W. Duff, D. J. Evans, W. Wilson, M. H. Houston, C. J. Nightingale and J. Ritchie. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed and the outward correspondence was approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Hokitika Borough Council, con- ! veying replies to matters suggested from the Local Bodies Conference in January to the effect that the question of accommodation would be looked into : that the water supply had improved con- i siderably; that a room would be set apart at the Library for a Tourist | Bureau ; that the Council would consider j the matter of raising n small loan for , civic works; that the present financial j position did not permit a subsidy for ' the improvement of the ocean beach.— , Received.

From W." Lawson, Organiser N.Z. Forestry League, in respect to his visit to lecture on forestry matters,—Received. The Secretary reported the visit had taken place, and Cl 7s fid had been collected towards the expenses of the meeting. From Government Statistician, stat- j ing that owing to the necessity for economy free copies of Government publications could not be supplied, and offering supplies at stipulated prices.— ’ Received and no action taken. \ From N.Z. Taxpayers’ Federation, I Wellington, asking the Chamber to act | as an advisory sub-committee to help j attain the objects in view of securing reduced taxation by bringing about or-

dor and sound business from the present administrative chaos, reckless expendi- J lure ami the intolerably burdensome I taxation resulting.—Received and re- I solved to cooperate as desired. A vote of Co os was passed to assist the Federa-1 tion in propaganda work. 1 From Same, supplying statistics as to the public expenditure and staffing of the Civil Service, showing inter alia that the actual staff for 1920-21 was 10.90 S

employees (as against 16,333 the pre- j vious year) with salaries £4,250,554 1 (against £3,159,774). —Received. i From Secretary N.Z. Post and Tele- ! graph Officers’ Association, stating with i reference to the question of joining up with the Alliance of Labour, there would be no occasion to doubt if affiliation resulted, that the Government employees would sease to hold sacred the oath of secrecy in regard to private and commercial business passing through an officer’s hands.—Received. A discussion ensued on the aspect of the suggested affiliation, it being pointed out that the Post and Telegraph Officers were the servants of the public as a whole, and it was not in keeping with an effective public service, that they should ally themselves with any particular section of the community. It was resolved to express’ Tn a letter this view of the matter to the Association. From Farmers’ Union Trading Coy., particulars of bond issue at 7J % free of income tax.—Received. From Imperial Council of Commerce, London, forwarding circular regarding bill of lading affecting the shipment of canned goods.—Received. From various forwarding printed publications.—Received with thanks. GENERAL. The Treasurer (Mr Ritchie) reported a credit balance of £27 7s 3d, and accounts to the amount of £l7 5s were passed for payment. Mr Houston referred to the protracted manner in which the approaches to the Little Waitaha bridge were progressing. It was resolved to write the Public Works Department stating that the work might be expedited, as the bridge was urgently required to avoid a trouble some ford. Mr Wild mentioned the complaints made by visitors as to the lack of information available at Tourist offices in the Dominion respecting the West Coast trip, and it was resolved to write the Director in regard to tbe matter. The meeting concluded at 8.35 p.m.