CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4416, 19 May 1922, Page 1

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

annual report. GOOD WORK ACCOMPLISHED. The following general matters were traversed in the- annual report of the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce in addition to what was published in our Jasb. issue. The, report was presented by the. executive committee, and read by the President, Mr E, W. Porritt:

Your Committee reports that during the past year the Chamber has mot on twelve occasions, and ini addition to min'or affairs has dealt with a number of matters “of importance to Paeroa and the surrounding district, among which may be mentioned, reading. river navigation, land Paeroa-Pokeno railway, alterations in railway time-table, "cattle tick menace, agricultural education, electric lighting and power, spread 1 of blackberry pest, Thames Harbour scheme, Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers Commission, daily motor service to Hauraki Plains and overland mail service. .

PLAINS MOTOR r BUS SERVICE. The one • probably of the most direct. importance to Paeroa is the establishment of the daily motor service, bringing the settlers on the Plains into direct business communiv cation with the people of. Paeroa During the negotiations for the inauguiation of this service a trip was made'to Ngatea to meet the residents there, with the object of bringing

about a closer relationship between Ngatea' and Paeroa. The benefits of the service are already .apparent, and the service is much appreciated by farmers and others, ps it enables them to come into town and transact business in time to return to their daily avocations in the afternoon.

PLAINS DAILY MAIL SERVICE. The Chamber was also successful in getting a daily overland mail service established between Paeroa and Ngatea, via Netherton and Kerepeehi, which service is proving a boon to the residents in the localities mentioned, and has brought forth many expressions of gratitude for the Chamber’s efforts in the matter. PARLIAMENTARY TOUR. The Chamber co-operated in the movement for a 'Parliamentary tour of the Hauraki Plains, and this and adjoining districts, with* a view of bringing the present needs and future prospects under the personal observation of Ministers and Members of Parliament Unfortunately,, on account of the lengthy session of Parliament the tour was abandoned, but it has not been lost sight of by the local bodies and others interested. ASSISTING THE NEEDY. The Chamber was able to render some assistance to the campaign in aid ol the Orphanage Fund, and its effort., thought small in comparison to the large total sum required; was much appreciated by the promoters of the campaign. Your Committee desires to call the attention of members to the fact that i,t is seriously hampered in its endeavours by the lack of funds, and the large amount outstanding for subscriptions in arrear calls for consid-* eraticn The balance-sheet shows receipts to be £24 3s and expenditure £49 19s 9d. Among the assets is the sum of £34 19s 6d for unpaid subscriptions, and it will be of material assistance if members will make an effort to pay these arrears off. BUILDING SOCIETY. The Chamber has had for some time under consideration the matter of the formation of a co-operative building society in Paeroa. Up t*o the present time a definite course of action has hot been decided upon,, but the matter is still under consideration. ' SECURING PROFESSIONALS. The Chamber took steps to secure the services of. a resident dentist In Paeroa, through the Dental Association, with the result that we now have a dentist, in regular practice. An enquiry has been received as to whether there is an opening for a resident chartered accountant, and inquiries are being made as to the prospects, for such a business. PAEROA’S EXCELLENT PROSPECTS Considering the possibilities of the future advancement of the town from its geographical position and natural advantages your Committee is of the opinion that in the years to come Paeroa will be a large commercial and manufacturing town, with established industries and a large waterborne traffic. It is the duty of the

Chamber of Commerce to conserve, if possible, the business interests of the future as well as of the present, and to also consider the effect on the coming generation of any action taken for the purpose, of present benefit, and to act in all matters witn a broad view of the public interest. A vote of. thanks is due to the auditor,' Mr Steedirtan. Your Committee takes tlae opportunity of urging upon members the; necessity for unity and cd-loperation if effective work is to be done, and in this .connection refers to an extract from an article recently i published by Bishop Wejldon in the “Nineteenth Century” magazine, namely* PLEA FOR CO-OPERATION.

“It is the essence of good citizenship that persons /who do not agree in opinion, whether upon secular or upon spiritual matters, should, as fai as possible, work together, should see the good and not the evil e.ach of the other, and shou.lid.sink their sectional prejudices and antipathies out of regard for the welfare of the community as a- whole.” This statement of what, constitutes good citizenship, coining from such a high authority, your. Committee puts before members as a) sound rule on which future progress’ will be made. DISCUSSION. Mr W. Marshall saiil that unfortunately there was no actual statement of .the liabilities of the Chamber, the .receipts and expenditure. Outside of this he again congratulated the committee on its report. , \ The particulars askeU for by Mr Marshall were then supplied by the president. Mr D. Leach remarked that the apathy of. the. members and the failure to pay subscriptions were great drawbacks. Mr L. E. Cassirels supported. Mr W. H. Taylor congratulated the executive on the very, ffine report presented. It was. very creditable tp the members to spend the time )hey did on matters, pertaining to the progress of the to.wn and district.