CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2335, 29 September 1921, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

<r* MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly meeting of the Council of the Chamber of Commerce was held on Tuesday night. Present: Messrs Hornblpw (president), the Mayor (John Chrystall, Esq.), A. N. Smith, Adrnore, Moorhouse, Jack, Christie, F, D. Whibley, Jno. Ross, Rev. Walton, and the secretary (Mr R. Rangiheuea). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs Perreau and Pearson.

Correspondence was read from shipping firms, stating reasons why the port was not used regularly by steamers under their control (previously reported). It was resolved to forward the correspondence on to the Harbour Board.

The President reported on behalf of the deputation which waited upon the local stationmaster re advocating preference of casual employment being given to married men. The result of the interview was satisfactory, and met with the views of the stationmaster.

The Secretary of the N.Z. Federated Chambers of Commerce wrote, notifying that the annual conference would he held in Christchurch in November next, and asking that remits reach him not later than October 20 th.

The Mayor suggested that a remij; be forwarded, calling upon the Government to conserve portions of the forest in the Urewera country, which had recently been acquired by the Government for settlement purposes.

The President was of opinion that Ihe remit should also include a protest against parting with the freehold of national land endowments.

The Mayor consented to draw up i remit'for the Council’s approval.

A letter was received from the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, slating that the Government had been urged by that body to exercise economy in the administration .of Slate departments, particularly in lhe direction of reducing the services of those departments which were unremunerative, though it was not considered desirable that the Railway Department’s expenditure should be interfered with. It was asked that the Foxton Chamber of Commerce support the Wellington body in protesting against any attempt on the part of politicians to interfere with the Railway Department, and in assisting every endeavour (o conduct the railway service profitably.

• After some discussion it was resolved that the Chamber has not sufficient evidence to warrant supporting same.

The resignation of Mr R. M. t’arkes ns a member was accepted. Tlie treasurer reported a credit * balance of £27 15s 7d.

The President brought, up the question of assisting the Council to urge upon the Government Advances Board the necessity for removing the restriction upon the loan for water and drainage purposes. The annual advance of £IO,OOO for this work had been reduced to £5,000, which would prolong the completion of the scheme over a period of eight or nine years. The water and drainage scheme was a work of necessity, and its early completion could not be too strongly urged. The Mayor said one point that .should not be overlooked was the splendid terms upon which the Board had advanced the money. This meant a great saving to the' borough.

Mr Whiblcy said he could not congratulate the Council upon its methods of raising the money. After further discussion, the President was authorised to draft a letter to the Minister in charge of the Government Advances Board on the subject.

It was resolved to write (he postmaster, asking him to acquaint the Chamber as to the number of subscribers it required to obtain a continuous telephone service. Mr Moorhousc referred to the invitation extended lo His Excellency the Governor-General to visit Foxion, and said the Rev. Mr Walton’s action in this matter was worthy of commendation. He hoped that all sections of the community would unite in giving a right royal welcome to His Excellency.

The Mayor endorsed the previous speaker’s remarks, and said that when ollicial intimation reached him of the proposed visit, be would take life necesgarv steps to provide a fitting civic welcome.

The Rev. Mr Walton, in thanking the President for the Chamber’s appreciation, said although his action in extending an invitation to His Excelneney to open the Church bazaar prompted the idea, he did not overlook the wider interest of such a visit, and immediately be had received a- reply he communicated the fact to the Mayor.

The Chamber decided to co-oper-ate with the Mayor in any steps taken to provide a fitting welcome to the King’s representative.

Other minor matters were dealt with, and the meeting rose.