FOXTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3525, 17 August 1926, Page 3

FOXTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ENTERTAINS REPRESENTATIVES OP VISITING CHAMBERS AND LADIES. A SUCCESSFUL INNOVATION. SOME PUNE SPEECHES. A very enjoyable social function took place in Perreau’s rooms last night when the local Chamber of Commerce entertained representatives of .various other 'Chambers and local body representatives and lady friends at a social evening. Mir. J. K. Homblow (President of the Poxton Chamber) presided and among those present were Messrs J. Linklater and J. Nash, Ms.P., H. L. Young, J. Stevens and Noedl and Catton (Palmerston North Chamber), Hyde and Pitter (Shannon)., W. E. Barber (Manawatu County Council) H. Hornblow (Railway), Trueman (Town Clerk). Apologies for absence were received from the Levin and Marion Chambers.

The President in according the visitors a hearty -welcome said that the local Chamber had decided to break-away from the usual routine of Chamber business and hold a social gathering in order to bring together in social intercourse representatives of various Chambers and their lady friends. The outcome of that decision was the gathering that evening, and he extended a hearty welcome to the representative gathering. The Mayor (Mr. M. E. Eerreau) also extended a civic welcome. He was particularly pleased to see Mr. J. A. Nash present. Mr. Nash had been the organiser of the Poxton Chamber of Commerce, and together with the speaker and others present had been responsible for its formation.

Mr. .T. A. Nash in apologising for the unavoidable absence of Sir James Wilson, said that that gentleman was formerly member for Manawatu, had been' a pioneer of the Poxton Harbour Board and had rendered sterling service on the Palmerston North Hospital Board and Manawatu County Council. Nothing would have given Sir James greater pleasure than to be'present, but lie was _ unable to travel at night. He wished the -local Chamber every success and a pleasant social function. On the suggestion of Mr. Nash it was decided to send Sir James a letter expressing regret at his inability to be present and to record his distinguished services to, the district.

In proposing the toast of “Visiting Chambers” Mr. J. Linklater, M?P,, said' the innovation was an excellent one. The ladies saw too little of the public activities of the. menfolk, yet the men owed a deep debt of gratitude to them. He was pleased to see the representatives of other Chambers present. The various Chambers should club together more often and unite in urging those claims so necessary to the prosperity of the district as a whole. Poxton, he said, had a very bright future before it. The main highway through Whirokino would shortly be an accomplished fact and the Chamber could assist in beautifying the town and in other ways encourage tourists to remain awhile while passing through. The Mana-watu-Oroua scheme would be an accomplished fact some day despite opposition and Poxton would greatly benefit from this work, as fertile lands now subject to inundation would be drained and much fine country put under cultivation. Poxton possessed a beautiful seaside and the railway to the heads would be an acomplished fact before long. He predicted motor sports on the Beach in the near future. He also referred to Mi*. H. L. Young’s book on “Marvellous Manawatu.” Manawatu only required developing—there was a great heritage before this district. The Poxton Chamber of Commerce was a very pushing body —he knew that as a member of Parliament. In reference to the new courthouse requested by the Chamber, he was glad to report that the Minister of Justice had promised him to visit Foxton and inspect the existing building during the recess, (applause). Mr. 11. L. Young (Palmerston North) in responding, said he was surprised at seeing such a fine gathering. Poxton had made a move that would be copied by chambers all over New Zealand which would be a feather in the cap of Poxton. Such an evening was an excellent way of meeting the womenfolk in social intercourse and interesting them in higher pubic, service. Foxton was the eyes of the Manawatu and it had a wonderful future. It was now electrified and he hoped in a short time to see a railway to the seaside. The development within the next 20 or 30 years would be amazing. He had received between 300 and 400 replies in response to the circulation throughout the world of his book “Marvellous Manawatu” from families wishing to settle in the distinct. The housing problem had been against that at. the time however. This would not be so acute in the future. In and around Manawatu was the most, prolific country in New Zealand.. With the river straightened, Poxton would possess a great port and he predicted that barges for transport would be seen up to the gorge. He was pleased to be present that night and he hoped to be able.to put on a similar gathering at some future date in Palmerston North. Mr. Hyde (Mayor of Shannon) in

also returning thanks referred to the future of the flax industry in the Manawatu. Pew People, he said, realised the possibilities of the flax industry to-day. It was one of Manawatu’s greatest assets. The time had arrived when some of the industries in connection with flax should be started in Poxton and Shannon. In this connection he referred to certain buildingmaterials such as fibrous plaster, the manufacture of paper, string and matting of various sorts imported into New Zealand. Both Poxton and Shannon possessed the raw material and power, and naturally they could produce the goods. He predicted that Foxton and Shannon would be among the prominent towns of the Wellington province in the future. Mr. M. 03. Bergin, in proposing the toast of “Parliament” said the history of Parliament is the story of the emancipation of the masses of British people from the rigorous rules and legal codes of the feudal system culminating in the democratic system of Government obtaining to-day, when we, at least in New Zealand, enjoy a universal franchise. Upon his election to Parliament a representative of the people becomes a member of the Supreme Legislative Authority, which has practically no legal limits to its power of making and unmaking laws. While studying our international relationship with other countries, friendly and otherwise, he as a member of Parliament must keep an ever vigilant eye on the requirements of his district and be ever ready to promote its interests. This is a hard task to set any man but the traditions of the Parliament 7 of New Zealand, which historically speaking, is yet an infant glow with triumphs, and compel the admiration of any sound-thinking man. Our domestic laws, said Mr. Bergin, are as far advanced as those of any nation in the world. It has been said more than once by eminent public men at home that New Zealand leads the worldjin domestic'legislation. He mentioned that the “Workers’ Compensation Act” when passed was far in advance of the English legislation and we wele the first country in the world to pass the “Family Protection Act,” giving the disinherited members of

a family the right to apply to a court for provision out of the estate of a near relative. The humanity of our laws is conclusively proved by,the freedom enjoyed by our people. Our Parliament has ever been the admiration of visitors from overseas. If we consider what our country would be without our Parliament its importance will impress itself on our minds. If we consider the responsibilities of the individual members in conserving the rights of the minority while legislating in the interests and in a'eordanee with the wishes of the majority we will commence to realise the onerous duties of office. It is our duty to take an intelligent interest in the history, traditions and working of our Parliament because we in New Zealand enjoy what Abraham Lincoln pictured when he spoke of “the Government of the people by the people for the people.” Mr. Linklater in responding, said that he realised the great traditions members of Parliament had to live up to and he and his colleagues were endeavouring to live up to them (applause). He was pleased to say that lie represented a very fine section of New Zealand, and a very fertile part of the Dominion. He had been particularly interested in Mr. Hyde’s remarks in connection with the flax industry. He had urged the Minister for Agriculture to provide on the estimates extra grants for developmental work. He had also urged that graders should be appointed to visit mills as applied to dairy factories. He had it on good authority that if the millers could raise the grade of flax one point the revenue of the country would be increased by £40,000 to £50,000 per annum. Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., also replied and paid tribute to past statesmen. The country had been particularly fortunate in having such great statesmen as leaders in the past and we had nothing to fear so long as Parliament had men of similar calibre to carry on in the future. He also referred to the great sacrifices made by members of Parliament —'how after years of public service they retired impaired in health. There was a great feeling of comradeship in the House despite opposite views. He was pleased to help Foxton at any time and he hoped Mr. Linklater would be successful with 'the construction of a line to the Beach. It would be a payable proposition. The wharf would have to be shifted to “Rush Flat” in the near future and the railway would then serve a very useful and dual purpose. Mr. J. Stevens (Palmerston N.) gave a very interesting lecturette on the early history of the Manawatu, and the acquisition by the Crown of Native land. His reminiscences of the pioneering days were extremely interesting and a promise was extracted from him to give a special evening on a future occasion.

Supper was then indulged in after which Mr. 11. Catton, electrical engineer, (Palmerston N.) gave a short and instructive address on the possibilities of electricity in connection with secondary industries Mr. Catton will deliver a further lecture to the Chamber at an early date on this subject.

In proposing the toast of “the ladies” Mr. J. H. Stevens spoke interestingly of the “M'ana” of the Maori people and how these qualities were transferred at death from tribal leaders to their successors. Such fine qualities could be trans-

mit'ted by the ladies to the sterner folk in life.

Mr McMurray responded. During the evening acceptable , and much apre'eiated vocal items were rendered by Mrs Corn, Miss Ynes Easton, Messrs. Smith and Barron.' Some amusing stories by Mesrs Nash and Young and instrumental items by Messrs Corn and Jensen —the latter playig the accompaniments. Tim evening terminated with community singing led by Mr. J. A. Nash and a very pleasant gathering concluded with cheers for the Poxton Chamber, ladies and the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.”