CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 277, 28 February 1929, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

SPECIAL MEETING. Question of Procedure. A special meeting of the Putaruru Chamber of Commerce was held on Wednesday, 20th instant, to “ consider the present position of the chamber.” Mr. J. W. Barr Brown presided, and there were nine members present. At the outset Mr. Griffiths asked for the chairman’s ruling on the notice calling the meeting, the speaker holding that it covered nothing but the general financial position of the chamber.

Mr.'Barr Brown replied that he disagreed from this view and held that it covered anything pertaining to the chamber. He added that members had not been attending meetings of late and he wanted to find out the reason. If there was anything against him personally he would resign as his heaith was not too good. Mr. Griffiths replied that if that was the chairman’s ruling he would have to rise to a point of order if anyone’s name was mentioned or any discussion was allowed which was not purely general. There were certain rules laid down which were essential for the conduct of public business. The chairman’s interpretation was even against the chamber’s own rules and if allowed to go unchallenged a vague notice such as sent out/would result in discord. It could be used by a clique to attack anyone in their absence, for several members might read the notice and attach little importance to it and go about other business and find later that they had been attacked in their absence. He believed that one member attending had made a special trip from Hamilton that night when he learned what was to take place under cover of the notice of the meeting.

The speaker concluded by saying that he was not trying to block any business or questions, but he valued his reputation as a public man and he could not allow such procedure to go unchallenged. Everybody in the town knew what the meeting was called for, so they .might as well admit matters and get things settled. As matters stood the only procedure was to close the meeting and have an informal discussion on the Parliamentary tour and forestry. Mr. H. Johnson agreed with this view and held that nothing could be done except in an informal manner. The chairman then stated in reply to the secretary that the notices had been sent out as worded t>‘y himself. He thought the notice covered everything but he could see now that it was not in accordance with the rules. The chairman then ruled that a short discussion take place on the general position of the chamber and the meeting be closed, after which an informal discussion on forestry matters be taken.

Mr. Vosper assured the chairman that there was no feeling against him personally and that it was not always possible for him to attend meetings.. Mr. Griffiths supported this view and pointed out that other chambers of commerce had difficulty in securing good attendances, having to resort to lunches and special addresses to. draw the crowd. He would have suggested such a procedure for Putaruru but he realised the lodge was having a big struggle to meet the rent. Mr. Barr Brown said the lodge had now let the hall lapse and he thought the supper suggestion a good one. M\ H. Johnson said he thought he could get several new members and he advocated that an agenda be drawn up for each meeting and posted to members. The secretary explained that this was already done but it might be amplified. Mr. Barr Brown said that so far as was possible this was done but it might tend to block discussion if strictly adhered to. The meeting was then closed and forestry business taken. Mr. Griffiths stated -that in his opinion the trouble had arisen because of certain statements which had appeared in the Herald. He personally had nothing to do with those articles, which were written by the Herald reporter who accompanied the party, and the chamber could not be held responsible for any statements made in them. Unfortunately his own remarks to members were not yet published but they were very clear and definite. Be had stressed the fact that they “ represented no party and were not acting as land sellers and were not antagonistic to tree planting. They admitted there was sickness on a small area and they sought to get the stigma removed. He was now prepared to answer any questions. Mr. H. Johnson, manager of the

N.Z. Perpetual Forests, had courteously come to his office and discussed the matter and he was now satisfied that the chamber was not attacking his company. So far as the speaker knew 90 per cent, of this company’s tree planting was done on waste lands. Neither the speaker nor the chamber bad anything to hide and ■ all their cards were on the table. If the chamber was going to be used by other interested parties to upset the work which had been done he would state quite openly there would be a fight right to the bitter end. Mr. Vosper said he was pleased to hear Mr. Griffiths’ remarks because ir. view of what had appeared in the Herald he had come prepared to speak out very strongly. However, he was now quite satisfied. Mr. Barnett asked why he had been excluded from the meeting when the members of Parliament were here. Mr. Griffiths replied that Mr. Barnett had excluded himself. To his knowledge Mr. Barnett had not attended a meeting for over two years. The present agitation began over a year ago and as far back as last October a deputation had been sent to Wellington on the matter, with the result that a reduction in manure freights had been secured for settlers. The whole matter had been thoroughly thrashed out and the procedure adopted was the result of minutes properly passed. The chamber had excluded no one and any members who failed to attend meetings excluded themselves. They were opposed to tree planting on farm lands, which some companies were endeavouring to do. Mr. MacFariane pointed out that the object in appointing one speaker when such matters had to be put forward was to ensure a correct statement of the official position. Mr. H. Johnsoß said he had no grievance against anyone and all he proposed to do was to make a statement on the company’s operations. He would rather do this at an ordinary meeting. After some further desultory discussion it was decided to let the matter stand Id! the next ordinary meeting. ~ ,