PUKEKOHE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 220, 24 October 1916, Page 2

PUKEKOHE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

First Annual Dinner. A Brilliant Success.

The first annual dinner of the Pukekohe Chamber of Commerce, held on Thursday last in the Pukekohe Hotel, proved a most brilliant success—far in advance of even the most sanguine expectations of its promoters, the Executive. The company attending numbering between 60 and 70, was most representative in character as in addition to the Chamber being honoured by. the presence of a Cabinet Minister (the Hon. G. W. Russell, M P.), Parliament was represented by Mr J. A Young, M.P.; the Bench by Mr F. Y. Frozer, S.M. ; "the Bar " by Mr J. G. Haddow ; Local Authorities by Crs J. Flanagan, C. Motion and J. Henry (Franklin County Council), Crs A. B. Barter, J. Beatty and C. Clarke (Pukekohe Borough Council), Messrs R. T Reid, J. Gribble, H. 0. Mellsop and A M. Barriball (Waiuku Town Board), and Mr T. J. Corin (Manurewa Town Board); the Provincial Farmers' Union by its President, Mr A. A. Ross; whilst local business men and the farming community were present in good numbers. The chair was occupied by Mr H. Dell, the President of the Chamber. Much of the evening's enjoyment was due to the entertaining musical programme contributed tb by the Lyric Quartet from Auckland, viz., Messrs E- Skam, Alan McElwain, A. H. Ripley and J. W. Ryan. The excellent repast, as providel by Mr C. Clarke, the proprietor of the hotel, having been done full justice to, The toast of " the King" was honoured in the usual loyal style. A UNITED PARLIAMENT. "The Parliament of New Zealand" was next submitted by Mr H. E. R L. Wily, who paid tribute to its members for burying party conflict in order to give united support to matters appertaining to the war-

In reply, the Hon. G. W. Russell, who was loudly applauded on rising to speak, said that Parliament was a machine for registering the views of the people, and if it was defective it could be traced to the people who had elected them to office. Referring to the war, he remarked that no Britisher could look undisturbed on the frightful crisis. He was opposed to the elections being fought on political lines as they were at the outset of the war, and he gladly threw his whole strength into the subsequent proposal for the formation of a National Government so that party warfare would cease. Consequently he had become- associated with the member for Franklin,

the Right Hon. W. F. Massey, as Prime Minister, and although they had their differences in respect to politics, he nevertheless respected him as he was always prepared to respect honour and ability. For the National Government to get into proper working order it necessitated a good deal of give and take amongst members, and it was hard for them to realise that after years and years their party warfare had ceased. Eveiy member was working solidly and uniformly so that New Zealand cou'd take its part in the war. It gave him pleasure to be present in the Prime Minister's electorate. Mr Massey, together with Sir Joseph Ward, was now " at Home" representing New Zealand in the councils of the Empire. No longer could the Statesmen of the Old Country look upon New Zealanders as different to the men and women within the shores of the Mother Country. In the future relations of the Empire, New Z9a-

land would have to have its say in matters of defence and peace and the binding of what would otherwise be a loose collection of Btates. When time came to declare peace there could be no satisfactory peace for the people unless it would carry with it that the German navy would have to cease to exist. Referring to to the problems that Parliament would have to face in the future Mr Eussell said that first of all a policy of development in connection with the waste lands of the Dominion would have to be pushed ahead. The railways and roads

would also have to be pushed ahead. After referring to the part our " boys " have played in the war Mi Russell said that on their return they would have to ba given an opportunity of going on the land. New Zealand was the greatest little country in the world. It was a land of only 103,000 square miles, including the swamp lands, lakes and ranges, and yet in only 60 years it had risen to the tenth country in respect to the extent of its sheep flocks The Auckland province had only been " tickled " and the moral was that it was no use putting railways through the country without settling the land, which matter would have to be the first consideration of Parliament, Touching on the aspect of the war, the Minister pointed out that Mr Lloyd George had said that the dawn was coming. He considered that they had seen it during the past three month?, The British offensive at the Sommne showed the Germans what they were up against. Although totally unprepared at the outset of the war England was ready

now with plenty of munitions and men imbued with that invincible spirit that did not know how to surrender. Dealing with racruiting, Mr Russell remarked that if the voluntary system proved unsatisfactory the Government would not hesitate to put the Compulsory Service Act into force. The Minister went on to say that the rate of pay and the pensions to be paid to New Zealand soldiers was the highest m the world, and the whole brain and strength of Parliament would have to be resorted to in order to show its appreciation of the brave " boys " on their arrival back in New Zealand. The womanhood of this country had done its full share and he was proud to bo in charge of those hospitals which had sent out nurses, who bravely faced disaster at the sinking of the Marquette. In conclusion, he returned thanks for the enthusiastic manner m which the toafit of the Parliament of New Zealand had been honoured,

Mr Young, M.P., also responded. He said that the previous speaker

had disclosed a very important Cabinet secret when he said that tbo National Government was a happy family. The duty of the Empire was to assist its Governments to win the war and to assist the Statesmen in the problem of Imperial organisation and unity. Material interests would have to be conserved and safely guarded and the country made impregnable to the other countries of the earth. Every man in the country should also put forward his best efforts to produce the test in the country. He was averse to preachings that there should be a limitation to productions. Every man should be paid according to his capacity for producing. If the country was going to hold its own with the other great countries limi-

tations must- not. be allowed to creep in. Mr Young went on to propose the toast of the " Pukekohe Chamber of Commerce," and proceeded to state that Chambers of Commerce could reader good service to the community in opposing all measures detrimental to local advantage and in promoting everything for local advantage. In Mr H. Dell and Mr J. P. Asher the Pukekohe Chamber of Commerce had a live pres'dent and a worthy secretary respectively. In outlining a motor trip he had had round the Pukekohe district that day, with members of the Chamber, Mr Young said that he had been astonished to see the intense cultivation which was both creditable to the farmers and had the effect < f showing the potentialities of the district.

In responding, Mr Dell (president) expressed the wish that that function would be the first of many others to follow. Mr Dell also sketched the improvements that had been secured in the local telephone, postal and railway services as the direct result of the Chamber's efforts.

Mr J. T. Stembridge proposed the toast of " The Magistracy." In Mr Frazer, the Magistrate for the district, they had a man in whom all had the greatest confidence and who ruled with firmness and kindness, his justice being tempered with mercy. Mr Frazer, in replying, said that he believed in a sound sense of justice and equity rathor than cold law in carrying out his duties.

" Local Authorities " was submitted by Mr J. G. Haddow, who dilated at length on the" pin-pricks that members of local bodies had to contend with from ratepayers. Cr Flanagan, in reply, mentioned that the valuation of Frauklin County was the highest of any county in the North Island, while there were only a few counties in the South Island ahead of it.

Cr Motion also replied, and in dealing with Mr Haddow's reference to pin-pricks said that he always made it a rulo to do his best and that was all a man could do.

C- Henry, in responding, remarked that Chambers of Commerce existed for the benefit of the whole of their district?, and that the work of local bodies was accelerated by assistance from Chambers of Commerce. In conclusion, he gave credit to the old Road Boards for the Herculean work they had carried out during the progress of the district.

Mr R. T. Reid commended the Franklin County Council for improvements effected to the roads under its jurisdiction thereby making them suitable for motor traffic. Mr T. J. Corin advocated the districts between Manurewa and Pukekohe working in close community with each other to secure improved railway facilities and the harnessing of the power at the Hunua Falls for the purpose of an electrical scheme to serve those districts. He assured the Pukekohe Chamber of Commerce of the assistance of the Manurewa district in the event of the Chamber extending operations as far as that district. In submitting the toast of " Neighbouring Chambers of Commerce," Mr C. K. Lawrie expressed pleasure at seeing so many members of the Waiuku Chamber of Commerce present. Mr S. Rossiter, president of the "NVaiuku Chamber of Commerce, briefly responded. Mr Frank Perkins proposed the toast of " Agricultural Interests," and laid stress on the importance of Pukekohe as a producing district. In reply, Mr A. A. Ross, President of the Auckland Provincial Farmers' Union, said that Agricultural interests constituted the foundation on which New Zealand rested. The Dominion had made wonderful strides in the production of raw material from the soil. He knew of an authenticated case in Pukekohe of a farmer having paid £IOO per acre for a farm and in the first year the gross value of the produce there-. from amounted to the total value of the farm.

The toast of " The Lyric Quartette was next submitted by Mr D. R. Flavell, and responded to by Mr Mr McGlwain, and the last toast of the evening, that of " The Chairman," was proposed by Mr A. B. Barter and replied to by Mr Dell. Before parting three cheers were given by the assemblage for Mr and Mrs Clarke, host and hostess.