The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 1919. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Dead or Dormant?

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 472, 9 May 1919, Page 2

The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS.

FRIDAY, MAY 9, 1919. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Dead or Dormant?

"We nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice."

Is the Pukekohe Chamber of Commerce dead, or merely dormant 1 That is the question being asked by people who have been expecting the Chamber to move in certain matters of public import, and of particular concern to business men and farmers. The Chamber, however, seems to be very indolent just now, and this is a great pity, because, in the past, it did excellent work in connexion with the telephonic and telegraphic facilities, reduction of railway freights, the stopping of the Alain Trunk express hereon Sunday nights, and other f matters. By this lack of inteiest j in public affairs, Pukekohe is not ! singular, for such apathy is uu- | fortunately very general. Rut j that is neither an excuse nor a ! condonement. If the town and district is to progress commeusurately with the splendid opportunities waiting to be grasped we must have live, enterprising men on all our public bodies, and not merely so many animated corpses. The members of any Chamber of Commerce whatever, and wherever existing, should be always to the fore : instead of needing prompting themselves, they should be the very men to galvanise others into action. Recently a meeting was called, but lapsed for want of a quorum, the only ones present being the secretary, two other members, and a representative of the "Times." We are constrained to admit, therefore, that we were not buoyed up with enthusiasm about the Chamber, as it goes at present, and its power for hustling things along. Of course, allowances have to be made for the fact that the war has had a prejudicial eflect, and also that illness has incapacitated a few of the actively interested members. However, while there is life there is hope, and our hope is that, when the next meeting is called, a large number of members and intending members will roll up and bring as many as possible along with them. There is much work to be done lor the good of the town and district, and the assistance of an active, progressive Chamber of Commerce is greatly needed.