BUSINESS MEN ORGANISE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 330, 17 September 1932, Page 5

BUSINESS MEN ORGANISE

IMPORTANT MOVE

ROTORUA RETAILERS ASSN. AND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AMALGAMATE FOR BENEFIT OF TOWN \ A repreaentative meet'ing of the Rotoruti Retail Traders' Association last night decided that in the best interests of the town, the association should amalgamate with the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce. The proposal for amalgamation was the ckiex business before the meeting and was approved. by an overwhelming majority . with only three dissenting voices.juelegates from the association who had met representatives of the Chamber of Commerce reported that it had been decided to recommend that both bodies amalgamate on ths following conditions: (1) That the name of the organisation be "Rotorua Chamber of Commerce (regd.) associated with the Rotorua Retail Traders' Association." (2) That the membership fee be 10/- per annum. (3) That a combined meeting of both bodies he called to elect officers. / (4) That two commitbses be elected providing that only hona fide shopkeepers be elected to the committee dealing with matters pertaining to retail traders business, hut with no rsstriction to the election of members to the committee dealing with general matters. (5) That the aims and objects of the organisation be for the advancement and protection of the business interests of Rotorua and to further the development of the idle lands, etc., in the surrounding districts. No Compulsion Mr. George French pointed out that ttie recommendations did not bind the meeting to approval. The delegates simply placed before the meeting the opmions which they had come to. They had to arrive at some decision, otherwise it was useless to have ap•minted them. He considered that the mggest'ed arrangement gave the association many advantages. Mr. H. Beale commended the delegates for placing something concrete before the association. The chairman said the delegates went with an open mind but desired to assist in the formation of a strong body to act in the interest of ho town. Probably it would be possible to reduce the subscription to 7/6. Mr. D. Kingon said the objection ■aised last year was that the association wrould lose its identity, ,but that difficulty had been overcome, and the association would have its own com•rittee to deal" with their own private business affairs. Tliese affairs would uot even go before the executive. There was no fear of the chamber enleavouring to dominate the new hody. There was no point on which they had lot been met. The chairman (Mr. Vvr. R. Harris) pointed out that the chamber and association were both doing the same work and some members belonged to both bodies, which was a waste of time. Mr. Robinson thought they would gain nothing by the amalgamation and simply have to pay an extra 5/i year. Mr L. Ewert considered it was worth 5/- to keep the chamber alive. Mr. E. Pratt thought perhaps the association would lose members by iharging the extra 5/-. The chairman in reply to questions iaid there would be only one cost of administration. Help Needed Mr. E. Harris said that the chamber was in sueh a position that if the association did not come to the reseue the chamber would die. The chamber was functioning on £1 1/- and members were dwindling and it was unfortunate that the leading business men did not take the required interest. It vTas jush a question of the association saving the chamber. Mr. E. T. Johnson* thought they should have the chamber's balance sheet before coming to a decision. Mr. Kingon said that the chamber had to pay 2/6 a member to the Associated Chambers of Commerce, but he did not think there was much other ' expense. It would be a terrible thing to think that a town like Rotorua should have no chamber. A strong chamber would help to build up the town. Greater ScopeMr. G. French thought there should be no fear of the association's funds being depleted. He felt that by joining the chamber their scopa of usefulness would be greatly extended, inasmuch that they would be linked up with all the chambers of the country. Such' political influence would he most valuable in helping to combat evils creeping into business.

Mr. Musgrave favoured the amalgamation. He could not see that the activities of the association would be curtailed; in fact it would give them wider scope. Mr. Beale feared that" the association was likely to exceed its scop'e. Was it wise to leave their purely business affairs and go into political matters. If they desired to go into a wider field and help in the interests of the town, well and good, but it looked to him as if they were getting away from their own little association. Mr. Johnson considered the amalgamation would constitute a strong body in the best interests of the town Proposal Endorsed Mr. Higgins then moved that the meeting considered it advisable in the best interest of the town to amalgamate with the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce, provided suitable arrangements could be made. Mr. Spear seconded and the motion wras carried with three dissentients. Discussing the recommendations of the delegates Mr. Musgrave moved and Mr. Pratt seconded that the new subscription be 7/6 instead of 10/- and the motion was carried. In view of the amalgamation it was decided upon the motion of Mr. E. Pratt that the present officers he reelected pending the completion of the amalgamation.