A WISE MOVE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 333, 21 September 1932, Page 4

A WISE MOVE

The reCent decision of the Rotorua Retailers' Association ancl the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce to amalgamate their forces in their common interest and that of the town, marks a forward step and one which should "bring a new access of vigour to the conduct of the businessmen's organisation. Fears were expressed in the course of the prej liminary discussions, that either i one or other of the two organisa-

! iions would lose its identity. We j do not wish to appear unappreciative, but would this matter so long as the purposes of the association were f ulfilled ? It is true that the scope of a Chamber of Commerce is wider than.that of a Retailers' Association, which is solely concerned with retailers' matters, but the interests of both bodies are very largely j akin and in a town of the size I of Rotorua, their membership j must largely be derived from the i same sources. In a larger town | undoubtedly, better service i might be given by two separate ' organisations for with a larger J population, a wider diversity of matters would necessarily arise which could be divided between ! the scope of the retailers and the j Chamber of Commerce, In Ro- | torua, however, the interests of the business community can very : adequately be safeguarded by one energetic and representative association which is able to represent the views of the busii nessmen with one undividec. j voice. For some time past, it has j been apparent that both the Re- ■ tailers' Association and the

Chamber would be mutually strengthened by an amalgamation which would preserve their separate spheres of operation while at the same time uniting their forces. The representatives | of the two bodies who have per- | ceived this fact and worked for : the amalgamation have shown . f oresight, and the terms on j which the two bodies have mergjed appear to safeguard any reI strictions which were likely to be imposed by the combination. There can be no question that the new body, will be much more representative than either of its two component sections and it should, in consequence, be in a position to pursue a. vigorous policy of advancement allied with a proper caution in safeguarding the interests of its members and the business community generally. It should not be overlooked that the new organisation will be affiliated witb the Associated Chambers of

Commerce of New Zealand — a representative and powerful organisation which is in a position to give the necessary force and emphasis to the views of any one of its members. This is an avenue of expression which previously was not open to the Retailers' Association, as such, but which is nevertheless extremely valuable from a businessman's point of view. On the other hand, the larger membership of the association will undoubtedly remforce and invigorate the somewhat flagging energies of the chamber, with correspondingly beneficial results. We can see nothing to be lost from the amalgamation but a great deal to be gained from whatever point of view it is regarded. The amalgamation may also be taken as another encouraging indication of the increasing realisation that all sections of the community must organise and combine in their own interests if they are to combat the forces of depression and emerge triumphant.