UNITED BODY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 354, 15 October 1932, Page 5

UNITED BODY

IMPORTANT MOVE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND REfAiLERS' ASSN. COMBINE ORGANISATION COMPLETED | A . special general meeting held last night of the Rotorua r Chamber of Commerce and the Rotorjua Retail Traders' Association unanimously passed a formal resolution agreeing to the amalga,mhtlon of the two organisationS. The proposal received hearty endorsement and hopes were expressed of increased scope for usefulness in the future. For some time past negotiations have been in progress for the strengthening of the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce by amalgamation with the Rotorua Retail Traders' Association. As the latter body was composed entirely of businessmen it was f elt that they could be assoeiated with the activities of the chamber- to the distinct advantage of the town and delegates were appointed from both bodies to explore the possibilities of the proposal. The recommendations made by the delegates were as f ollows : — (1) That the name of the organisation be "Rotorua Chamber of

Commerce (regd.) assoeiated with the Rotorua Retail Traders' Association." (2) That the membership fee be 10s per annum. (3) That a combined meeting of both bodies be called to elect officers. (4) That two eommittees he elected providing that only bona fide shopkeepers be elected to the committee dealing with local matters pertaining to retail traders business, but with no restriction to the election of memhers 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. These recommendations were discussed and generally approved, with the exception that the Retailers' Association suggested that the subscription he redueed to 7s 6d. Formal Confirmation In aceordanee with this arrangement a combined meeting was held last night and, Mr. George French was voted to the chair. Mr. W. R. Harris, chairman of the Retailers' Association, then moved that the two bodies amalgamate under the title. selected in the aonditions. This motion was seconded by Mr. S. Hale, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, and carried unanimously. When the time arrived. for the election of the new officers, Mr. S. Hale moved that Mr. W. R. Harris be elected president and the motion was carried with applause. In the course of a few brief remarks, Mr. Harris expressed the belief that the new organisation would. have a suecessful and useful career. He -was especially pleased that Mr. Hale, the chairman of the Chamber, should have proposed him as president. It was an example of a good spirit, which augured well for future suecessful co-operation. New Officers Other officers were elected as f ollows: — Yice-presidents, Messrs L. Ewert and N. M. Keane ; executive general committee, Messrs. S. Hale, H. Langguth, E. Pratt, H. L. Musgrave, A. Smith and G. Johnston; hon. secretary, Mr. A. Budd; hon. treasurer, Mr. J. H. Higgins. A motion by Mr. J. McDowell that a paid secretary be employed was defeated, the meeting being of opinion that the association should carry on with voluntary help for the first year. The shopkeepers committee was .elected as f ollows :— -Messrs. D. I. McKerras, D. Garriock, H. L. Musgrave, H, S. Kingon, A. J. Hart, W. R. Harris and J. H, Higgins. The appointed chairman of this committee will be ex-officio a member of the general exeeutive committee. Mr. L. C. Ryan was appointed auditor. Frequent Meetings Mr. N. M. Keane expressed a desire for a monthly meeting instead of quarterly as heretofore, as hy this arrangement members would get to know each other better and work together more enthusiastically. The suggestion was approved. On Mr. Keane's motion the general and shopkeepers' committee will meet within a fortnight to revise the rul.es and the. next general jneeting will be held in a month's time. Thanks At the conclusion of the meeting Mr. L. Ewert drew attention to the e^cellent services rendered in the past by the two secretaries, Messrs. W. M. Ashton and H. S. Kingon, and hearty votes of thanks were passed accordingly. A special vote of thanks was also passed to Mr. Kingoii for the frequent use of his room for meeting purposes.