COMMERCE CHAMBER

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 543, 29 May 1933, Page 7

COMMERCE CHAMBER

WELL ATTENDED MEETING REVIYES FORMER BODY NEW OFFICERS ELECTED There was an excephionally good attendance at the annual ' genefal meeting called hy the Opotiki Ghamber of Commerce on Friday evening. when the question of reviving interest in the chamher was discussed. After the president, Mr. F. Bridger, had briefly explained that' the meeting had been called with a view to an election of officers and the general re-organisation of the chamber, Mr. A. J. Sinclair, vice-president, suggested that as very little interest &ppeared to have hsen taken in the tchamber's activities for the past two years, it would he a good idea to ascertain at this meeting if sufficient interest and support were likely to he forthcomin'g to m|ake it worth while to continne. He also asked for a ruling as to who was allowed tq vote at the meeting as there was a large nnmber present who were not members of the chamber. Mr. S. Shalfoon reqnested the pre- ' sident to read the advertisement of the meeting as he had understood it to indicate th'at the general public were invited and that anyone interested would be allowed to vote on the election of officers. Mr. G. S. Moody suggested that the president ask which ,of thqse present were prepared to pay subscriptions. Mr. G. Shalfoon said that h'e understood the president's remarks to mean that the chamher had decided not to call in subscriptions for the past year and this being so, the old chamher was defunet and the purpose of this meeting was to re-form the chamber of commerce. In this case he contended all were entitled to vote. By request the president then read the rule referring to new members which stated that all new members must be proposed and seconded in writing and such notiea exhibited in the chamber for three days before their election. Mr. E. Payne considered it essential to abide by the rules, but the president suggested that this rule he waived. Mr. Sinclair was of the opinion that the rule could not he waived and suggested adjourning the meeting for three days. "One Man Chamber" Mr. A. L. Arrowsmith said that wh'ile he did not wish to make matters more difficult, he failed to see how proposals were to he made in writing if n0 chamher existed. The secretary Mr. C. Fleming at this point announced that there was only one financial memher and according to the rules, he therefore comprised the chamber. In reply to a suggestion by Mr. G. Peagram that non-memhers retire while the members discussed the question after which they would perhaps be prepared to make the necessary proposals, Mr. S. L. Chatfield pointed out that this could not he done as it required .at least two members to make such a p'roposal and there was only one. All Eligible After some further discussion, it was decided that all those present who were prepared to join the chamber be allowed to do so. All present signified their intention of joining and nominations were called for the position of president. Mr. Bridger having declined to accept re-nomination, Mr. Sinclair and Mr. G. Pipe were nominated. On a ballot, Mr. Sinclair was declared elected. The president then asked for suggestions as to the amount of subscriptions. After a little discussion it. was decided to fix the subscription at 5/- per annum. Mr. Pipe congratulated Mr. Sinclair, thanked his supp'orters and assured them of his whole-hearted support in the working of the chamher. Mr. Sinclair, in thanking his supporters, said that Mr. Pipe and himself had been good friends for a number of years and he h'oped this would continue and also that there would he whole hearted co-operation in the working of the chamber. Mr. Pipe was then elected vicepresident. A council of eighteen was elected and the secretary's honorarium was fixed .at five guineas. Mr. A. Young said that in the past the chamber had frequently _ voted money to other chamhers wh'ile forgetting the secrei/ary's honorarium and he had much pleasure in supporting a suggestion by Mr. Pipe that the secretary's salary be a first call on the funds of the new chamher. On the proposal of Mr. Peagram it was decided. to hold a meeting on the fourth Monday in every month, the secretary to have power to alter the date in the event of it clash'ing with any other important function. On the motion of Mr. Arrowsmith, it was decided that the rules should be revised hy a committee to consist of the president, secretary and Mr. Arrowsmith. Th'e date of the next general meeting was fixed for Jnne 26.