CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Shannon News, 11 May 1923, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

TO BE FORMED "IN SHANNON

On Tuesiday • evening a meeting ol business men and_ farmers was lield in the Council Chambers with a view to forming a Chamber of Commerce in Shannon. Mr T. C. Tflhwaites, convenor of 11.■ meeting, said this was a matter the had been spoken of for years, but- up to the present nothing had been done. He said smaller townships than Shan-

non had such a body and when, he came here he was surprised to find that no such! body was in existence. Some little misapprehension exists seeing that Shannon had a Ratepayers’ Association, as some people think the two associations would overlap and interfere with the functions of one another. That wag not so, as the Ratepayers’ Association’s interests em at the borough boundary, while th,e Chamber goes much further, taking in the welfare and interests of the whole district. As a matter of fact the two Associations would not come in conflict with one another, but would be supplementary to each other. The aim and object of the Chamber would be to promote trade, commerce, shipping and manufactures of Shannon and district, alsq the Home, intercolonial' and foreign trade of New Zealand, to promote, support or oppose other measures affecting aforesaid interests. The speaker then went, on to say that one of the main planks of a chamber and a concrete instance avos the case of the proposed road to Koputaroa brought forward by Cr. Hyde a.t the recent election, which would mean a big thing to Shannon, as it would be the means of bringing Kopuitaroa much nearer Shannon than Levin, thereby increasing the business of the town. This should he one of the first things to concentrate on. In the past- Shannon had been practically a suburb of Levin, which town had supplied the doctor, dentist, newspaper and even soft, drinks. If these people could be induced to settle in Shannon it would all be for the betterment of the town. The coming back of the flax industry and having the Mahgah'aa power .at Shannon’s back door were both factors that would assist the progress of the town. There was no reason why a rope factory should not be started here seeing the raw material was at the door. He said the aim; apd object of the Chamber would be to boost the town along and to put. the meeting in order so that thiei subject before them might be •discussed, the speaker moved and Mr T. V. Burns seconded “That a committee be set uo to draw up rules and conditions with a view to forming a Chamber of Commerce in Shannon.’’ On! thiei motion being put. to the meeting it was carried unanimously. The following committee was then set up to draw up. rules and conditions: Messrs Thwaites. Tippler, Burns, Hook. Roach and Beard, who are to report, to a meeting to be! held in the Maoriland Theatre on Wednesday. May 16, at 2 p.m. The meeting then terminated wit 1 ’ a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Thwaitfes.