CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 588, 14 February 1929, Page 13

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MR. H. T. MERRITT AGAIN PRESIDENT FACING A NEW YEAR Nearly forty members of the Auckland Chamber of Cemmeree were present at tho annual meeting which was held after a luncheon at midday to-day. Tho president, Mr. IT. T. Merritt, aws in the chair. Prior to the president’s address, Mr. A. G. Gunn was elected a life member of the cnamber. In moving the adoption of the annual report, which traced the achievements of the year, the president said that, for tho first time the chamber’s finances showed a deficit because of the heavy expenses in renovating the rooms. He hoped it would not be long before a. new and worthy building would be; possible. UNFAIR REPROACH “The chamber has been reproached for an alleged lack of sympathy for secondary industries,” he continued. “This is unfair.” They wished these industries all good luck and prosperity, he said. But, in taking an impartial view, they could not lose sight of the fact that the wellbeing of the community depended on tho prosperity of the primary industries. Secondary industries depended very largely on a decreasing cost of production, and anything that would tend to increase the cost of the prime necessaries should be examined scrupulously. An indiscriminate use of the tariff would unduly raise production costs, and result in a decreased exportable surplus which, in turn, would react unfavourably on the secondary industries. In his opinion the late Government failed to note the resentment against the reluctance to place a check on the interference of the State in private erading. Recent prouoncements by members of the present Government to the effect that the position would be investigated were welcomed. Mr. Merritt closed on a note of optimism. ‘lit is to be hoped that the spirit of caution will prevail, and that there will be no wild anticipation of a period of unlimited opportunity and huge pi'ofits,” he concluded. “Such anticipation will end only in disaster, but to all those who go forward in quiet confidence and faith in the future destiny of the country, success and prosperity are assured.” ,

On the motion of Mr. Lunn, Mi'. Merritt was re-elected president. Mr. M. Stewart was re-elected vice-presi-dent, and the following councillors were elected: Messrs. C. F. Bennett, W. R. Ellingham, J. R. Rondel 1, T. Simson and T. C. Webster.