CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 263, 27 July 1915, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

QUARTERLY MEETING. The quarterly meeting cf the Tuihape Chamber of Commerce wag held in the Supper Room, at the Town Hall, last night, when a fair attendance was present, the president (Mr A. James)

occupying the chair. Messrs AJdridge and McLau'ghlan sent apologies for unavoidable absence. The president said the chief busi-

ness of the meeting was the adoption of the report submitted by th e executive concerning th e quarter's work. The report which he read was as follows :

j The president said with regard to the Taihape-Napier road, it seemed that the Rangitikei County Council was very loth to carry out the expenditure. If the Council decided not to • carry out th e work, he was afraid they j would find a difficulty in persuading i the Government at a later date to 1 give them financial assistance. If the Rangitikei County Council would not do anything in the matter they would ask th e Department to expend the £SOO already voted. They would then have a portion of the road done on 'this side, the same as had been done on the Hawke's Bay side. With respect to the National Highway, he attended the conference at : Taumarunui as the representative of this Chamber and representatives of th e Automobile Association were also present. After discussion they decided that such a road was necessary, and the estimated cost was £300,000. Half of this amount would be borne by the Government and the balance by the various territories affected. The fair distribution of maintenance was also discussed and a committee was appointed to apportion the cost to the several areas through which the road ran. Th e Automobile Association gave a surprise to the meeting by stating that they were Avilling to support a tyr e tax. A deputation was appointed to meet the Prime Minister on July 29th with regard to this. With regard to the Egmont Box Company's Siding at Ohutu, h G had to report that they had not yet heard from th P Minister. The president, said there were several other matters, but they wer e not sufficiently developed to be included in th e erport He would now present the report, which was open for discussion.

With respect to the Ccniference to b e held at Wellington the first week in August, he might say it would be one of the most important meetings of Chambers of Commerce yet held. If only half of the remits were dealt with, a great deal of good wuold accrue to the Dominion. Altogether there were 67 remits, and also a suggestion that th e Chamber of Commerce bo federated throughout the Dominion "*" ~ ■- Mr Garratt said before moving daoptioii of the report, they must congratulate their committee on having brought many important matters to a head. The National Highway was a matter of very great importance, and would be a great benefit to the Main Trunk. The railway trucking yards were also important. He was surprised the committee had been able to accomplish such an amount of work. It was very evident that the president's position during last quarter was no sinecure. He had very much pleasure in moving the adoption of the report. Mr Wrightson said he had much pleasure in seconding, and he could only corroborate the remarks of the previous speaker, and hoped the Chamber would continue in doing such valuable work. Mr James said he was very pleased to hear the remarks made by the two last, speakers. He must speak very highly of their secretary, Mr Jennings, who had done a lot of good and hard work, which had been pleasure to the secretary and himself, and would not have been so effective if they did not have such a liv e executive. The attendance has been splendid at the executive meetings, having 10 out of a possible 11 every meeting. The quarterly meeting was for the purpose of supplying mor e fuel, and by inviting a large meeting, they thought they would get a full expression of opinion. They thought the members should make mention of any matter which they thought advisable for this Chamber to handle. If they had any matter in hand which Avas not in the report, he would ask them to mention it. Mr Garratt asked if any scheme was in view for the increasing of membership. He thought it would be a good idea if a concise idea of the quarter's work was sent to everyone. Many intelligent people wondered what was the benefit of a Chamber of Commerce and if they got this document they would be able to see for themselves. The president said the idea suggested was much in accord with the idea of the executive and a circuar was being, prepared. . The farmer sometimes imagined that the Chamber was only for; the town but such a circular would convince him that tJse farmers' : interests were being looked after. It was essential that they should. increase their membership: That -was very- important The speaker read the remit to be sent to the Conference- at Wellington with reference to t&e combination of all the chambers at ©ommerce throughout the Dominion and the

scheme for helping the war fund. They considered tha: tie proposal from Taihape did mc:e than suggest what should b e done. They noticed in tlie president's comments upon the suicidal policy of buying goods irom a foreign country because they were a lit-

tle cheaper than the British article, but they had seen nothing with reference to the formation of a league for advocating British manufactures He thought the chambers of commerce throughout the Dominion should en-

deavour to get the people united in one huge organisation and at a low estimat e he thought they would get on e quarter of the population. If they had such a league it would be a verypowerful organisation. Then as to the

wearing of a badge. If on e individual

wor e one it was, cf little use, but it would b e vastly different if three out ■ of every four people were wearing the « badge, which intimated that they were combined in a league to do away with the use of German goods. If they got the consumer also, they would then, have a very powerful body. The result would b e that if a Council purchased a British roller for a certain sura when they could have got a German production for £o less, thier action would still be upheld. In this combined scheme, say at on e penny per member, on a basis of 200,000, it would mean a consul erode revenue, and he thought there was no simpler way cf doing it. In time they could see that it .would grow into one of the best protectors of British trade. These few remarks would give them. an idea cf what would be submitted to the conference at Wellington. Mr Garratt said he thought the idea was a gcod one, but at the present tim e the nations were at fever heat. When the war was over the heat would die down. The British were a commercial people and h e was afraid that in ten years hence, their antagonistic feelings towards the Germans and Austrians would have cooled down, and i^ e thought they would trade with them. He thought that if the Government was approached they might make a custom duty on German goods of perhaps one hundred per cent, to b e placed on them now and forever. Mr McLennan said th e idea was alright, but the very way to force theGovernment to do anything was to have such an organisation at the bacic of the request. Th e president said one cf the functions of the league would be to impress upon th e Government of the day, the importance cf any subject. They knew long ago that it was fooiish to trade with Germany in the way they had done, but individual effort would. be of no avail.

Mr McCormick said he thought they should start while th e people were at fever heat, and if they left the matter th e people would become indifferent, Tf they formed the organisation now it would be hard to say how they would break away fi-om it.

Mr Neagle said that if a man had a family of three or four children, the national importance of the league would be inculcated into them by their parents.

The president said there was a proposal that they should make their, children members and ladies would also be admitted. The fee would probably b 9 one shilling per annum. Mr Dray said he thought the proposla of 1/ per annum would be improved" by making a charge once and lor all. He thought they should have the rule, "Once a member, always a member." He thought that Taihape and all chambers of commerce would be proud of this organisation.

The president said this matter has caused him some thought, but a scheme would probably be suggested at the conference.

The subject of finance and the provision of scholarships by the league were- discussed, and with respect to th e latter, Mr G-arratt said he thought it was a good idea, as it would keep the league before the notice of the people.

The meeting then closed with a vot e of thanks to the chairman.

QUARTERLY REPORT. The quarterly meeting cf the Taihape Chamber of Commerce was held' last night, when the following report was submitted: — To the Members, Taihape Chamber of Commerce: — Gentlemen: Your Council havepleasure in presenting its report of the first quarter's operations. At the annual meeting, held on the 10th Maylast, instructions were given to the incoming Council to pursue certain matters that the old Council had in hand and to give its attention to other newmatters which the meeting considered" came within the scope cf the Chamber's function. The following embraces the matters referred to, all of which have had the earnest attention pf the Council, and, in addition, a certain amount of new matter has been and is being dealt with.

Mataroa Road. — The Council, learning that a deputation representing the Rangitikei County Couneill and the Upper Wsngaeku Road Board was to meet the -Minister for Public "Works, relative to this matter, deoided to take steps to support the representations about to .liemade, and, with, this object in view, your President got-into touch witfc these bodies. .Mr. R. W. Smith, M.P., had already arranged" the deputation,

which was to meet the Minister, and as those constituting the same were thoroughly conversant with the question, your Council considered that little weight could be added by the Chamber being represented. However, your Council wrote to the Rangitikci County Council, supporting the deputation in its efforts to have the road put in a better, condition. We learn with pleasure that as a result of the representation the Minister has made a promise of a gr<J| for the work, the balance of the jnoney required to be provided by the two bodies through whose territory the road traverses. Taihape—Napier Road. Following up the efforts of our predecessors, your President, when in Wellington, learned

that two sums appeared on the Public Works Estimates in connection with this work, viz., £SOO for road formation and approaches to the Rangitikei River Road on the Hawke 's Bay side, and £SOO (on account of £1,450) for similar work on the Taihape side. He had been given to understand that the .£SOO voted for the Hawke's Bay side had been authorised for expenditure, but that no authority had been issued for the expenditure of the £SOO on this side. Upon this information being placed before the Chamber, it was decided that the Department be written to, urging the authorisation of the expenditure of the latter £SOO, and also the proviison in the next Estimates for the completion of the road and the bridging of the river. The Council also communicated with the various localbodies and Chambers interested, and J members of Parliament whose constitu>encies were directly concerned, enclosing copies of our letter, and asking them to back up our efforts by writing the Minister on similar lines. In all eases this support was given. The Minister Teplied to the effect that the expenditure of the £SOO for this side, had been offered to the Rangitikei County Council in November last; so far, however, that body had not submitted any proposal for carrying out the work. The Minister also promised to consider requests for a sum to complete the balance of the work when compiling the next Public Works Estimates. Immediately on receipt of the Minister's letter, the Chamber got into touch with the Rangitikei County Council, asking what steps the Council' proposed taking in the direction of having the work proceeded with. In reply, the Council stated they considered that there would be no advantage in undertaking tne work, unless sufficient money was available to construct the road right down to the Rangitikei River. The County Council undertook to endeavour to have an additional sum placed on the Estimates, to enable this to be done. Your Council has now asked Mr. Smith, M.P., to se the Minister and ascertain the Department's intention, and to endeavour to get the full vote, and, failing this, your Council propose urging the earJy expenditure of the £SOO already voted. i Railway Freights.—Following up the ' introduction of this matter at the annual meeting, your Council gave it their attention, and learning that the tariff was under revision by the Department, decided that the time was opportune to move in the matter. It ■was decided that the question was one of such magnitude as to warrant a special general' meeting of the Chamber and others interested. A meeting for this purpos was hid on 28th May, and the questions of "Freights" gone into exhaustively. As a Tesult, a Schedule of desired alterations in the tariff was drawn up and sent to the General Manager. We alfeo sent a copy of the Schedule and supporting letters to several Chambers likely to support our efforts, and in almost all cases, assistance Avas promised. In aeknowleding receipt of our communication, the Minister stated that our representation bad been noted for consideration in connection with the revision of the tariff.

National Highway (completion of Main Trunk Road). —A conference of delegates from Chambers has been convened to take place at Taumarunui on the 17th inst. and your President has "been appointed to represent this ChamV her at same, and to support the scheme, particularly road improvement and the construction of bridges between Taihape and Taumarunui. Winiata Siding.—Learning that a petition was being despatched to the Minister for Railways, asking that the Winiata Siding be made a publie siding, your Council decided to support the petition by writing the Minister. As a result of the petition and this Chamber's backng, the Council) was gratified to receive intimation from the General Manager that it had been decided to declare the Siding a public one, and that instructions had been issued accordingly. ■< Trucking Yards at Taihape Station. —This matter had the careful attention of the Council, and a meeting was arranged with the District Manager and the District Engineer, who visited Taihape. The Auctioneers' Association, A. and P. Association, Farmers' "Union, and Freezing Companies were present on behalf of the Chamber. The yards wree thoroughly inspected, and the defects gone into. At a later date, and your President was, ,|at similarlyconstituted; deputation met llr. Hemes (Minister for Bail ways) at . "Eaihape, and showed him ever tho, yards and .explained requirements. The, Council further backed this op by.aletter to the Minister, and we are

pl-eased to be able to state that a reply has been received from the General Manager, stating that instructions have been given for the necessary improvements to be carried out. The alterations agreed to include a holding ►yard and a separate approach to prevent the necessity for stock being driven through the town. Old Court House Site.—Being informed that the Department intends disposing of that piece of land opposite the Gretna Hotel, and known as the "Old Court House site," your Council has taken steps through the member for the district, to ascertain the Department's intentions, and to urg e that the block b e sold in small lots, rather than in on e piece. Egmont Box Company's (Ohutu) , siding.—You Council has written the Minister for Railways, requesting that this Siding be made a passenger booking siding, thus obviating the necessity for passeners to and from Taihape having to pay the full fare to Utiku. This matter is having the consideration of the Minister.

Increase of Membership.—Your Council is inaugurating a plan for bringing the people in closer touch with the Chamber, by pointing out the work it has done, is doing, and undertakes, and soliciting membership. It is hoped that this will quicken interest in the Chamber, enlarge its sphere of usefulness and incidentally augment its funds. The membership of the Chamber now stands at over fifty,and funds in hand amount to £l4 odd. Fostering of Trade Within th e Empire.—During the quarter your Council has given attention to the question of th e fostering of trade within the Empire, and as a result it has been decided that at the Conference of Chambers of Commerce to bo held in Wellinton in Auuust, the fi representative of this Chamber will move "That this Conference of New Zealand Chambers of Commerce resolve to undertake the formation of a League with the following primary objects—

(1) Affording th e people of this Dominion an opportunity of uniting as one recognised body to -actively support the cause of "British Empire Trading." (2) Aisssting one or more of the New Zealand Patriotic funds by applying the net profits of th e League for this purpose.

Your Council hopes that the principle of the above will be affirmed, and some concrete steps taken which will result in the formation of a body, and that such body will initiate and bring 1 .0 a successful issue, a scheme whereby the commercial relations between lie producing and consuming peoples if the Empire will be fostered to their tiutual benefit .It is also hoped that he profits from th 8 proposed body vili b P available for swelling the Patriotic Fund

For the Council of the Chamber, A. JAMES. President.