TAIHAPE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Taihape Daily Times, 1 August 1919, Page 4

TAIHAPE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

There was a large and thoroughly representative attendance at the meet-~ ing held in the supper—room of‘ the Town Hall last night to consider the question of resu‘scitating or re-form-ing the Taihape Chamber of Cozn~ lIIETCC.

I His Worship the Mayor‘ (Mr. A. J. fJc-blin) occupied the chair, and said: the meeting had been called at the {request of leading citizens of the ‘town, with the idea of resuscitating or reorganising the Taihape Chamber of Commerce, which had of late been in a moribund state, and was a. reflection on the citizens. It would be a. reflection if this state‘ of affairs was allowed to exist. Everything concerning the welfare of the town, and; especially hinterland, came within thefunctions of the Chamber of Com-mei-ce._ The meeting had to consider the question of keeping up the old Chamber or of reorganising a new one. He asked Mr_ Fookes to say a few words on the matter. Mr. Fookes said he had taken uopn. himself on ‘behalf of the Taihapei Tradesmen’g ‘Association to endeavour to resuscitate the Chamber of Commerce. By doing so he did not intend’ to reflect on the old organisation. A. Chamber of Commerce was the onlybody which carried any weight in the redress of grievances or the'initiati«lg* of any reforms. He instanced the need" of railway improvements, better post-~ al arrangements with country’é‘entv:es,. the land question, and another very‘ important matter—-land aggregatic-n.. It was time to make‘ their voice felt, and a Chamberof Commerce was the only body which could do this efiecm tively. The Taihape Tradesmen’s Association Was only an organisation for local trade interests He hoped 2.. little enthusiasm would be shown’ by those interested in the town 3.‘-1-T. district. ‘ C

Mr. J.‘;P. Aldridge said he hadbeen a member of the Chamber of" 'Com---merce since its inception, which in‘ the early part of its history did a lot of“ good for the town-a’nd ‘district; :6-—” had -put cases before the authoritiesgi andhad got most of ‘what was asked j,for.‘ Had it not been for the war the Vroad to Napier would have been mil accomplished “fact, and the’ bridge: across the Rangitikei River at ’Moa'.-'2 Whango would have been built," ass—the« Governmeiit was distinctly in'favour' 0*" it. Now the War "was over‘ thetime was opportune to approach the Government in the right manner tohave it done. The opening of the ‘read to ‘Napier woulcl make a great‘ d.fferencc to Taihape, which was the natural outlet to the country servezr by this road, which would be a great. feeder to Taihape. Residents on "bothsides of the ‘range were eager for‘ {this connection. This matter was one. of the big things the Chamber "should" keep in view, in fact, it was of.pa.ra/-_ mount importance. There were lots’ of‘ ‘local matters also requiring attention." FT-he Government departments all Want‘: watching, and a body such as :the' Chamber of Commerce always carry’ a great deal more weight than ~ any‘ other. ‘A.chamber' was not a costly thing to'run_ In the past deputations to Wellington were..the_ most expensive items, but these lied been get‘ over. Mr. Aldridge gave an interest-'-ing resume of the past history of the Chamber of Commerce incidentally paying a tri-bute to Mr. Arthur James for lzis work in the past, and stating‘ though Mr. James would not be able to take an active part iii the work of the Chamber, his sympathies would be Wholly With any efforts made by that be-.<'ly. Mr. Aldridge said he hoped the‘ Chamber 0‘ Commerce, would be re.suscitated, as it would be a very vital" factor in the progress of the town, and district. He mentioned that the present successful Otaihape Freezing‘ Works was one of the fruits of the efforts of the Chamber of Commerce, and many other activities had also been fostered. (Appla'use). In reply to a question, Mr. Marlow; said the books of the Chamber of’ Commerce were in the possession of his ofiice, and would be hall?fé'd over to an accredited person_

Mr. McCormick said the Chamber of Commerce had been an acquisition to Taihape, and had done good work in the past, and would do equally as good Work in the future.

After a. general discussion, Mr. E. MC-Laughlan moved: That this nxeetirig organise 3. new Chamber of Conga;-' It-erce for the Taihape, district. V

Ml-_ Dashwood_ seconded, and" the resolution was carried unanimously. The mating then proceeded to the

election of officers. Mr. P. ?S. Carroli moved‘ that the Chamber consist of a. president, two vice-presidents, and an Executtve Council of tWel'Ve.—Seconded and carried.

The oflicers appointed wore: President, Mr_ P. S. Carroll; vice presidents, Messrs. J. P_ Aldridge and C. Q. Gibbs; Council, Messrs. Lawson, Cunninghame, E. McLaughlan, W. McLel;. nan, Fookes, Loader, Bond, Dymoc-k Marlow, 'MacDiarmid, Davies‘ and Gifford. Mr. J _ P.’ Aldridge’ undertook the’-

d sof secretary tcniporarily, peedin v the appointment "of a permanent 011'»: . Considerable discussion cent‘:-73‘-5 jrcund the amount of the annual subscription and it was_ finally decided that subscription ‘be £1 17 for town members and 10/6 for country Blem-bc-rs. ’ The meeting, after a vote of thanks to the chair, adjourned to a date to be fixed by the president and actingsccretary. ‘ '