CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 June 1917, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ANNUAL MEETING. ' The annual meeting of the T&rantlf Chamber of Commerce was held in the Soldiers' Club last night, Mr. A. MeHardy, vice-president, in the absence of the president, Mr. J. D. Sole, owing to indisposition, being in the chair. The following members were also present: Messrs S. W. Shaw, W. J. Penn, A. Goldwater, W. Ambury, 0. N. Firth, D. K. Morrison, F. S. Johns, R, C. Hughes, 6. I-'raser, H. Cocker and Newton King. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs J. W. Hayden, E. P. Webster,, J. Paton, M, Fraßer,,and C. EL Burgess. A letter was received from the prert. dent, expressing regret at his inability to bo present. He took the opportunity of thanking the council for the valuable help they had accorded him during the year. As he desired to see the membership of the chamber largely increased, so that its sphere of influence might be widened, he suggested that a small committee be appointed to wait <m the business people of the town, with the object of inducing them to become members. Now that the freezing works were established and the advent of direct shipping was a reality, the Taranaki district would no doubt progress tremendously, and an influential Chamber of Commerce might do much to assist in that progress. He wished It noted that he could not accept nomination on the council for the forthcoming year, as he had been advised to take as much rest as possible during the next three months. He strongly recommended the appointment of Mr. E. h. Humphries to the secretaryship.—The chairman said he was sure they all sympathised with Mr. Sole in his bad health, aifcl regretted that lie was not able to attend the meeting. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report stated that the year started with a credit of £l3 4s 2d and ended with a credit of £lO 13s. During tho year Now Plymouth 'was advertised in the Auckland Weekly New* at a coat of £35, which it is hoped to collect from business people deriving benefit Regret was expressed at tho death of'the secretary, Mr. H. Stocker. Dnrtng the year a deputation had waited upon the late Dr. M'Nab re Tatu telephone. Mr. 8. H. Dalton, British Trade Commiißioner, had addressed a public meeting. The chamber convened public meeting! to discuss the war loan proposals, to appoint a Board of Trustees to work i'i conjunction with the National Efficiency Board, and also a meeting to celebrate the arrival of the first Home liner*, The Council discussed the Finance Bill and suggested alterations, and with tho help of other chambers wore able to get the qjnitses amended. Action was also taken in conjunction with tho BaWera Chamber of Commerce to endeavor to yet t-hft-morning train from Hawera to New Plymouth speeded «t>, but the Sinister was unable to accede to the request. The CoWal had also taken action in many otter metters of lotal interest with satisfactory result; The chairman briefiv moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet. The motion was seconded by Mr. 0. N. Firth, and carried,

ELECTION OP OFFICERS, I'he following officers wcre. s eleeted for the ensuing year:—President:—Mr. A. McHardy; vice-president, Mir. F, S. .Tohns; council, Messrs Newton King, W. T. Pann. S.'M. Shaw, C.'H. Burgesi, .T. Paton. D. K. Morrison, W. Arabury, E. P. Webster, H. Cocker, A. Goldwatar, 0. N T . Firth, and Haydeo; audit*>r,Mr. Hugh Baily. The chairman said the secretary, Mr. A. L. Humphries, had resigned, an he was about to go to tlio front. The appointment of his successor rested with the council, who, no doubt, would take Mr. Sole's recommendation into consideration. On the motion of Mr. Penn, seconded by Mr. Newton King, it was resolved, to place on record the chamber's high appreciation of the long and valuable Mrvices rendered by Mr. J. B. Connett as a member of the council. EXCESS PROFITS TAX. Mr. Penn moved: "That in the ojfaion of this Chamber the excess profits tax is inequitable and unjust in its incidence and should be repealed, and that the necessary revenue should be raised by more equitable methods." Other chambers, ho said, were taking similar action. The chairman: What substituted you propose ? Mr. Penn said it had been suggested that the old land and income-tax should be increased. He had merely proposed the motion, however, in order to aseer> tain the feeling of the meeting. Mr. Johns seconded the motion, It was unnecessary to s*y much about it, as everyone knew that the tax wa» unjust' and unfair. In last week's Mercantile Gazette an instance had been given of a young business, the profits ot which had been £2500 for the year And tha tax had amounted to £IBOO,

The chairman thought everyone would agree with the motion, and that the matter should bo dealt with diildng the coining session. 'Mr. Penn mentioned an instance in Much a man had been taxed on pjrofits which had really accrued in previous .years, although ho had only been Me to collect them this yeais owing to his debtors being in a better -financial position.

, Mr. Newton King said profits'- acerned in previous years became capital, and if they were treated as excess profit* yesterday it had probably been due dimply to hook-keeping, ■ The motion was carried,,and it wa»' decided to forward a copy of it to the Acting-Premier and the member foe the district. ; J, ' .sagg