CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 June 1920, Page 5

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

PROSPERITY OF TARANAKI. HIGH LAND PRICES. The annual meeting of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce was held in the Soldiers' Club last night, the president, Mr. A. Goldwater, occupying the chair. There were also present: Messrs. W. ■J. Penn, P. Jackson, A. W. Webster, P.. C. Hughes, T. C. List, S. Teed, P. Sainton, A. Avery F. V. Clay, A. McHardy, J. Paton, E, H. Tribe, and C. E. Lightband.

The Council's annual report stated that although there was not a great deal of business done during the year, what was done was beneficial to the district. The Council regretted that the interest that was so marked formerly at the quarterly meetings had not blaen sustained. Dealing with the work undertaken during the year, the report 6tated that correspondence had been received from the Moving Pictures Exhibition of British Industries, in reply to which the chamber forwarded several views of the town. They anticipated in the near future -the arrival of delegates from that body, who are touring the Empire in the interest of British industries. The compulsory Saturday half-holiday 'had been discussed, and a remit was again sent to the annual conference of the Associated Chambers, asking the Government to pass the necessary legislation. If this was done it would be advantageous to New Zealand as a whole and more particularly to Taranaki, where the week .is spoilt by various days being observed in different towns. The report also referred to a number of improvements in the postal and telephone arrangements in the town which it had applied for to the Government. There were no deputations locally to Ministers of the Crown, but the council was represented on two deputations in Wellington, one in conjunction with the Awakino County Council in respect to the road north, and the other in conjunction with the Harbor Board in connection with direct shipments. Both deputations were successful, as the council understood a grant was made for the former, and they had knowledge of a steamer leaving the United Kingdom for New Plymouth next month. The council had also been in correspondence with the Union Steam Ship Company and the Northern Steam Ship Company with reference to steamer traffic to the port.

The balance-sheet showed a credit on the year's working of £'34. The president, in moving the adoption of tho report and balance-sheet, referred to the progress and prosperity of the district, as instanced by the targe increase of private buildings and business premises erected and in construction. The late war was in a large measure responsible for this, as their products were needed by the British Government and people, and he saw no reason why in the future this state of things should not continue for a good number of years. The depletion in the northern hemisphere of cattle and sheep, ana tho demand for their products, imist be sustained and prices keep to a good level. The high prices of their products had led to land increasing enormously in price. He did not know whether at the prices paid it would return large profits, but the farmers appeared to be satisfied with the position. The motion for the adoption of the report was seconded by Mr. T. C. List, and after a general discussion, was curried. The following officers were elected: President, Mr. E. P. Webster; vice-presi-dent, Mr. T. C. List; Council, Messrs. A. Goldwater, P. S. Johns, P. Stainton, G. Eraser, P. Jackson, A. McHardy, J. Paton, Newton King, A. W. Webster, D. K. Morrison, S. W. Shaw and C. H. Burgess; auditor, Mr. H. Baily. A letter was received from the Stratford Chamber of Commerce enclosing copy of resolution recently passed by that body protesting against the failure of the Lyttelton-Wellington ferry steamers to connect with the Taranaki mail train.—The letter was referred to the council.

The council was directed to give favorable consideration to an application from tho Workers' Educational Association for assistance in carrying out their work in Taranaki.