CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 September 1920, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

QUARTERLY MEETING. At the quarterly meeting of the Tarauaki Chamber of Commerce, held last evening, there was a goodl attendance of members, the vice-president (Mr. T. C. List) occupying the chair in the unavoidable absence of the president (Mr. IS. I'. Webster), COMPULSORY LOANS. A communication was received from the Canterbury Chamber directing attention to. and asking support i'oi; the following Resolution: "That this council strongly protests against the principle of compulsory loans for other than urgent war necessities, and considers the proposed action of the Government as a dangerous precedent and contrary to all principles of British freedom "and liberty." Mr. C. H. Burgess remarked that a lot of people escaped contributing .during the war, and there* was. an opportunity now for the Government to make these people pay. The chairman remarked that contributions to war loans were taken into consideration by tile Taxation Department in assessing contributions mider the last compulsory loans. The number called 011 compul'sorily was very small, and it was gratifying to find that, the vast majority were patriotic enough to come forward and help the Government with monetary support. There u%s no doubt that compulsory contributions restricted commerce, as money was wanted urgently for the development of the country and the extension of industries. On the other hand, the Government must have money to carry on its post-war reconstruction and development work, it might be claimed that the Government would get tlie money if they paid high enough interest. If the Government did this, commerce would be hit again, because the rate to others must also <ni up. Subsequently it was resolved, on the motion of Messrs Burgess and McHardy, that the Chamber is of opinion the matter is one that should be left to the discretion of the Government, bnt the hope was expressed that it would not be necessary to apnlv compulsion in futur:' loans. THE CO-OPERATIVE BUILDING SCHEME. Inquiry was made by Mr. Tribe as' to whether the council had received any information in. regard to the proposal made to the Government by four bigcontracting firms to build 2500 houses'. He expressed the opinion that the proposals were a serious menace to the community, involving, as they did, the commandeering of all building materials and the cessation of all build" ing work except schools and hospitals. -Mr. T. I£. Bates said it was first announced that the proposal was not being entertained, but since then advice had been received to the effect that the government was re-considering the offer, and was only deferring the matter because of finance. The adoption of the scheme ;*ould have serious effects, p; u -. ticularly so after the expiry of the twelve, months' contract period. During this time the firms concerned would control something like two millions of money, and would probably gain control of all the timber mills throughout the country, forming one combine, with which the consumer would be faced when private building operations were resumed. . The chairman inquired how it was known that the Government was reconsidering the proposal. Mr. Bates replied that information to* this efleet had come through the secretary of the Institute of Architects at Wellington. It was probable that a special, conference between architects and builders would be called at Wellington within a week to consider the whole question. It was decided that the position be I investigated by the council, with power ' to take any action and call a special ' meeting of the Chamber if "necessary. { GENERALS The Chamber decided to ask the- Ha:- I bor Board to provide telephonic Sftcilifcs I at the wharf, for shipping atij the travelling public. At Mr. Cocker's instance, the council was asked to consider the question of' dispensing entirely with alcoholic liquor at any future public luii/Oheon. The question of flyancing luncheons was referred to tho council. Messrs T. 11. t^ es and Besl6 were elected ' ■