CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 March 1921, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

THE QUARTERLY MEETING. , POWER BOARD SCHEME. The quarterly meeting of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce was held last night, Mr. E. P. Webster (president) presiding over a good attendance of members. The secretary of the Taranaki Progress League (Mr. W. Power) wrote notifying that the executive had expressed itself as in favor of the formation of one power board for the whole of the Taranaki provincial district, and the league desired to know the feeling of the chamber on the subject. It was pointed out that the chief Government electrical engineei (Mr. L. Birks) had strongly recommended that immediate steps should be taken in the direction suggested. The president said at this juncture he did not think the chamber could furnish a report on the subject. It required careful consideration, and before they passed any opinion the, matter should be gone into fully. Other parts of the district had certainly recognised the fact that the New Plymouth power scheme possessed great possibilities. There was no doubt that the district as a whole would be safeguarded without the formation of a Power Board. While the New Plymouth Council had power to sell, prospective consumers were protected iu the matter of price, as the limit was fixed by the Government. Mr. S. W. Shaw fiaid it seemed that the residents of New Plymouth had committed themselves to the raising and spending of ty large amount of money, and that wing the case they were entitled to the benefits from the scheme. A sub-committee consisting, of the President and Messrs, T. C. List, J. R. Cruilßtshank and D. Morrison was set up to confer with the Borough Council and reply to.the league’s request. GENERAL. A communication was received from the secretary to the Repatriation Committee notifying that under instructions from the Ministerial Board the personnel of the committee had been reduced, and he expressed to the chamber appreciation of the. work of its representative (Mr. E, Whittle) whilst a member. Mr. J. Paton wrote tendering his resignation, and notifying that Mr. D. H. Thomson would in future represent the New Zealand Insurance Compay on the chamber. The resignation was accepted with regret, the chamber recording its* appreciation of Mr. Paton’s serv;e during his membership. Regarding the suggestion that certain lines of imported merchandise for Wanganui could be more advantageously shipped through New Plymouth than via the main ports, the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce wrote notifying that it was prepared to receive a deputation from the Taranaki Chamber The matter was referred to the shipping committee.

A letter was read from Mr. W. Power, secretary to the Taranaki Progress League, urging that the chamber should affiliate with the league, in view of the fact that there were many important works of provincial interest which should be attended to by a united Taranaki. It was decided to join the league.

Regarding the proposed visit to New Plymouth of the General .Manager of Railways (Mr. R. W. McVilly), a copy of a telegram was forwarded by Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., from Mr. McVilly stating that he would be unable to mAe the trin until the close of the Parliamentary session, but he hoped to visit Taranaki shortly after the. House rose.