MASTERTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10719, 28 September 1912, Page 5

MASTERTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MEETIMG OF COUNCIL. Hit, monthly meeting of the Council of tho Masterton Chamber of Comraorco was held in Murray's Hall yesterday afternoon, thero being present Messrs A. Henderson (president), O. -E. Daniel), J. B. Keith, D. M. Graham, W. B. Chennells, G. W. Sellar, G. C. Summe,rell and J. Brown. Apologies were received from MessrsSpain, Chamberlain, Moodie, D. Donald and G. H. Perry. The treasurer reported a credit balance at date of £l7 6s lid. A letter was read from the Napier Chamber, drawing attention to th« ! very bad arrangement for handling ! cement introduced by the Federation of Labour.—The matter was referred t-o the now Council for consideration. The Wellington Chamber of Commerce advised that, copies of the circular in regard to the Masterton-W»i-pukurau railway had been distributed amongst its members. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Chamber was then held, there being present Messrs .T. C. Cooper, R. U. Harden* Hodgkins and J. Caselberg, in addition to those present at the Counci? , meeting.

The annual report and balanoetaken as read. In m the report, the retiring president IMr-Ifen-derson) said it would be generally a<l- ~ mitted that the town and districts had had a satisfactory year, and thai? the indications for the future we,reencouraging. The stability of the district was reflected in the bankruptcy returns, which showed that there had! not been a bankruptcy in the town since December lltli last. Tho prosperity was also reflected in the labour report and the building permits issued. The prospects for New Zealand wool were bright, and the prospect of the reduction in the American tariff was encouraging. The frozen meat and dairy produce markets hrwf also been good. The freezing worksat the Walngawa had proved a distinct boon to the district, and were making satisfactory progress. Whil&things were prosperous, the president thought that they should as a community Ik> • cautious. The present stringency in the money market was, he thought, due to the increase in imports and decrease in exports. The price of land was also too high. Mr Henderson commented upon tho large amount, of money locked up in motor cars. Ho quoted banking returns 4 to show that riVcr £3,000,000 had been fraw the bnnks ii the year 1 ending §6bii June, 1912. in exees& of the previous year. The president quoted the imports and exports, which,., showt* that they would have fetilff a bad way InTc' it. not hecn for tie high prices ruling £or Di'OchtcS. MfHenderson then proceeded td deal with the work done by tho Chamber d\irin<r the year. He claimed that the criticisms levelled at the Chamber had not been warranted. Tn conclusion, lie thanked the members of I the Council for the assistance they had given him during the year. Mr Darnell congratulated the re«tiring president upon his excellent review of the past year, and seconded the motion for the adoption oF the report. He did not think tho Chamber was as effective as it should be. He would like to see it more representative than it was. There should be no necessity to form separate leagues in connection, with closer settlement, railways, and such like. He thought they should push their industries and their commercial interests. . He was of opinion that the membership of the Chamber should be doubled. Ho paid jv tribute to the good work done by the secretary. THE PRESIDENCY.

On the motion of Mr Henderson, seconded by Mr J. Caselberg, Mr C. E. Daniell was unanimously elected president for the ensuing year. .

Mr Daniell thanked the membeps. for the honour conferred upon him. He was of a restless nature, but he thought tkov should do their best to I push forward the interests of the diV ; trict. Commenting upon the railway ! system, Mr Daniell stated that thf> time was not far distant when .thev must secure a deviation of the Rimntaka railway. The politicians wero endeavouring to get a railway from Featherston to Martinborough, but he was of opinion that the proper route for the railway was from Grey town and Woodside. They had also the mail services and other matters to attend to. OTHER OFFICERS. On the motion of Mr G. 0. Summered, Mr P. T. Spain was unanimously elected vice-president. The following Council was elected: Messrs A. Henderson, Hodgkins, G. W. SeTlar, J. Caselberg, J. C. Cooper, J. B. Keith, Donald, W. B. Chenuells, R. Brown, J. Brown, E. H. Waddington, D. M. Graham, G. M. Perry, D. K. Logan and G. C. Summer ell. Mr E. H. Waddington was re-elected auditor. GENERAL BUSINESS. A communication was received from the Department of Internal Affairs; asking for suggestions to .be placed before the proposed Imperial Commission.—The communication was "received." On the motion of Mr Daniell, seconded by Mr Keith, it was .decided that the resolution passed at the last meeting in reference to the ftip' , T<diarv Magistrate not living in the district, be forwarded to the Minister of Justice and the members for Masterton and Wnirarapa. Votes of .thanks to the retiring: president and other officers concluded til© meeting.