CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2664, 20 November 1909, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

EXECUTIVE MEETING

The Executive of the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce met yesterday afternoon in the Borough Council Chambers. Mr. John Townley presided, and others pre.seijt were : Messrs J. R, Ivirk, Toneycliffe, ltiach, Johnson, O’Meara, 'Kells. Lissant Clayton, and the secretary (Mr. Traill). A letter was received from the Whangs rei Chamber soliciting help in the matter of agitating for the removal of restrictions on the settlement of Native lands, especially as regarded small pieces of Maori land not occupied or required by their owners. A committee consisting of Messrs Rees. Townley. and Kirk was appointed to deal with the matter and make the necessary representation to the' Government. A circular letter was (received from the President of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Shipping, requesting the interest of the Gisborne Chamber on behalf of direct traffic with the port of Bristol, requesting to bo furnished with the names of shippers of produce, in order that he might “get into personal touch with them, and stating that he was prepared to introduce agents and brokers who would undertake any kind of business on terms advantageous to shippers. On the motion of Mr. O’Meara, it was resolved to reply to the letter, and give the information requested. On the .suggestion of Mr. Townley, Messrs Kirk and ltiach were appointed to interview the Postmaster with regard to ine need for more pillar-boxes ill the town. On Mr. Clayton’s suggestion they were also asked to mention the inconvenience caused by the regulation requiring the public to wait and stamp their own telegrams. On the motion of Mr. Kells, seconded by Mr. Riacli, the following resolution was passed—“ That this Chamber indicate to the Minister for Commerce the inconvenience attending to warehousemen in the collection of primage duty, and request that some other method be introduced by which such duty might be collected. Mr. Riacli .proposed that in view of the proposed amendment of the Bankruptcy Act, the Chamber should submit to the Minister for Justice the • following proposition—“ That to meet the case of goods held under unregistered bill of sale, it should be mad- r.n act of bankruptcy if possession had boon taken of any property of a debtor under an unregistered security.” The motion was carried, and it was decided to send a copy to the Grcyinouth Chamber. After a speech on the loan proposals of the Borough Council, Mr. Toneycliffe put forward a resolution in support of the progressive policy embodied ii) the proposals. Mr* Townley seconded the resolution. Mr. Lissant Claton asked Mr. Toneycliffe to withdraw his motion on the grounds that it would open up a controversial question, and for this Chamber either to endorse the borough loan proposals or condemn them would be in the highest degree improper. Mr. Riacli agreed with Mr. Clayton. Mr. Kirk, however, said that Mr. Toneycliffe was to he commended for his public spirit in bringing the matter forward. They were there on behalf of commerce and on behalf of the town, and the was of paramount importance. "V hether it were withdrawn or not the bringing forward of the motion would have served a geed purpose. Mr Toneycliffe accordingly asked permission to withdraw the resolution, which was granted.