CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2675, 3 December 1909, Page 6

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

W\ - FIRST ANNUAL MEETING. . ■ -V . ~- . . . C; 7 . , The first annual meeting of the GisChamber of Commerce was held ;* last night in Clare’s rqoms, Gladstone if- I ' - ' Road.' Mr. John .Tcwnley (president) occupied the chair, and there was a 0: moderate •atfeeiidan.ee of members. I were received from Messrs t_ C. A. deLautour, Geo. Hills, A. Dew-, ing, "and A. F. Kennedy for non-at-tendance. ANNUAL REPORT, ' The Council submitted the following reporty ... Gentlemen,—Ylour council begs to. , present,its first annual report for the year ending 30th November. 1909, ■briefly referring to some of the more important matters which have occupied ;.;its attention during that period. !' >.:■;£ It is 'now twelve months ..since the Chamber became an active body and it is generally admitted that it has now taken its proper position in the ■' town as a body formed to watch over protect and stimulate the commerce of this district. It i,s gratifying to be able to report • that the Chamber has been well sup2>orted by the business people of the town. The membership now stands at j forty-seven and the balance-sheet for K the year snows a satisfactory surplus, lii * At the early part of the year it was . found that a council of eight members f was insufficient, owing to members beS*. ing so constantly out of town, and the number was fncreased to sixteen with y marked success, every subsequent meet. | ing being fully attended. Thirteen ■executive and three general meetings have been held during the year and the following matters amongst others have : engaged the close attention of the Chamber. Telephone Service. Your council made strong representations to the ; Postal authorities to grant a continuous telephone service for Gisborne. Though it was not found practical to concede this altogether, a Sunday service was granted and this has proved a great benefit to the public. Trade Discounts.—A sub-committee was appointed to go into the matter of uniform trade discounts. The subcommittee, consisting of Messrs Kells, t. O’Meara, Wacbsmann, and Toneycliffe, went very thoroughly into -this question, and after careful consideration, a uniform table of trade discounts was ■adopted by the Chamber at a general meeting. Export Values.—Your council approached the Customs Department re a uniform value to be put on our exports for "statistical returns. The De- ; 'partment gladly accepted the Chamber’s assistance, and values are now carefully clie'cked each month by a special sub-committee. This ensures a correct and fair value being credited to this district’s exports. Rates of Commission on . Sales.—As no uniform rate of commission on sales existed in the town the Chamber took ! v up the matter and appointed a committee to work out a fair scale of com'mission to be charged by agents. This p" committee now recommends a scale which will be submitted to you at the meeting. , . Centralisation of Stamps and Deeds Department. —A strong protest-against this proposal was sent to headquarters and as other' Chambers combined together in this direction it has apparently been allowed‘tp drop and the. districthas escaped from being saddled with a serious inconvenience. Bankruptcy Act—As an amendment of this Act is contemplated this sesamn your Chamber- is urging that the Act be amended so as to make bankruptcy a less easy method of wiping off just liabilities, which in many cases the bankrupt has made little or no tfforfc to overcome. Furthermore your Council adopted a resolution proposed by Mr F. AV. Riach, who has given the matter very close study, “that to meet the case of goods held under unregistered bill of sale, it should be made an act of bankruptcy if possession has been taken of any property of a debtor ; " under an unregistered security. ’ this has been forwarded to the Minister of Justice, and it is confidently expected that combined action with bring about the desired reforms which traders can readily see are of very great importance to them. , Primage Duty.—Your Council joined with other Chambers in strongly oppos"H inc this proposed troublesome and unworkable duty, and it is satisfactory to note that the combined action of Chambers has brought about the desired result. ' ™. ' Napier-Wellington Railway Timetable.—This matter, of most vital importance to Gisborne is being keenly watched by the Chamber. Strong protests have been made to the Minister of Railways against what is considered as a step likely' to prejudicially affect our travelling and. mail facilities, which are already exasperatingly meagre, i: and should the alteration show the least suspicion of proving a backward % step the Chamber has resolved to concentrate its whole effort in removing the unjust hindrance to the district’s | progress and to, see that Gisborne ,se- ~ cures the consideration due. to a tos.i and district of its size and imports-i»ce. V 1 Turning to. matters concerning the i general welfare of the town and dis- j trict, it is pleasing to note that the . past year has been one of steady progress in spite of the financial depres-\ . sion that will long cause 1908-9 to be remembered in the annals of commerce, for never since the depression that lifted twenty years ago has there been such a difficulty in obtain ing. cash for ■ordinary requirements. That it is very generally conceded that this district has least of all felt the effects is no small indication of its soundness and future possibilities. Without going fully into the various causes which unfortunately joined hands at one time to bring about a financial stringency throughout .the Dominion, it is-perhaps sufficient to refer to the main cause, pi- : jiamely -the drop in wool values, and also to draw attention to the fact that last year for the first time since 1886 the Dominion’s imports exceeded its exports, the loss being about £350,000, against a usual balance the way of about three millions. It is sigmfiw; cant that the decrease in value of .one Y article of export should so materially. affect our welfare, and while the object As lesson no doubt has had effect in prov- , f ing the necessity of fostering our neglected sources of export, it is. perhaps |iv. enough to indicate- one direction from b a local standpoint, namely, fruit industry. It is incredible that New Zcalt land, probably the best fruit growing !>;. country in the world, should import Ik};- annually fruit to the value of a quarter fe- -c . "million sterling. . ■ r the speedy progress of this dis- I it is necessary to refer to- the nr- \ necessity, of opening up the vast cupied territory .lying between Gis- ? and Auckland, the importance oY ing on 'our local railway, and the of traders )and the public geneof loyally .supporting local indus-

J : . ' ' '•■;•, , . trios, namely our. saw-mills, brick works, blitter factories, and soap-works, for by the prosperity of such industries cities are built. It is sincerely to be hoped that the time is not far distant when woollen and flour'nulls and fruit canning works will be added to this list. It is satisfactory to note substantial increases of borough and- district values, and J the volume of wool, meat, and butter exports, and while we can : congratulate ourselves on this satisfactory position, it . -nevertheless believes members of this Chamber to stir .themselves to continued activity by. keeping in mind the crude state of our facilities for communication with, the rest of New Zealand, the necessity of securing better, roads, drainage, and all the requirements which go towards a town healthy, prosperous, and-pleasant to live.in, and to work together with the determination of. placing the.town in the position it is entitled to occupy in the Dominion. The thanks\of the Chamber are due to the Borough Council for the free use of their rooms and to the press for the strong support -given to this Chamber’s, efforts to- further the interests of this f town and district. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the Chairman reviewed the 'efforts of the Chamber for the good of the district. The balancesheet was also satisfactory, r a credit balance of. £39 7s 2d being shown, with no liabilities. Tie congratulated the. Chamber on .the-work done, and remarked that owing to their isolation they had to push on as best they could. The Chamber was composed of men who were anxious to do all they could for the advancement of the district. , _ ~ Mr. AA 7 . Lissant Clayton seconded the motion, 'remarking on the vitality of the Chamber last year in comparison, with former years. ‘A. great deal of the success of the year -had been due to the efforts of the chairman and Air. Traill (secretary), the latter having sho-wn a- most extraordinary amount of energy in connection with the. Chamber. °Thev had now' undoubtedly the nucleus of a good strong Chamber of Commerce. The motion ou being put to the meeting was carried unanimously. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers for the. year resulted as follows: —President, Air. John Townlev (re-elected);. vice-presi-dent, Air. A. S. AVachsmann; council, Messrs T. J. Adair, J. AY. Bright, E. AV. Burton, C. J- Bennett. AY. Lissant Clayton A. Dewing, It. Johnston, J. B. ‘Kells, J. It. Kirk, AV. D. Lysnar, J. It. Redstone. T. E. Toneycliffe. T. Corson, A. F. Kennedy. I. S. Simson, It. AA 7 . Ivyme; lion, auditor. Mr. H. EAlaude; lion, secretary, Air. F. H. AY . Traill (re-elected) Air AVm. Pettie complimented the Chamber on the excellent balancesheet. In view of the amount of money carried forward, he moved that a donation of £3 3s be made, to the Cook County A\ 7 onien’s Guild. In doing so, he paid a tribute to the excellence of the work done by the Guild. . The motion was not seconded, and was withdrawn by. Air. Pettie. The following new members were elected: Messrs F. C. Fiddy, A. T. Hookey, H. E. Dodd, and J. Howie (honorary). A SOCIAL GATHERING At.the conclusion of the meeting, an excellent collation was partaken of, and a toast list gbne through. In -proposing the toast of “Local Commerce and Industries,” Mr. J. R. Kirk, said that the prosperity of the district was largely dependent on the amount of commerce transacted. They had representatives of all industries present, and Jt could be said that the district, was one which lent itself most admirably to development. Local cohlmerce must of course tend to increase the commerce- of the Dominion, and' it was to he hoped that those in whose c*re the destinies of commerce were would take care to see that they were properly carried out.’ He. believed there was a great future for the bee industry in this district, and referred to the proposed appointment of an inspector. The district also was eminently adapted for the establishment of frnit-canning works, and the figures quoted “or butter anti clicese exports were astonishing. The .different firms did their best to see that the progress of the district was looked after, . and it only wanted care and attention to make Gisborne one of the most jvrosperous .and pleasant part;; 0 f the Dominion.

In responding, Air. F. AA 7 . Riach said that the commercial interests of any district depended u]»ii tlie means of communication to outside territory. Commerce had made rapid strides during the two 3’ears and a-half he had been in Gisborne, and they had reason to congratulate themselves on the manner in which they had weathered the financial storm. He referred; to :re groat increase in the trade and industries, dealing separately with the latter. Some day they would see a daily milk train comir:g into Gisborne,- and there were'great- possibilities in"' the cheese . industry. After referring to other manufactures <>f the district, he stated that the soap being inamifactured ip Gisborne was far and away superior to anything that" was being imported. If the industries were properly prosecuted there was an immense future for Poverty Bay with its great back'coiintry when the latter was made available for closer settlement. '; . ;

The next toast was that of the “Agricultural and'Pastoral Industries.” In projxising it, Air. J. AA 7 . Bright referred to it as being the most important one off the evening. It was the prosperity of the country that went for. the prosperity of the town, and’vice versa. They all. realised that the district was emerging from a most serious financial crisis/and the manner in which it was doing so reflected - great credit on the recuperative powers of the district. It had been a most anxious time, but siich times had a most salutory effect in teaching them Y the stern lessons of economy and strict attention to business. During the good years which he hoped - were coming now, they would thus'he able to ceive the cycle of‘lean years with composure I and confidence. Proceeding, Air. Bright reviewed the advance in the pastoral industry during his 23 .years’ residence in Gisborne, and said that the establishment of the freezing industries had clone much to help on. the progress and development of the district. The industry had .developed enormously of recent years, and wps still going laihead rapidly. This district was not a particularly agricultural one. hut the farmers were, he was glad to say, becoming : mo,re fully alive t-o tbe necessity of the - most up-to-date methods of farming. Notwithstanding all that Had been said, the Poverty P-.' land'was the cheapest in New Zealand, 'and,it was thus that they were able to meet with composure - the bad times when - they came along. . He trusted

that the agricultural 'and pastoral industries would continue to prosper* and if they had full confidence in themselves and in the district they would live to see Poverty Bay taking its place in the commerce of the Dominion. Mr AV. Lissant Clayton responded. There -was no doubt that the (prosperity of the town was indissolubly connected with/,the; agricultural and pastoral industries of the district. Not as much credit was ascribed to the backblocks farmer as should be, 'and if it were not for the farmers the town would be a , negligible quantity. The fanners went'through all the hard times, and could well be termed public benefactors.. The financial stability of many countries was dependent on the agricultural and pastoral industries. • It was owing to these industries that the district had emerged so well as it had from the recent financial crisis and time of depression. The future prosperity of the Empire depended on the farming community, and it was the yeoman of England that had put her in the proud position she occupied. It was to the country they had to look for the bone and muscle, and even in this little district they had to look at things from the standpoint of Empire, and not alone of the Dominion of New Zealand. In proposing the toast of the “Borough of Gisborne,” Air. J,. B. Kells referred to the strides made in ten or twelve years in municipal matters, and he trusted he should live to see Gisborne grow to be a large and important city which would undoubtedly come to pass when the back country was properly onenod up. The Mayor (Air.- AA 7 . D. Lysnar) said there was no question the town was -growing, and growing fast. They wanted to make the surroundings comfortable, and to have facilities to enjoy life. If they did so. they would attract people to live in the community, and those who had made their money here also wanted to be made comfortable. They stood third, fourth, and fifth on the'export list of the Dominion, and last year the exports were over one million sterling. This should give them confidence to strengthen their position, and if, with the country only half developed, they could do tins, what could they do when the country was opened up If they got full value for their money they would stand second to none as.a place to live in. He hoped 'that in the near future the borouorji- would be able to make the surroundings of the town so pleasant and comfortable as to attract other people to the place. “Harbor Facilities was the next toast, and it was entrusted to Air. 1 • \Z Toneycliffe. He said theyVall aplxiared to have faith in the district and in the possibilities of tlie district, and it was these things that were going to enable them to have harbor facilities. To be a prosperous community they must have harbor facilities. The harbor facilities of the present day were little better than in the days of Captain Cook. He asked them if they were really in earnest in the speeches they had made, and did they realise the possibilities of the district when properly opened up ? AA 7 hen the A-lin-lster of Agriculture was in Gisborne, he (the speaker) had been surprised to hear from the speeches oi tlie enormous wealth of tlie country through which the railway was to run. All these things showed what the cohntrv was capable of. and it was most pleasing to mark tlie progress of the district. They ought to be up and doing m the matter of the harbor, as with the industries as tliev were, they undoubtedly required better shipping facilities. There was not another part of tlie l)o----mTinon that was suffering from such primitive facilities. The river must of course be kept open . until they conk got something better. It might be. said that a harbor would not pav, but the same had been said time and again of other harbors and of industries before ihev were commenced. Continuing, the'speaker quoted figures relating to the progress of Timaru Jiarbor. winch had been most marked. The land tlieie was not as good as here, and the harbor had done for Timaru what rt would do for Gisborne. AVitliout progress they would have stagnation-; and they wanted men who would go m with might and main for an outer harbor. With the railway extending, Gisborne should bo the distributing centre for right up to Opotiki. and without a harbor this was impossible. I.hey ouerht to remove any doubt from the minds of the peopledn regard to having to’pay extra rates in connectimi with an outer harbor, and any little rate would be more than made up for by tlie increase in the exports and imports •In his opinion the + mak.ng ot an outer harbor was to be the key for the future success of the distnct of controverted many of the- stateiyen s made? by Air. Toneycliffe- He contended that the harbor facilities at Resent were not bad, and they should endeav m to improve what they had got, as- J must be many years before, they could got:ah- For the cxnenditure up to the present the facilities were 'very good. Nearly a 1 the goods brought here wore first landed m Mmkland a lid then brought up the rivex. They got tlie -goods smartly from the steamers Kerc, and he ventured to say quicker than in Timaru. or Napier. The lack of harbor facilities had -not kept the district hack, but rather it was. the native trouble 'and the condition ot their roads; : lie held that'they wanted to; push on tihe. railway, open up .the interior -of the* back country, .and then that would demand better shipping facilities. AVhen the dredge cam© to hand the present facilities would be vastly improved, and would do the port for a very long’time. Shipmasters had expressed the that for quick despateh they would just as soon come to Gisborne- ’as to any other port an the Dominion. With the outer harbor they would have to strike a rate, and with a'ld rate in the county it. would mean a levy "of about £7OOO from the borough.' Tlio Board was endeavoring, as far as. they could, to improve the snipping facilities "of. the port. - In the oaily days cargoes of stock were sent away frequently .with considerable loss, and facilities were satisfactory to the- ehipnow they could say that the shipping pars—the people to be considered. The toast of the “Press” was proposed by Air. J. R- Kirk,-and responded to by .tiie representatives present. The next matter .was a, hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman.whose health was proposed by Air,' Pettie, and enthusiastically honored. 1 Air. • Townlcy, who was accorded a flattering reception, gave, in reply, some most interesting reminiscences of the early davs in Gisborne. The health of the_. Secretary. Air. Traill, vjas proposed "lw Air. Burton, an,d responded to bv Air. Traill, who expressed his, (Pen appreciation of the kind remarks that had been, made regarding him. I The gathering then terminated.