LOOKING BACK
The Herald
100 years ago BULAWAYO, 14 October 1919. — A letter was then read from the Bulawayo Chamber of Commerce submitting Memorandum of Articles of the proposed Association of Chambers of Commerce of Rhodesia, which had been recommended by the provisional executive committee.
The letter stated that the furtherance of the objects in view could run on one or two distinct lines:
(a) To call together at a suitable time and place the presidents of the five Chambers of Commerce or Southern Rhodesia to further discuss the Articles of Association; and (b) to at once arrange for a congress to be held, say, the Articles of Association as might be deemed necessary.
The letter continued that the executive committee favoured the latter course, and it was suggested that the first congress take place during the first week in December at Bulawayo, at the same tie the centre where the congress should be held would be left to the other Chambers to decide.
The Herald
75 years ago SALISBURY, 14 October 1944. — With the publication in the Government Gazette yesterday of the very comprehensive terms in reference for the Commission of Inquiry appointed by His Excellency the Governor to inquire into and report on the mining industry of Southern Rhodesia, the country is now promised a thorough investigation of present conditions in this important industry, and thereafter, it is hoped, a series of recommendations for its expansion on sound lines.
Differing opinions the position of the industry today and its future had the inevitable effect in recent months of disturbing the general public and men engaged in other industries, all of whom fully appreciated the important place of mining in the economic structure of the Colony, and therefore could not be expected to remain silent and inactive on a matter that concerned all.
The employment prospects of the men now serving with the Forces was one of the many aspects of the prolonged and lively controversy to which special attention was rightly directed.
The Herald
50 years ago SALISBURY, 14 October 1969. — The Salisbury City Council will be asked to pay the full cost of living increases of salaried members of the Salisbury Municipal Employees’ Association ( SMEA) if the Association will unreservedly withdraw, “for all the time”, a 5½ percent salary increase claim for these men.
This recommendation, made by the General Purposes Committee, will be considered by the Council at its meeting on Thursday.
The Association has asked for both the salary increase and that Council bear the full “cost of living fluctuations” instead of the 50 percent it contributes at present.
The claims have been made for two reasons. The SMEA feel its members have lost 5½ percent of their salaries in the past two years by sharing with Council the “constant rise” in the cost of living.
It also claims “conditions have vastly improved” and feels the time “is overdue when these increases can now be accommodated”.
The Herald
25 years ago GWANDA, 14 October 1994. — The new site for Gwanda Zimtech College had been serviced and the detailed design of the phase one of the project had been completed.
Non-constituency MP Cde Sikwili Moyo asked Minister of Higher Education Cde Stan Mudenge about the progress made at the college since the project started in 1987
Cde Mudenge, whose answers were given on his behalf by the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Cde John Nkomo, said phases three, four and five were still at driving drawing board stage.
More than $3,5 million was needed to commence construction this year, while $9,9 million was needed to complete phase one of the college.
It was unlikely that construction work would starts this year as there was no money.
Cde Mudenge said the Public Service Investment Programme this year gave priority the construction of the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo so there was no allocation for GZC.