The relationship between politicians and the chambers of commerce was often a close one – in some cases they were one and the same. This 1953 chamber of commerce dinner, with Jack Allum (right) sitting along from Prime Minister Sidney Holland (second from left), provides an example. Like many chamber members, Allum was involved in many organisations. He was president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, and first a city councillor and then, from 1941 to 1953, mayor of Auckland. At various times he was president of the Auckland Employers’ Association and the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association, and the national federations to which each belonged. He was chair of the Auckland Transport Board, on the board of governors of Seddon Memorial Technical College, and, for 33 years, president of the Auckland Kindergarten Association.