CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19146, 1 November 1927, Page 10

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

The annual conference of the Asso- ! dated Chambers of Commerce which has been held in Christchurch, was concluded yesterday, when the remaining remits were dealt with. Mr W. Machin presided. Mr H. P. Caughey (Auckland) moved the adoption-of the following remit ; ■ ■ ■ i i * "In "the interests of the whole» oj the Chambers of Commerce in*<«wZealand, it is desirable that all Chambers should make a practice of sending newspaper cuttings on anything relating; to other Chambers of Commerce appearing in their local Press, to tne Chamber concerned." . , , Mr T. H. Rice (Wanganui) seconded the motion, which was carried. "That the date of the annual conference of Associated Chambers be altered to earlier in the year in order to ensure the decisions arrived at by ttie conference Heine; available to be. placed before Ministers and members of Parliament during .the session ot that year." The foregoing remit was moved »y Mr H. P. Caughey (Auckland).. He said that the conference was too late to have any effect on Parliament; which was at present in session. Mr A. H. Mackrell (Wellington) seconded the remit-, stating that there was no reason , why the conference, should not ?>e held earlier. Mr W. Cow (Dimedin) suggested, that the conference be held in March, when Parliament was making up its: programme for the-session. A. J. Seed (Wellington) said that the rijxht'time to make-representations i regarding- legislation was immediately \ after the sitting, in ample time for the ; ne.-fc session. The speaker.was not of ; the opinion that an alteration of the : date would achieve- -the object aimed at. ;Mr H. S. E. Turner (Canterbury) said that November or December was the most suitable time for the conference. He supported the previous speaker, adding that the date already chosen .was the best. In reply Mr Caughey suggested that the conference be held four weeks earlier. He amended his remit to the i effect that the matter be referred _to the incoming executive, recommending; that the executive consider holding the j conference three.or four weeks earlier, i

This was adopted. Mr W. Gow (Dunedin) moved :. That the-Government, be requested to amend the Highways Act so that tflfe Highways Board shall take the initiative in regard to improvements of roads. and also to - give power to the Board to make special arrangements with a local body as to the amount of its contribution when in ths opinion of the Board it would appear that enforcement of present 'regulations would prove unduly oppressive. The motion was discussed at considerable length, and Anally the whole question was. referred to the executive.

•■ 31r D.. Seymour (Hamilton) -morad that in the opinion' of .this . conference the time has arrived when the regulations dated April 29th, 1919, and June 2nd, 1919, contained in Section 22 of the second schedule to the War -Regulations Continuance Act.' 1920, be repealed. . The'mov.ersaid the.motion replaced the' remit with regard to dis tress warrant affidavits—that the Government be requested to- "delete Clauses 3 .and 4 from Affidavit. MC1.75, that is, that defendant to an application for a distress warrant, is not an assisted discharged soldier, or a guarantor of a soldier, within the meaning of the War Regulations. Mr- Wright seconded - the .' motion, ■wi.iioh was,carried. The secretary's, salary was- increased co £l5O per annum, and a vote of ap-: nreciationof his services was passed.

. Financial Statement. The .financial statement disclosed that the.receipts for the year 1926-27 were £359. 6s-4'd, which, with the balance at October' 31st, 1936« £177 - 12s 2d, made'a total; of £536 18s 6d;. The payments were £268 lis lid, leaving a credit balance at October 21st, 1927, of £268 6s 7d. Subscriptions outstanding totalled £33 17s. '■"""■ Mr J. W. Collins, Under-Secretary of the Department for Industries and Commerce, said that he was taking steps to ensure that all Chambers of Commerce would have an oppdrtunitv of meeting Mr L. S, Amery. His post was as important to the people of the Dominion, as that of the Prime Minister of Great.Britain. ■ " Mr. Machin said Mr Amery was' a super-commercial traveller, : and . hb mission was the fostering of. trade. Electionof ..-Officers. : The election" of the remaining officers, resulted as follows; Vice-pres-ident, Mr H. P. Caughey (Auckland); executive, Messrs H. ■ S. E. Turner (Canterbury), H. C. Campbell (Dunedin), A. Simpson (Wellington) W J. Gilberd (Wanganui), and A. Fletcher (Wellington). Mr Machin made appreciative reference to the assistance of the Press; It was decided to hold the nest conference in "Wellington.