CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19176, 6 December 1927, Page 14

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The monthly meeting of the Council of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce was held last evening, Mr C. P. Agar (president) occupj'ing the chair. Other members present were: Messrs C. H. Hewlett, J. G. Herdman, W. H. Price. P. Davidson, W. Bottrell, F. W Hobbs, A. 0. Wilkinson. A. M. Burns, L. G. K. Steven, H. Chapman, W. H. Nicholson, R. H. Webb, B. E. Whitcombe, H. W. Heslop, C. J-- Wilson, V. E." Hamilton, H. S. E. Turner, F. E. Jones, C. J. Ronaldson, A. L. Macfarlane, E. H. Wyles, P. H. Harris, K. W. Robinson, and D. Colquhoun. Mr Agar said the question of the telephone service .and the privacy that would obtain with the automatic system had been discussed with the Telegraph Engineer by the committee appointed. It had been made clear that if a firm wanted a line for the transaction of private business, it would be obliged to have a separate line. This system was in practice in Wellington and Auckland and was proving satisfactory. The matter was receiving consideration, and the Department would confer with the various firms as to their desires and requirements. The treasurer reported that the balance in hand wag £331 las 2d. He said the Chamber was steadily losing ground. Economic. Bulletin. Economic Bulletin No. 35 was received and adopted. Mr Turner drew attention to its guarded optimism. The president was authorised to receive and rolease the bulletin for January, but it was decided to hold no meeting in that month. The combined Produce and Exporters' Committees reported as follows: —"The committee recommends that brief particulars of the proposed business delegation to Samoa and Niue should bo advertised, and those wishing to take the trip invited to forward their names to the Chamber for consideration. The committee considers thAt the following goods, which are imported into Samoa, should bo included in the advertisement: Confectionory, drapery, leather and leather manufactures, hardware, paper and stationery, biscuits, flour, jams, jellies and preserves, soap and timber. The committee further recommends that the Industrial Association should be conferred with, and a combined advertisement arranged, if possible; also that a copy of the communication from the Department for Industries and Commerce be forwarded to each of the fruit importers of the City. "Fortilisor and Seeds Importation Acts: The committeo understands that the interested sections of the business community are satisfied with the provisions of these two Bills. As the Bills havo now passed both Houses of Parliament, no further action is called for. "Direct Shipping Service to Tanranga, Whangarei, and Thames: Tour committee recommends that the Thames Chamber be asked to ascertain what quantity and class of "goods are likely , to be required from Canterbury, then this Chamber would endeavour to bring them into touch with the interested members of this Chamber. In the meantime Mr H. R. Bussell, grainbroker and member of the Chamber, should be advised of the proposed service to enable him to communicate with grain and produce merchants at the places named, if he so desires." Mr Turner, who, as chairman of the committee, read the report, said the trip to the Islands would cost £3O. The report was adopted. It' was decided to hold the next quarterly meeting in January, to allow Mr Norton Francis, vice-president, who is on a trip abroad, to be present. Mr Agar said an invitation could also be given to Mr G. M. Croft, Canadian Trade Commissioner, to be present. Ho could givo them interesting information about Canadian conditions. The president suggested that the meeting be held in the evening. The arrangement of the date and details was left in his hands.

An application from the Citizens' Association for a renewal of its lease was referred to the House Committee. Mr Agar said tho Association was entitled to tho renewal. Petrol Tax Bill. Sir E. Heaton Rhodes, writing with reference to the Petrol Tax Bill, advised that it being a taxing Bill, it was not possible to introduce any amendment.

Mr E. W. White wrote thanking the Chamber for its expression of thanks for his services.

Tho Department of Labour advised that a number of old pictures of factories, etc., was held in its office, and it was thought that perhaps they might be of historical or other interest to the Chamber.

It was decided to advise the Department that the Chamber would be pleased to house the pictures. Mr Julian B. Foster, Amorican Trade Commissioner, wrote offering information on American methods or industries and letters of introduction to his Department's offices throughout the country. The letter was received. The Auckland Chamber wrote forwarding a copy of its Journal, and directing attention to a recent resolution passed upon the subject of duties on grain. The letter was received.

It was decided to hold over until next meeting Mr Jones'b notice of motion that the monthly bulletins be discussed at the meeting following.