THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 442, 26 February 1909, Page 8

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MR. HARKNESS ON THE STATE OF TRADE

"A CLOUD WITH A DARKER HUE."

EARBOT3R AND RAILWAY MATTERS

; ; ;>;V.-I•;•/;-About;: fifty/'!geritlemen;Vsat*:down;,to : .the "J/i/;'/: lunchepn-wliich' .preobded'. J. l ]i ■': : ; of;. the,' ; Wellington'-.Chanibe'r; .Pf/,Commercei : "pi ;/wHcbj/was/lield; s tlie: Chambpr; yesterday.; /%;/Aln; addition business of; the :; /v ■ ; . annual ,meeting ; ? r the':pfoce'edings/c6mprised'a; president.(Mγ'.' $?-■'■■ J /3. G:-Harkness),;and/tlie passage of a series; :-S«;/;^ (oi -resolutions'on; -mattefs'pf public'ihteresti ;?■■;-'; the loyal toast, ; vfi;. 1 ;; alluded /to /the/.special',.commercial -value ;of• had been ; ;so/effeo-. ■/:; ; V : '/tively^prpmoj^'.b^: : iff; '•'•. x-i ■; r Aj)blogiea : :;i'or i- ib^erice/:.were/ received: frran; viS";/-MrVrtWuiGf;DuthieV' vice-president, and;other; :A;': : /;/: members, of ithe':Chamber^/ii&^V^^/ , '.^™ l "! l ''^/

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS.

Tie;^resjdent;/in;;a v spe^ r-:.ihe; 'mam:;,features .^of :ithe'-commercial /situa-. r ttie'.i'-.Bnnnal-.-TJ^-"•port,/which'has 'already been; dealt.:with.:in ; : ; these/ 'columris.' :>;/:Mr;;;Harkness -recalled.: his. .-..•prediction of-- that-there. : v /would ; be a/'shr-inkago;' in ; ,the;.ivalue .;of New.; ./: Zealaiia's. exppr^'.UnK^ /; : :cast; MA -not proved 'incorr6ct i; ;and' 1 the;posi T ;/tion'in been accentuated, by,' : 'similar, in 'the older ;cb.un;" ; It;lwM:ißev^able^ ;'■; 'shpuldl'sTOnerVor/lat'erii-reieivej, / a■ chebk in?.the long period of prosperous y_e'ars;l '■ : ;erij6y^y\vv l^hilst'i;our:'le^dingv:cpnimodities, /.Bent abroad : with.6ne.,or two-exceptions wero .;/. practically 'equal yriV volume", to, 1 iJhe'previbus; ■.;:'-jrear,' : "-thei. value" : "pnv'iome'"^^lines' receded' , to; level;. that ; a;(djfference/bf.nearlyexisted/..betwejen: the'; : estimate. : ; ;/mad6^and.^theiactual?-r^ :..: loss'rto'.the'Domiiuon' pfoducpd^ : ;: , ; a■■..-'.cpiiditioh,- of -'affairs iinithe-^oney.vma^k'eti'; v:that::has .be^junknownvfor;,niany':'yjearS;.in ; - ;'';]!?ewl!Ze.a!and;' ; : f\^ :;-::v;;; : Panacea/:; £&. // : ;/ •rThe/'iTiariacea:' A f(^th^s;:'financial, crisisj'-'r-as 'it; is?terme^ ;^yV'S^ej!ra :-iontinue'd^ ::;Barkriess l iMs>tho; printing/press "ajid;'a' bale; .;, tive A' Np'pa'per .'currency, made a legal ; tender ' •in-.a. foreign :.c6uritry,:s6/long,as■standard : :Pf;:valu,e3tlwoUgH6ut';the' : w;6rld;/ i:Tp .this-■r!principle.!- , we. , '-.inust': adhere;" anaVany.methbdsv r 'bf:/ v trade; and commerce ./must'prqveifutile./pr wish'; to/ say/that r _l:am ! -■hot';making■ any.'■ aUu6i6n :, here'::tP oertain'rei;' ■ i marks #by •; a ■' Minister/:; MySattentiori . : <was' '-;■: drawn: tq''.th_Sisubj^t';by>pfesflmg'a'\report- ; of. : ,/a lecture;'. by , a /iCpuricil;; arid j)'prepa¥edsjtliis;::portion -,'of "'nijj-' './.address ''beforeV.:,th''e';/-Minister;r : had;«spoke'riK :/'ns^.reniedies v tor' ; the"preserit;'positipn,'' ; its %i-\ ?;. vpcates-.fall.;into,v'an error;/because theyVdo; ■•) not, disennunafe'-'betwe^ri'; .thp; iridividual; prospefous'/'.arid.; .tho^ej , ;;:':.which;:T-e'rid;to'ma:ke a;nation ;•/instancej,-3f : 'a;'{tnan; , :dpublc's'-his .present/stock, /ofit;do&%ot;fPilow; that if everyV /irihabitantof'tho'.Dqminion/do'ubled his irioriey; . : at,,drice/'tliatjthe riation«as-a , .swhole. #duld' : ; .be.: better off;:' ■■J : TOa^rs'.-' : th"eVu : 'ition/forvbarterj'andi'tS buy ; ';useful;igoqds re^.; : ■A guired , 'by, the'. individuaL-: ft-, Now,>- if, it. was /vpossiblesto 'increase:;at.onpe/the ■ volume':of, i/the precious;;metal!-t.en/timea-.throughput the vworld fibrade; and 'commercb'Vand/pMalyse all.:uidus-; />trial: -->-be>to : ;raise .ihei'-brice of' all: commodities" cor-' :.■ : resp6ridirigly ; >andjithe consequence^^would I .be; , jwpuld beno'better/off ;; ; he ■feould i ;;p"e';'with,v'the ,pastj viagain'■ : and'- , agiin:?-; : No VsTicH'.cuiTency'-Te-;: '-:-:'-fOTr^ : .<'.. ;;,-.wp6l ;perrpbun'd,ia' f halfp'enriy.: ; per:,lb'.'tp : -i'pur' ; ducel /or'; the/price - it;,;:wasj :a-Uogitimate!, ; /permanent/rec6vefyUs increase 'valrie'of:-6url ; lea'ding .comrnodities/'injtKe, .■'markets'- of '.jthe.-. world;; the : ! exerbiEe : :and:en-* • ■/ : cburagerrterit-'jM;thrift>;ain6rigst ;.all-classes'of, :'/ the'eommuniiiy;,'which' has sadly negleo. ;;: ; in:-the :. :^ hear)—and : /pnces/ : /:^^normal with ;,af, steady; ■j .value; of/ the either;in-; % dividual,-; municipal',"- or, natioriali/.;(A'pplausp.): :-Jf >Jhis;iks^niis,;;taken : :tp -.heart■„■ the ; .experi-? -• erice .the-present: ■: of/lasting*benefit tP.one ; aiid,:all."' : V, / : ": ?■'•' '■ - c-Vysy '■ -© *W#'iW ; Zi& v ; ' : - ; i/! J : : ;;V.v/ K v'^S;;:;;;. //'Mr^/Hartey^s?;saidrjie''.- , >■ been 'ojeryalliedK; Dth: ;:,;minrori; ! ;tkp'^ J: 9.6l;;pf ;'a f ; penny^;'v' ; lt,';iiever;-'realise^ : , tJija.; r :,rHenc^::tie';;moriotary, : .'shrinkage,.Vwa ijjreater; /j-jri ;tiiß;ilast:;;%e.rity : /yearsj!:;New;^Z6alarid ! S/ :'■■; imports; exceeded;.^^the/'expPrts'in .-valued;-This , : .-p6rts":fpr. r tie.^yea;r :; ended'':/ J Sej)te y ;-;l9(Ki;Vwere.:-;£i8i02r,'426 ) -' ■ exceeding: ;the;/pre-;' ■"'.'-Tio^':'y^r':ty-!£i : the :than;£1i637,253. t'ln/iiri-j the' ■;,v real.; ;and /-riot '.ji? '.fictjibidus, /value. >fnrther,i ;/ had;-.bver-imporfed/goods' ; .toi;-thevf value -r'of. ; V£l^6oo,(Wb^ : ;'; Prbba.bly '!■ss';„^would^\lie 'tKeV, truthl'if .-:•; the/ambinit'Jiwasi/put".- 'at;:£6,pOO,()oo...;Npw s;must,'be-made; up/by/this/yearls/bperatibrisi c. that,-thp Do-, , ■:-;:miniori: hQd/;had' : sb.: far ■ iri;/exceß'tionaUy: good .-• season^;•'.Grass'had:;been;abunSant, and .the //:outlopksiforibui;#staple/prbductr;'was fairly;V good,.otherwise the^^.posita'pn^.would; wwse, ;;:;lth^ri-.it;:rea'Uy J ,-■, metft .Ibetweeey.iinports; and)e'xpPrts.TFpr.jihe. /'-.quarter:'ehdihg.'Deoember : 3l,■ 1908, the. ira.rl ,■•■. '' ports/totalled ■: £4,035,167:.- and ; /the:. : exports ; :,£3,l43;7lo,:;.being.f£S9iy4-57 m-. favour'rf; the :-;/ former. .: 'totals , :.werevexclusive/ of ;/;specie;:/"- S ;;A ; ; -;;;V/:;; ! ;,■';';''■:■',/ \j' :: : .'."j -,jK' : :)a : \ :^' / !fS^-'i:r^';7^? !^lrWoHirigt(^'\^; -/"«:;yft -; % .-■;- wpol'.-.ralues 'affected. this /, me'rok^ //i-BEpwedi'coMiderabitfvgrowtk'Vand'-'exp'anHoii , /...for,-the :Wclingtbn/'sfrom- : 'its- geo-;: ■:.:;: graphical ■•:. position fiyas' :.y;6ry;' su'sceptdble •. .to" ■':dustr^/fi ;^as;;^t.fa. ;'he. . v,'develo"pm.oiit; could rppntinu'e so"rapidly ; as./it' . Vvhad ydoite; ; ;bf, -•■li|e_.iy'ears:Vvlt;w.a.Sj'"ti|ieJ!efore';i ~ .gratifymgjtb '■/ Sallied '; /still / held.::tli<); premier position , . ■'■^■■■:; •■ '-C- i-:■ ''■ ': /;■ ;,/;ft/:V;.;i. : '/Future;;PrdspeiJts./■'.|.v ;: '-.^.-■■'■ : -> : -} : 'i, ■'^it^was'.npt' ■.; ■' people,: nof.'/eyidence■: of; iiidfyidjial/cburdge; : if ■'Vwb/aveided'facirig the' difliciilliies''which .'were : brought:.bDme?to/us;day-:hy: failed: /■to; grapple;:, with- these, problems.'until/thero ; Vis brbiight in '■■■ 'J continued/ ther'president,, "wp/haye been -told;: ; -. that/ith'o ~fiiaricial stringency /was; ; a:'.passing ; -- ; ;bloudi;that..would''.drift.Laway into unknpwn'. . .regioiis un3cr>'the.genial sunshine".of:Dccem- v ;,/ •.ber/! ; l?08:' .' i ;.Othcre>'Haye: agaii ! asserted' that • '•■ 'in j;uiio,'.-1909, ; the'prospect' would I be' bright; 5 -/YetHlie ;|: clbud--remaihs ) -, with;,thi§-difference '.'■\ only; io the«lirang-has:;-aYorker /hue.;;/ iNo "I- wordsV r hoX platitudes; -no : 'bptiiriisni,/libweyer ' infectious; - ' will / accomplish , ' . any":.'marked, /":chango.i:-/Whit: ; :is/deeded!, is; : hard; honest; '' toil, arid the •ciir- " "'tailften'tbf.'fixtrayoianoe.'v.TbjeHTevival'.ih^he' ;; price'-of--wooli'Jthe- steidy m'arket ■'.for-'frozen- --. :,mcati :, the. phfenPrnerial- yalues .this', year 'of, -. dairj , prbduce,'t<>gether with the.prpspect'bf - .'■ an-iburidarit^harvest,' as'slsfcd'.'by bne.orthp. ; ■'fiiiesi'spr'irigs |: arid f summers,,frpm an;agricul; ■■'■ '■ tural st-andppint, have saved .'the Dominion' A -'from-a: disaster, wtirfi is KarioUS'to.'Cotttain-:

plate, and would j.h'ave been ruinous to ex-:peiMnce':-"''A"'glance'at' some of our leading industries will?'convince , itho.most: sceptical that there'is r ilb'-grouhd f6i' an immediate recovery i The sawmill-, ing: industry has collapsed,' in some instances through the in ' getting / additional capital, primarily because of lessened demand for tlie' output/ 'tlio result being that the' workers-have■ Lad•'< io seelc : employment in lOthor. spheres orjdin the ranks of-the un.emplo'yed. ~v',.Tli.e manufacturing-: iron , and ifpundry^trade.is now being.worked.on capital • instead'''of 'out of profits.' The'export, of •kauri gum-Has fallen, in two years'so per cent'. . The hemp industry, .which-gave:em-ployment to mi»ny;hands, has'.decreased in tho: last twelve months .to about two-thirds '.as'.the' result of. low prices,-' and at the present'time', is considerably less. -For the month, of ./January, -1909, ; only: 83,600 '■ bales were graded,!-as against 139,000 for the co'r;respondi_ng; period, of the... -.previous'■■- year. Manila; is abundant, in Bupply, and the prospect :is ! 'go_od-for this:ycar. "in: consequence. ■ the "price'. is lower than New Zealand, with the ■ result that 'the latter has, fallen' in price ■ ■from £35 to £38 to "about £24 pcr:'.ton; . r r • ' .i 5£ ; 'Reasons''for :Hope/'; ),'/."■ '■ '■;■: ; ; ;In-,;regard-\vto lines, wool, frozen produce, the outlook is- decidedlyj encouraging/;, t lf 'prices, 'are' maintained ..next--'season;,and climate- condi.tions: are, favourable, we "may reasonably expect at ...the end, or 1909- to; find money •cheapipi'Jau.d trade resuming , .its' : normal. ■ : ditiou.-.-;i , hat-is,-:p.rdvided no .unforeseen con:t'mgencibs arise, '.which imav' interfere' with: the presenti .relations: existing between-, tho older;, countries 'of the world;. ;Suppose this year's;exports realise - £18,500,000, of- Jlrat amount; nearly • is. required to;-'re-sto're.:tHe equilibrium of trade: '.That obli■gation, miist:'bo-:imety,.':therefore. it: is; adyisIqols,,. for,an ; ■ immediate improvement jiri-'th'^.Dominion'.s:prdspocts. .Weih'aye , :first our: liabilities,/and. ■;thiis''assist ote: restored iri-'o'ur.: capabilities that:confiderioe'without...which..nc country,- such ',as ours',can; prosper.:'and nvhich .apparently. •for-the : ',time' being has ..been ■ withdrawn' ; by thW outside'iworld.-. : The, country; has received a -temporary.'check,'but .against this' it is ■rich; ; in- fertility;--rich in rich iri/min--,erals,.rich in tjio'se potentialities,;which , tend' •toi'tneyprosperity.:oi:.-a;oountry;-and :it only, ■requifes.-'.ste'adyj :. no;t'; forced, .development, and'it', win. respond; with., no. niggard, hand,' 'if its people will but ;be true .te the, lest, tra-'ditions.-ot.Mtsj.pa-st.ihistory. (Hear,- hear.) iFor'iear. that the foregoing remarks niay be 'misconstrued', ./and •■;; unduly: -emphasised , : by h'Eoioi,'-.'--'. sufficed 'it : . to . say /that ■the / of trade: .and ; : ; pom-.: meroe : which ;was'■■characteristic of the Dominion for .some ( years -past, may at • the; .presentibe^lacking,'but.;it will,pass.laway, is "soundV'. '.Its populatioU. ;,is. now"Estimated.-.to.'fexceed a million, ; its fare steadily increasing in' .riumberii .-The,,waste ..lands are being,,setitle'd;'' agricultural ah'd""pastoral: .pursuits'-. are.. ;riow;proiecuted';with/vigour arid intelligence, ; arid?there /are I'lirimistakable evidences; ,i on'. eVe'ry^ r Harid fof: solid Vand .progressive;, pros-, ■pefity.;/,These :.indispu.table, facts, attest/ that the :co6ntry')s.'in; a;fa'r stronger position to-. ;day/-to f.endure-■ any temporary ■: set-back; as", a. 'resiilfof j 'those 'influences? which ior the last,. :tffO?y^Ts^haVe f be'en-;felt.'so keenly, in otli,dr. part)°of;2the ,: '.it probably. waß,:'*/ (tew Jears'-'Sgb.';•',A'.strbhg:hopefolness, in the' .futurS^ , 'that'tfa'de\Wiirv'.resurne ■ its':normal. ; conditipri ,: date,l that.prosperity '•will''be)'in , :Me;:&'sce7iidaiit l -',aßd ith'at the' op'po'rtunities'iforfemployment r will:-bd. abundant. ,foV those/.who. seek/work, 'fs not, inconsistent •:with ;; 'a' courageous' determination j; Jo admit. bxisting... facts •' and remove if possible/ ;tho ;causes. : .:■ (Hear,;.hear.).:: -::.:■-> .'.-.;, ; ;./;/ ] ' ,;':•,: : . ;'i; ;: K/ ; - ' : ;'r".Z' Railway',' patters. /;:,.;■;.:-/,;; '''■Mrv'/Harknoss next..referred..with satisfac--tibn to-the purchase of the Mariawatu rail-, way. by the: State;; and ■' predicted that ■ .it' would' be necessary to/dupHcate ;the lino/asfar ■'as'■ 'Palmersteri - North . within';' the,; noxt five ■'years'/,/(Hear; hear;):'He-also advocated a more-vigorous prp'secution of. ,the ,; - South Island Main-Trunk railway works. 1 ■ This, line ;.whetf ■finished'/would incalculable ;'beiie-, fit'to' : this city/ corameroially, .bringing the ■pbrt'-arid*'clistnct ; 'inte:?fclo"ser.(teuch/with '.the 'nbrtHerii' portions- of the /'South ; Island,' 'which : would/:-tehd to i'prpmote trade, not to mention-the : advantages■ which ;would accrue: to the travelling, public in lesseriirig 'the time:'it .now:'tobk' : to -visit Chfist-'• iblu : 'a/further'extension-,: was /authorised by. Earr iliament'this■ yearv,the■ wprk;of cptistruction. from-thevM.'Kenzie/ township //northwards: wouldsbe..'brought- to; a/ standstill/. The Hutt, duplication-.*as. not- yet complete,', though,it, ihad'niadeiiconsiderable/iprogress; during:.the. :past'twelve/months.' Apparently it. was the' intention of.' the Department, to 'reclaim, a creater, portion: ofthe foreshore''-ini the Kai.warra Bight .than,.; was,? 6riguially-,>intended; This devotion /.would-delay, tliei final, .completion pf'the : '.worl£,/but : : would add a : fur■ther ■ area .to,' the' land, reclaimed,: and .would pr6bably- : .affor.d,:an'."opportuniiy of laying tho double :railV: : :in/ahnost,:a/direct line, to the. ;La'mbton.'Stati6n.;,v; : /";; ;i;-^/ I '//.'/ //;//■/ - .K:/; :; ;S!' '^"Wo|linitbrristatlbn. ■;' ■tl'Boi'iia no apparent attempt had/yet ;made /to erect a' ; new passenger .platform at ,what is now known as the/Lambton Station. ''fi'he' : elfprts. , ;pf 'th'e/couricil'tp/get .this'; work , undertaken,'' to/' meet 'increasing vtraffip; 1 ,; had ■met'^ r with v: sbme , 'adverse" criticism, .'from,.tlie 'press''of ! the'"city. 'j.That fact../however,;.did. intimidate , :the.council../,'ihey had/never, asked 'for ;! br/urg'ed- that - lavish'., expenditure "mXthis'/'direction' was ■■ esseritial..; it. was ' suggested; , "'irid rightly, so,/that' passengers Either, ehtraining' or'- alighting; : .. had-- a. right r to' expect ' ordinary convenience for;.: which; i,they ipaid/l.'Further,:' 'passengers '. from subI'urbatt areas such as' Kh'aridallah," Johnsonville; ■ Tawa . Flat /and: iPlimmerfon. .; antici■pated;,when;all the lines:converging pn-Wel-ington became .'the property.- of, theVStatp, ,that;{:they. : would .'riot.be' handicapped by.: a iten /mijiutes , : 'extra , ' walk,-., 'as compared '.with. 'travellers':frbni:Jthe'Hutt; arid;-'Petone, ; ,but: ''wduld-rioe'vallowed.-j'toialight'.at a common 'ceritre;: ..What iivas.asked for;-was: ordinary convenience, .'. : rio t; ■' arphitecture.. .:; (Hear, heafO'" ; .'.'Tlie intention .of the present ■•Minister/, fp'r/Ba'ilways to;' depart from the.3, '.per• '•.cerit..:': ; ,pplicy,- and^' if- possible,'/make ,the. .railways' self-supporting,' woulj he ■_ ~r& cognised ■; as" a: % step /in direction.' Tb.O:^linist.er : ,?niigKt rest 'assured ■ that the Chamber.;; wp'uM,; ;, as:.far', as assist, him- in;'carrying; out 'his policy on ■ the' lines indicated;';:' (Applause.). :• ; :-,::' ..;■' , ';,.■■■ ',-,';'• ~-J- : -'', ■■'.'•■';" %' : "■ Leglsiatlbhi/ ■'. /-/.'■'■ j;. ;; '-;':■/ ; . '■ .Referring to the/last session; of /Parliament, the.president, said: :"The principal .measure'.passed,; affecting the commercial and:--industrial interests, in -fact 'every class of the: community,, was an amendment of, the Conciliation-'iind -.Arbitration Act. .. - It be-r icaine •'apparent, to i'all? interested; in'tho. reflations, that should -exist - between employers and employees*''that/amendments were iurgently required. the minds of the former there existed; a feeling, of disquietude,-unrest .and : dissatisfaction.." It .was evident -that : the:provisions. of •; the.statute could ;bo,. and were, enforced, against. them for. breaches, on the other hand,-it was not clear that it could be or .-.would: .be made, compulsory: on-the; employee. In regard to :the (imp!o'yeesT ;: so"lorig '■ as ..the .Court granted ! their' - demands;; : it-; was 'well. .■■; When, . how;eyerji:':the '■06urt'-"de'cided, in its judgment; that-: ! an'."industry, could'-not'.bear,..further :burdens;by/.way;oPincreased .wapes, Jshorter u :honr'ei' i .-' , n4d'.' , other}"labour restrictions,' the ■Wor.kei^e'nt'-into' pp'en'revolt and .'defied tho •Court arid :: the' ,: law'. : ' "country, no people, could-'submit'io" such' degradation as having 6rie'''of ; "its^High'/Courts..of'Justice, arid/its law '•openly'':and■ '.flagrantly- ; sot at defiance •by•'. , ariy /class of-. the community, /however 'numerous it might.be. /.The position had to ■be; faced./ Either; must .be repealed of the Act amended. 1 ■ .'The principal amendments/ are the...establishment,of■ conciliation coiinciis,-.,t0 ..which all industrial, disputes | must first ibo/'roferred,; a clearer, definition-i ■of,, strikes'.'"and lock-otits,:,- than/.previously i 'dofirie'd'yin tlio,■.original;.measure,, and the. . erifdrceinent..of.',iawards' to all,parties cp'ri- [ cernedl';ln v this;connecti6riltnq.,Act siriay .-be ,- taken'>,excoption t0,..-'fpr^brchoios-of,.award : may' ; be; determined. ;iu,, '■-■ the O Magistrate's } Court;;.;.Sur,ely''the..Arbitratipn'Co.urt/ which. i; makes 'vJthV -iiwaTtls,' ; and .: is. with : labou'r,Ccph'ditipris tli'r'pughput;tho, ; Doniinio'n, I pughii'.i'to/ bp.Ttheiproper'.tribu'iial givo. j ;iupgmeji.Jig,.iibnfc. would ,bb,uniform in charac- .''■ 'ter/Acpnsistent.'if-with ' tlio.:.' degree of_ the i ;br'each-.;'a'rid give .more, general satisfaction.:

Banliruptoy Law. . . ; ' | "The present law as to bankruptcy was very unsatisfactory. ■ A. committee:, of _ the council had carefully considered tho subject, and their proposed amendments:.had been emhodied in a report which would be submitted to the Government before tho next session of Parliament: Other chambers of commerce had also . proposed important amendments to the oxisting law, and it is confidently expected/ by taking combined action", that a workable and effective measure would be the result. ~■ . ' . ; constitution of Harbour Boards. "It has been proposed " to effect dristio alterations- in the constitution of .Harbour Boards. .It is contemplated-by; the Government and advocated by many ; that -the boards should bo almost entirely elective, that is, :, that the basis . of : representation shouldbe on what is'called a 'popular franchise,' the Government still reserving the right of nominating a. certain number. If if bo admitted that'; the /Government, should retain this control, logically.it jollovrs that persons who 'contribute seven-eighths of the income of a board -by... way- of.. dues, charges, and wharfages, have a much strongor claim to the same privilege.;■■ Again,.where a board has the power 'of levying rates on property: it. is consistent that the. ratepayer 'should' be consulted. Where ■ on the .other hand a board practically derives _tlie whole of its. reyenue:irom the pockets of .one class of the community, logically. they are entitled, to the same privilege as the/ratepayer, ahis is the position of the-Wellington/Harbour Board, and-.therefore-it is theduty of JJnsChamber, and those interested in -the;welrare' 'of' the port, .to' .insist, on maintaining the right'now enjoyed. -Jtfcannot bo urged, ohat any representative, or representative liominatee as at-present, would be less unfitted-to discharge the responsibilities of-the'.position devolving .upon him / or ■ them, than .those gentlemen nominated by the Government.of ■the day.'. , ,/■ . . ■ ' '• ; ..';,. ... -' : [\' ....-■. - - ■: Harbour '.Board , Finance;'■:■ i ■ The president went on to defend'the action of' theSa'rbour' Board in obtaining; power_to borrow '£I}ooo,oo0 ;'■■ The power obtained.under , the Acf.would;' .no doubt, be exercised cautiously, and probably \ in;,.snms .of' say,. £250,000,-as, needed from time to.time, just as the requirements of the port and the expansion -<tf trade demanded- ■ Each, of theseamounts; so raised .would, rank 'as a second mortgage, and it must be apparent that ; .such ■a. loan- could be put on tho. market more: advantageously on the best ' terms at .the lowest rate of interest, ■ than if i re'querit appli-. cations had been made.to Parliament as some, of the board's 1 critics affirmed , should nave, ■been done.' ,'A , progressive, policy. tempered, with,'due prudence should animate, the board, to-make provision for the needs.of the city and' district, if Wellington, was; to. remain ,'the premier port of the Dominion. . (Hear, hear.) The president .also expressed■■-• gratification 'at. the inauguration /of the direct Barotonga l and, Sail Francisco mail service, and forecasted a considerable, development of. ■trade- between ■Wellington and. tho..'Pacific ■■Islands.- \ : -- : .;':}■!'■„■' -■:•':■■:.''('■ '..;.■■ - .' -.v' 1 Xoriforentia of Chambers of Commerce. ifii No' conference of the New Zealand'-,Cham-'bershad .been held since 1902; was. pro-•-posed to convene such t meeting to be: held iri/Wellington -on Aprils 13.-next. It- was , hoped that "a form -of. -federatipif -would, be ;agreed 'upon, somewhat on tho'. lines', now in .force' throughout the' Commonwealth: - At the proposea -meeting in Sydney,:during September, 1&09,', at which' 15 delegatesfrom;,the; .associated chambers bf.the .United ;Kingdpnt:: wouldt. meet ■representatives irom the. van-: pus chambers throughout the-.Coirimonwealth and -the Dominion,'important- ( questions',;af'fecting commercial interests. would be .con- : sidered,"-such as extension.of trade, reciprocity between-Great-Britain and her dependencies,- c6-bperation : in keeping. British emigrants' under the flag, and;-that 'the Postal 'Departments ..throughout' the- Empire should' confer:'with, the object, of :. devising. ,some. ■scheme-for.cheaper cablegrams. -.Ought tlley, ri'ofc vfo have a. cheaper service," hot' only in the interests of ,those engaged in trade and c,onun"erce,,.-but' on .behalf: of-.the people so- : r bially? 'This' was a"problem that had;to be : Solved''in■■' the : near;: future..;': It..:was :hoped T that' ;the'■ British ■:-^fesentatiybS,;-'triDul i d j :.vis\i i t: New'Zealahd^ , "/''.''/':!'• v^.; , ; .;;M ",,lj"' a ■ -Ini'concTus'ion,-' the president' expressed his . indebtedness 'to: the ; secretary"'(MW.'S..-, Car-,' roll)T"aiid..:■ the .vice-president. ; : (Mr.:, W.' : _ G,.;: 'Dutlne)Vfor,,their valuable assistance.during: thep'ast year,, and. acknowledged the kindly 'consideration .shown him by the- member's 'generally..,.: 'tV -.-..;. ■ "/ ..' v.:- Vv-'-.v- ■■" ■■■■■.-••' ■- Mr;- J. M'Lellan' seconded the motion, and :in.;doing, so he paid-a high, tribute to:the close analysis of the events"■ of the past' year; made' by the president. If was' one. of ...tlio- : ablest speeches '• he: had \evef; listened to in: ths Chamber.. (Applause.) :\;',';:.' ~... ':■■ The motion was carried.. i ~.; ; i>. . ■• / J:v : X'\.^:o.^i'.Tlie,-.New''Counollii,-;''v..:,-.j-.; ; '-;'' /, The. following were ..electedNas the- council: 'for th'e : ensuing'year:—Messrs. .W.Allan, A.' 'S.' Bias. ' W/'J. Bridson, W J . ,G:' Dutliie, J. M'Lellan, D. J. 'Nathan, A. K. Pearce, E. Gi Pilcher, G.: Shirtoliffe, . : -:v •■: :Messrs r . C.P. Ppwles and P. W.;Haybittle: were',, re-elected auditors. , - -;: ■ : .' ■'■ \' f. . Xi ■;,• Constitution of Harbour Boards. "v-; Mr...John. Duthie' moved:—- .. ':',; . i ■'■ -. .".-;.' ■■" That p this Chamber heartily.endorses , ,i, the■ .views expressed, in'the report'of 'the . .;.' ; council, as'to the necessity.for such.pro- . ■ir; vision being made';as.would ensure the ; ':-. Selection to Harbour Boards of .an effee-. .:; tive proportion of experi-. 1 : ■■■ ence and ability in: commerce,, shipping; ■ and finance, and-urges tlie-. council to' ■: : : brine.this:question before the:conference '■ . ' which?is being called to meet shortly: in ... Wellington, and to adopt all .possible . .; measures 'for the attainment, of ■:■' -..:'■ jeot.".--;■'■.-..•';■" ,-•-.• r >..- v ;.■:;;• ■'■~--■■:.-;: ■::;,' • la moving as above, Mr. Duthie said, that, :while:he did : not question the character of the men appointed, he to see commercial men on the'boardsi.': They, repre-' : sented the interests.that contributed.tho:revenue,: and they knew how,to it;: I It j was a ..question of life and death to ,them ■that commerce.-, should .have: full .representa-. tion. '.'-' (Hear, : hear.), :■ 'Tho matter: was' of the; greatest- importance to the future, pros-l-perity: of; the port. -: '■■■:'■ '' ,! " '"-. ~,-. Mr.. A. A. Corrigan seconded the,motion. ■:'.• . . Mr. J.. M'Lellan heartily endorsed the proposal, which applied. to all the, ports of the .Dominion. In Napier, the' country.■ party injured.'.the business of the port: by outweighing town voters at tlie recent poll. A good deal of the diffioultymight be avoided if the shipping people paid all, the charges, making it a free port.' .He referred to the inequality of port charges, wherein sonie outside ports gained a benefit,' and the other people were being helped. Exports here did not. pay the' harbour improvement rate, and tho .man in. the ..backblocks had his land appreciated as his products went-Home : a.t, identically the same rate as the people of ,tho- Hutt Valley..: :; •■ . ! ■■ -.-.: "■' -.- -..-■.■ ~--.-.■ ;'l. The resolution was carried with'one dissentient voicedthat of Mr. E,. , Fletcher. ', ~ '• •■ • "■■• "--.■•■■ ■ ■■ '-'■■'■' ,''\-1 ■■.'..-'■■'' '."■ " Wellington Railway: Stations, j Mr. G. Shirtcliffe moyed I—''.. .;, --,-"That this' Chamber■•■ regards,-it as a ■matter for.regret.thatan adequate and up-to-date railway station was.nqt put in ■hand by the Government in anticipation ■■.; of the completion of the Slain Trunk line -. and -the. acquisition- of the AVellington-- - Maaiawata Railway, '■ liiid'.tliiit the Gov- : .ernmentbe urged ..to lose no time,in tlie ■ ..■ erection of.a.station capable of.coping ;-. satisfactorily, not: onlywith .-'•the' present ' traffic,^ but with tlie much, ; enlarged vol-' umo of business which is bound, to ensuo ". as settlement i and: production progress throughout tho North Island." .. ■,•'■■: The mover said there was'no. doubt that this was the most urgent .'work, called for-in Wellington at tho present time. ' The railway business here was about double of that at Diinedin, where there was a palatial, station,'which, however, ho did not begrudge the southern , , city/ Ho .had heard it stated tliat as:much money, was spent in ornament: ing that station as would have built , another large one. Elaborate embellishment- was not. desired , for tho ■"Wellington: station, but sufficient . accommodation , .to copo.'" with tlio ' largo' "anrl: growinfi traffic..' . Mr. Shirtcliffo also alluded 'to'the inconvenipiice caused'by. having two 'etatioliß hero, instead of one, oni eirirossed, dieapßOin.tpe' l * . that.

nothing had "yet been done by the Government in the'direction indicated; -: : ■ ■ Mr. W. B. Lees'seconded tlio motion,; and, speaking as a frequent, ■suburban .traveller, emphasised tho inadequacy and . inconvonience of the present arrangements. ' . - The resolution's ,'carri<?d;tmanimously. . POST OFFICE ACCOMMODATION. . Mr. J. M'Lellan moved:—: . ;. , "That this Chamber is of opinion that the question of tie'enlargement and improvement of the 'accommodation• for. .:■ ; and transaction of the work of the Post and Telegraph Office Las not received from the Government -the attention which its importance and ; urgency demands, as . the work is' practically no furthered-. vanced now than it was a year ago. .■'■ The'speaker referred' to .the scattering, of •the various branches over- the city and the consequent disadvantages to tho. commercial community. : They did.'not', want, a palatial structure, but plenty of accommodation, not :only.for the present, but for the future, as the business was increasing beyond what, jvas generally; imagined. There was a constant complaint as to the delay of mails,.and the conditions "of working were not upi to- those of an up-to-date commercial standpoint. Moreover, in some respects the accommodation ■ did not comply ..with the Labour; department's' requirements regarding private employers. .The men had to do important and arduous -work in- a, concentrated time, : '.and it was absolutely necessary that they Should -have good accommodation. He; hoped that an .early start would be'made with the building.- He believed the -immediate.' expenditure of £8000 for the'foundations was authorised to.aid in overcoming the. unemployed difficulties, and this was a method lie did not approve of, as it was not calculated to lessen-the.total.costfof the structure.. v Mr.' J. F. Mills seconded the motion, which Vas carried without further remark. ; SOUTH ISLAND TRUNK LINE. Mr. H. C-Tewsley moved:— "That this Chamber is of opinion that.' ■ -in the-iriterests- of the Dominion the , . Chamber should give all possible support •'. to the demand for thb completion or the- ■ South, Island, Main; Trunk line." ■, ; ■■. T The .mover expressed regret atthe smallness of th.6 attendance, especially alluding to the. fact that a number of members had left dur-. ; ing the proceedings. 'It was most-desirable that.a chamber which was doing such.good ■ work for the commercial.-. community ■■ should bo more strongly Coming to - the subject of the motipUj Mr. .Tewsley insisted that it was of vital importance,' now that the North- Island Main Trunk Railway:. was. completed, that the line connecting : it .with 'the South Island, system .should be pushed:oh. He thought, they should be able : to countupon the assistance:in tliis matter, of .the\Hon.;J. A. Millar, who ,was, the .strong-' est' man in the Ministry, .and one .of the; ablest who had ever.held, the portfolio of. Railways. In view of the absence :of engineerinS '•'difficulties'• and .the benefits to be. secured in the way of rapid transit between Auckland and Invercargill, it ( was' to .. bo hoped that the construction, of a further section of the lirie would be speedily authorised, Strong representations should be rnade.to'the ■Gbvernment "in that '.behalf.- Hβ suggested that'.'- the. Auckland-Wellington Railway .League should be resuscitated,,. and should , seek the co-operation of subsidiary leagues; on-the other. side .of. the - Strait. f.Perhaps ;Mr. David Nathan, who had done.such excel-. lont.:work in: Regar- to .the North ,;Island. Trunk.'. line,. would', take the ■ matter ■ up,- '■■. : or v ■some, other.' leading , citizen might., feel: in-; clined to.do'so. He thought tlie Ministerfor. Railways was being'subjected to some unjustcriticism in r.egard to his action., in pruniiig' --unprofitable.'railway services in ,some localities, and he pleaded ior the same degree qf : .. confidence in the Minister that; they, _ as, business men,, would repose in a manager whom ithey,hacLappointed. ..-.(Applause.)* ■..'..';-;';/ ; '' "Mr. E. G. Pilcher, in seconding-,-the mo- ; tion, alludfid to the success, so_ far,, of the North Island Main Trunk. Railway.'as an! 'encouragement to'push, ahead witln.the rna-t-, ter under.discussion^-.The Minister.ior Railways was contemplating .the acceleration of, traffic .between, North' and South,, but,-,,'thei moans.'- that, would.', prove : finally. ' effective would be the carrying of the railway lines to 'jthe '■. nearest,ports-.on each side,of the 'Strait; ■ i-'-THANKjBi , .-■"-.■ ..''•.■'■''■'■■-';"^•'■■;''".■■:■ ■' A-v.ote'.ofithanks to.the president, and.the council was carried on tho.motion, of-Mr. W. A.' Palmer, seconded by 'Mr. , J. H. Oiven; .: _ '; ':[■■ ::' .. .; Mr. .Harkness, in reply, urged-the -members to heartily .support the new council. He would like to. see the Chamber possess-a. far larger membership and exert a greater influence on social and commercial. matters' than ' it : did ~ present. : This could only lie effected by the'members giving ari unstinted support to the efforts of the .council. .'■•' ■■ :.'■ i .