CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 483, 16 April 1909, Page 9

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

* . CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES. • ' . ' THIRD DAY'S SITTING. Tho conference of delegates ,o( Chambers of {Jommorco \Vas resumed yesterday moniJJig. Mr. Jl. J. Marriner (Chrictchnrcli) moved: -VThat .'this conferenco urge upon tho Government the desirability of introducing logislation with reference to fires on ocean-goiny, vessels on similar linos to those outlined in tho enclosed preamble." Tho recommeiula- ' tions reierred to in Mr. Marriner's motion included tho following-.—That inspectors he appointed to inspect wool, sheepskins, flax, ■ and tow, before or aftor shipment; tbat all tow'shipped bo .suitably covered; that the inspector have power,to prohibit shipment of such cargo that ho considers unfit for Bbipment; that tho cost of inspection bo borno by tho owners of cargo. Mr. G. Shirtclille (Wellington) said that this qneation was considered by a committee ot tho Wellington Chamber, which had agreed to the following resolution: "This committee is of,opinion that the onus and expenso of inspecting cargo prior to shipment should be thrown upon harbour boards and shipping companies, who should bo empowored (by legislation, if necessary) to ap- \, point inspectors with full legal powers to ' act:" Ho concurred with that resolution, which had been adopted by the counc'l of the chamber. Mr.' Kettle (Napier) thought that !,bp jn- " Burance companiei and shipping companies Bhould t adopt somo system undqr which evdry bale should bo properly examined. , ' ' "-Mr. J. G. Harknoss (Wellington) did not Bee why harbour -boards should bo put to ' this expense. 1 Mr. A. lioberton (Auckland) thought that if inspection was to be made, it should be clono by Government officers. t * The motion was negatived. ■'' RAILWAYS. Tho question of railway construction- wbg brought up by Mr. M. M. M'Callum (Auckland), who said it had been agreed to consider all tho lesolutions on tho order paper at one time. He moved: "That this conference urge on tho Government tho mare v epeody completion of those sections of liailway that will return a more immediate profit." Hβ advocated the pushing on of the Gisborne-Opotiki line, and the construction' of another section of tho North of Auckland line, beyond the present terminus. Mr. Marriuer (Ohristchurch) seconded the notion. Tho / promise had been given by Sir Joseph Ward and other Ministers that, immediately after the completion of tho North Island Main Trunk line, tho South . Island Main Trunk lino would bo pushed on, That lino would go through a magnicenf tract of country. > Mr. D. A. Baxter (Napier) pointed out tho advantages of tho construction of a lino between Napier and Gisborne, and tho prose- ' cution of,tho Gishornc-Rotorua railway. •Mr. Kettle (Napier) suggested that tho Government should acquire tho land along which railways were to be built, and subsequently as the construction proceeded dispose of tho land for settlement. Mr. D. J. Nathan (Wellington) said that tho'original schomo of railway construction— -namely, tho completion of the Main Trunk lines, — was a statesmanlike scheme, , and should be carried out. Ho mentionc/7 the enterprise of thoso private persons in Wellington who carried out tho construction of tho Wellington-Manawatu railway. That was an example that might well bo followed in other parts of tho Dominion. It seemed to him absurd that the conference should ask the Government to. borrow money to construct all tho lines that were asked for. Mr. J.vG.''Harkness(Wellington) said that ho thought that there was a general feeling in this part of the Dominion in favour of the prosecution of Main Trunk lines. He particularly referred "to tho advocacy of the South' Island Main Trunk line by tho Wellington Chamber of Commerce. ~i lr- 'H ; °- Towsley (Wellington) thought *"?* if the money now being spent on tho ( Midland Railway tunnel wore devoted to the South Island Main Trunk lino it would bo better for tho country. ■ >•■ "Mr. J. M. Johnston (Palmc'rßton North'), eaid he would approvo of the motion if these words were added: "if tho finances permit." Tho country should not go m for a further borrowing policy at present. The conferenco divided, tho voting being 8 votes for'and 8 against. Tho president said as the conference was divided, ho would five his casting vote- against tho motion. Ihe motion was therefore declared to be lost, - ' WOOL STORAGE AT LONDON. DOCKS. r t ( le, , motion of D. J. ttathan (Wclthe following resolution was adopted: inat this conferenco suggest that tho Government be requested to approach tho London dock authorities with the object of providing storage and better provision for dealing with colonial wool at tho'docks. so as to Eavo expense." , INVESTMENT OF SINKING FUNDS. Mr. P. Barr (Dunedin) moved: "That tho Government bo requested to ropcal Section w iJSf L ° Cal - Bod ! ea LoaDS Amendment - - l\u 8, s ? cl . ng that tho administration S? t ."? commissioners appointed under the Municipal Corporations Act has .been satisfactory m tho past, and that such commissioners can seouro considerably higher rates ot interest on sound securities than would bo obtained if compelled to invest only in securities issued by the Government." h , Ibe motion was agreed to. CHEAPER,CABLE RATES. „!'• Graves Aickin (Auckland) movedIhat m tho opinion ot this conferenco a substantial reduction in cable rates should ' v°-™ a c A* on early P° riod ' s " ch reduction being of the utmost importance to the community, and would in all probability prove to bo romnnerativo after a reasonable trial." . Ine motion was carried. HOLIDAYS. ' "m r "Th;* E, Watson , (Invrrqargill) moved: W Ihat on race days or show days the *,»" not bo closed until noon; (2) i, q f °f\ r? 1 **•> eliminated from the nflW. ft ld ?yVu r - banks and G °™rnment offices; (3) that this conference is opposed to the proposal in the Bill introduced to Par lament last session providing .that where , bank holidays fall O n any other day of tho MoiidaS' Shall h ° kol>t The first and second sections of tho motion woio carried, and tho third was ncatived. , ° PACIFIC ISLANDS. x Mr. M'Oallum (Auckland) moved: "That the attention of tho Government bo called to tho necessity of fostering trade with tho laoific Islands, and arrange with the shipping companies for lower rates 'of freight, especially with respect to that portion of the lacific Islands uhich has a lower freight from Australia." lie pointed out tho ad- , vantages possessed by Sydney in the way of lower iroighta-in trading with tho Islands. 11 - - H - J 5\ Tcivs l lo - v (Wellington) taid that anything that could bo done to foster trade between the Islands and New Zealand should be done Tho late Mr. Scddon had a scheme in view by moans of which a largo portion of too trade between tho Islands and Australia would bo diverted to Now Zealand. Unfortunately Mr. Seddon, owing to lm untimely -death, was unablo to carry out tho scheme. Ine motion was carried. SOUTH.ISLAND MAIN TRUNK. ( Mr. H. C. Towsley (Wellington) moved' "Thai Uio Government be urged to givo pro cedenrp to thfl construction of tho Soutl Island Alain Trunk lino." Mr. J. G. Hnrknosa (Wellington) sup; gosted that tho resolution should read "That the Government bo urged to givo pie ecdenco to tho completion of tho mam tmnl lino through tho Dominion." Mr. Towsloy's motion was agreed to, am tho suggested alteration was negatived. TRADE ARBITRATION. Mr. D. J. Nathan (Wellington) moved "That an arbitration olsuse, providing fo arbitration in the Dominion, bo inserted ii all contracts between British and foreign ex

porters .and Now Zealand importers, and that thfe British" Trade Commissioner bo aslced to act as referee in all cases, and that, oai'ja- preliminary a committee bo appointed to -draw up tho proposed .arbitration clause* and submit samo for tho approval of each chamber." , ; Mr. H. C. Tcwsloy seconded the motion. Mr. G. Shirtcliffe (Wellington) opposod tho resolution. . .. ' ■:. .. Tho, motion was carried. •*''■;-■ •■ • TRADE. STATISTICS. . - : Mr. D. J. Nathan moved: "That the attention, of the Government be called to the need of up-to-date system in tho Department dealing with the" statistics of imports and exports, so that roturns may bo issued; more frequently 'and. more promptly than at present. And, further, to ensure accuracy in tho .official reports, of tho date of shipment of exports, that legislation,. if necessary, bo passed to compel tho delivery at the Customs of'complete export entries for the cargo within 2-1 hours hours'of 'tho ship's departure; and that, on the departure of each forthightly ■ steamer for .the/United Kingdom, an official eummary ■' bo published ..of; air exports'from." the Dominion for the preceding fortnight." ■ He "'pointed, out that the-English statistics for tho last quarter of the year woro ready, by .' whereas the Now Zealand statistics were not'ready .'till May. Ho emphasised the great importance to merchants of having accurate trade statistics-at their disposal. "."*.. '*.. ;! . • ■ Tho.motion ,was carried on the voices. :;'* ■ ,• ''REGISTRATION OF FIRMS. .'.'." Mr. H. C.Tewsley (Wellington) moved :i I "That the Government be asked- to bring in i legislation to provide for.the registration.of firms on the lines of tho New South Wales Act of 1902.". „ ;': ".' .:, V '-.:"-■ .'- .".- ~.;.;. .<■ The motion was agreed to. .;■:■*■.% .■' ■:;:*'•-.;:'-''>;, ■■ : .;-CIGARS;'' ■"-■:.:.;■■■--■. On themotion of Mr.H. C. Tewsley (Wellington) ,it : was';, agreed: "Tliat:the Minister ,for; Customs 'bo asked to,investigate . the. method of assessing-duty on cigars.imported from Australia, with a view -of placing the locally-paid goods on as good a basis." ,'■*■•' *.*■ ; : '■;■■'■■■: *■* :: - '■■■'< '" ■■■-■'■ V ;V;-:,! "■'■;[ ;.*-NEXT ; CONFERENCE. ■ . -. It "was agreod that the next conferenco be '.held .at Auckland in twelve months' time. • ■ Mr.. M'Pherson.(Dunedin) moved a hearty veto* of .thanks to tho. chairman (Mr. W.G. .Duthie) and to tho.members;of the council ■*of. : '-the .Wellington Chamber. : The resolution was carried by acclamation. A vote of thanks :wasalso-pas3ed te tho secretery.-.■ (Mr.. .S. Carroll) and to the press. ■■; ■ -.'.. ■