THE CENTRAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2362, 19 January 1915, Page 9

THE CENTRAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

SOME HARDY PERENNIALS. • There wore present at tho monthly meeting of tho Central Chamber of Commorco, held yeaterday aftornoon, Messrs. C. M. Luke (chairman), J. Reid, H. A. Fox, A! Edwards, E. J. Pitagibbon, A. Leigh Hui)t, C. E. Daniel (chairman of the Mastcrton Oliarnbor of Commeroo), and G. Windor. Before tpe business of the meeting was taken the chairman congratulated Mr. H. A. Fox on his appearance at the meeting, and his recovery from the effects of the serious railway accident in which he was injured. Mr. 0. E. Daniel, chairman • of the Mastcrton Chaniber of Commerce, was also wolcomet! as a gentleman who hai taken b lively interest in bringing about _ a deviation of the Ripiutaka railway line ■ and the opening up of tjie East Coast lands. ■ ' . ' The chairman announced that Mr, Frank Charlton, who has been appoint, ed organiser t° tho Chamber ijnmedi-' ately before the holidays, had npt had much chance to get about much among the business community, hut during the last few days he had - been getting, into closer touch with, he hpped, beneficial result? tq the Chamber, Mr. Luke reported that ne reply had yet beep received from the Prime Minister respecting the opening up of trade . between New and Nerih* and South American west coast ports, Those present, however, would be gratis . fied to see that the Government had given backing to a gentleman who had already visited Soutn America, where good prospeotß were in view. At the last meeting of the council there was a good deal said about the advisability of New Zealand securing control of the spurces cf phosphates sup--ply in the Pacific. The Department of Industries and Commerce was cpmrounioated with as to the sources, and had been adyisod that the Agricultural Chemist of the Dominion Laboratory in Great. Britain and the United States had supplied a' repprt on the_ subject, and inquiries had been instituted » oonnection with the possibility of .obtaining control of deposits in some of the Pacific Islands. It was decided on the motion of Mr. J. B. Reid, seconded by Mr. E: J. Fitzgibbon, that the secretary should arrange an interview with the Primp Minister respecting desired action in regard to the revision of bills pf lading, ?wd charges made by shipping companies. From the Department of Industries and Commerce was received a notification that it was desired that the sheep returns an 4 the particulars of the putput of dairy produce should be made available sooner than is at present the case. The assurance was given that the matter would reeoive consideration. The same Department also forwarded a copy of the special invoice form used in connection with the importation of New Zealand goods into Canada. Payments to the extent of £31 6s. were authorised. The statement of finance presented showed a balance tc credit of £159 2s. 2d, Before the .meeting adjourned. Mr. A. Edwards asked if the Central Chamber was to be represented at a meeting of the consignees of the interned-German steamer Scandia palled by WollingT ton Chamber of Commerce.' The chair r man said that he assumed that any member of the council who was a con- ■ sjgnoe would' attend, but the Chamber would not be officially represented. -