NEW ZEALAND CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 51, 23 November 1917, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

ANNUAL REPORT.

The report of the executive of the Association of iS T ew Zealand Chambers of Commerce for 1016-17 refors to trade after the war, and acknowledges that "it is evident, bo far as possible, concerted action throughout tho Empire will require to bo taken, and ono of the duties of the executivo of the association will be to see that the representative of New Zealand at any Imperial Conference, or on an Imperial Council of Empire, is made familiar with the views of the commercial community of the Dominion." The recommendations of tho British Association of Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom referring to treatment of enemy shipping after tho war, were adopted by the sub-commit-tee appointed to go into the matter.

The executive states that "the desirability of reorganising the Department of Industries and Commerce in New Zealand will be one of the subjects of discussion at tlie forthcoming conference." It is further stated that New Zealand has been particularly fortunate during the war in being able to market its chief products. The effect of the Government commandeer and tho Imperial purchase has been that the onus of providing transport facilities has been placed upon tho Imperial Government as purchaser. As the result of its participation in the war, the financial obligations of the Dominion have increased! enormously—the latest Ministerial statement indicates that New Zealand's obligation is mounting up at the rate of nearly two and a half millions a month.

"Nothing; is more evident tiinn that the interests of Now Zealand will best be conserved, botli during and after the war, by increasing production and by the strictest economy on the part of all members of the community to enable the Dominion to better fulfil its obligations. The Dominion is capable of much greater development, and nothing must be left undone which will result in increased production, in improvement in tho manner in, which our products are'presented for "market, and in providing shipping facilities to convey our goods to the world's mnrlcets." Tho report contains references to bankruptcy law, taxation, and other matters—subjects of the association's representation to the Government, and reported at the time they were made.

Receipt of a' draft scheme for the establishment of a Board of Science and Industry in the Dominion is acknowledged in the report.