CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 53, 26 November 1926, Page 13

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

JLAND SETTLEMENT AND OTHER TOPICS OFFICEBEARERS ELECTED The Association of New Zealand Chambers of Commerce continued its conference in the Council Chambers, (Town Hall, yesterday. Mr. !■’. It. Ball (Gisborne) moved: •'That, in view of the present pressing needs -for greater production, the Government be strongly urged to inaugurate a forward policy of closer settlement in the Dominion.” He said that the Government was spendinc hundreds of thousands of pounds on roads and railways, and so giving an indirect inducement for the importation ot foreign goods. It would bo far better if some of the money were spent in direct oflort at increased production. His chamber recommended that the clauses for compulsory purchase be enforced, and also advocated the subdivision of first-class land, and not second or third-class. In seconding the motion, Sir. T. Quirk (Gisborne) said that when land ’ was at fictitious values a few years ago ■ the Government had acquired blocks tor - settlement which were more or less of a failure. On that account the Government was now more cautious. I here was land in his district, and no doubt in other districts as well, which, could be acquired at payable prices. The remit was carried. Land Valuation.

Mr. R. B. Bell (South Canterbury) moved: "That the Valuer-General be asked to arrange for a revaluation ot the whole of the rural land of. New Zealand, with the object of bringing land down to present-day values. "It is a well-known fact, he said, •'that in many parts of New Zealand, the value of country lands is too high. Many of the valuations were made at a time when pr’ices were considerably higher than they are at present, and it appears to be a fact that the valuation Office is confining its attention to the boroughs and cities, where increases are to be expected, and doing very little in the counties where decreases are cerln seconding the motion. Mr. W. Machin '(Christchurch) said that noone took any notice of Government valuations to-day. In many eases the valuation fixed was far higher than the land could possibly be for many years Ito come. . The remit was carried. Legislation by Orders-in-CounoiL "This conference reaffirms the < pinion expressed last year that the tendency to institute important legislation by means of Order-in-Council is causing serious concern and uncertainty in commercial circles. The conference considers that exercise of the powers of legislation by Order-in-Council is justifiable only for emergency legislation 01 , to provide necessary machinery arid regulations under Acts of Parliament, and when so exercised should be ratified by Parliament as early as possible.” This remit was moved by Mr. C. P. Agar (Canterbury), who said that then rights as citizens were being filched by such a method of legislation. The president said that on a previous occasion the Government had asked for a specific instance, and that had immediately been supplied by the motoromnibus regulations. Tie thontrht they should continue to make vigorous protests against legislation by Order-in-CounciL The remit was carrteci. < Other Decisions.

"That thia conference strongly deprecates Interference of a discriminatory character with commercial concerns by Government Departments in the attempt to find panaceas for economical maladjustments, thereby inflicting l ardships on some members of the commercial community in the course of attempting to avoid possible difficulties for ethers." This remit was moved by Mr. J. B. Richards (Stratford) and earned. The following remits were also adopted s— That this conference reaffirms the urgent need for amendment of the Auctioneers Act and regulation to restrict the operations of itinerant auctioneers of an undesirable type. That this Association of Chambers of Commerce takes what action it considers necessary to expedite the adoption of the decimal system of weights, measures and coinage. That this conference again affirms the principle of daylight-saving, and expresses regret that Parliament has again decided against the. institution of sum-mer-time. That representations be again made to the Minister of Justice to meet the demand of the commercial community for a revision of our bankruptcy legislation, and that the Government be Urged to follow the examples of the Australian. Canadian, and British Legislatures _ in enacting _ bankruptcy legis. lation in keeping with presentlday requirements. That the Government be asked to proceed, at as early a date as possible, with the consolidation and revision of the Companies Act. That the Government be asked to fully investigate -and report upon the possihilities. of extending the operations of the fishing industry in New Zealand, particularly in regard to canning and marketing all classes of fish which .abound on onr coasts.

That the Motor Regulation Act should be amended to provide that, in prosecutions for summary offences under the Act or in prosecutions for breach of bylaws relating to offences by motorists, the evidence of defendant and his witnesses residing at a distance from the Court of hearing may be taken on commission at the Court nearest to their residence, as is done in civil cases under the Magistrate’s Court Act and under the Destitute Persons Act.

That tho Motor Regulations Act be amended to provide that no person shall he prosecuted for exceeding any speed limit or for negligent driving unless he is warned at the time of the commission of the offence of the intended prosecution, or unless notice of the intended prosecution is sent to him or the registered owner of the car within fourteen days of the commission of the offence. That, while congratulating the Government on its increased activity in advertising New Zealand abroad, this conference reaffirms that the needs of the Dominion demand still greater efforts, and that Parliament be urged to appropriate annually such increased amount as the importance of the subject demands. The conference also strongly urges that more constructive efforts should be mads to exploit our science, health, and sport resources on commercial lines. t That the liability of land under tho Workers’ Compensation Act be abolished.

That this conference deplore? the haste in which' the Town-Planning Bill was pushed through Parliament. In view of the fact that the main highways. particularly in the vicinity of cities and towns, have not been improved as a result of the operations of the Main Highways Act, that tho Highways Board (In order to encourage reconstruction of roads where it is considered necessary) be reouested to substantially increase their subsidy for reconstruction work.

' That the Post and Telagraph Department be congratulated upon the highly satisfactory financial result of the last year’s operations of the telephone branch, and that the Poertmaster-Oen-eral be requested to take into consideration the desirability of reducing rates to subscribers a= soon as possible, as lower charges would still further popularise this utility. That the conference reaffirms the resolutions passed at previous conferences as to the necessity for a flat rate of freight between San Francisco. Vancouver, and the main ports of New Zealand being n condition of all future mnil C °That C the Government be urged to make

inquiries aa to the expediency of using the Panama route for mail cervices. In view of the South Island’s dependence for its welfare and development upon regular and sufficient steamer services with Australia and elsewhere, Government be urged to arrange for a regular and more satisfactory shipping service between Melbourne and South Island ports. That, with a view to the removal of the present disability under which the South Island trading community is lar bouring in the matter of steamer services from the East Coast of America and the West Coast of England, this conference recommends the Overseas Shipowners* Committee to adopt a system whereby each of the of the Dominion will, as far as possible, receive equal treatment in the matter of first arrivals and final calls of these steamers. That this conference recommends that the Government be approached with a view to seeing that provision is made whereby the public of the Dominion may obtain, by direct shipments to the main ports, better supplies of the fruits grown in the islands of the Pacific Ocean. That the Associated Banks he urged to institute the practice of advising customers by letter when interest rates are altered. That the Impounding Act he amended so as to exclude from cities and borough towns its application in relation to damages for trespass of cattle, if a resolution to that effect is passed by such local authority. Officers Elected. The following office-bearers were elected President, Mr. W. Machin (Christchurch): vice-president, Mr. D. J. McGowan (Wellington): executive. Messrs. J. Simpson, A. McKenzie (Wellington), C. P. Agar (Christchurch), F. A. Hellaby (Auckland), and A. H. Mackrell (Invercargill). It was decided that the next conference be held in Christchurch.