COMMERCE CHAMBERS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 15, 13 October 1943, Page 6

COMMERCE CHAMBERS

Remits For Conference

Next Month

Alarm at the progressive deterioration in the rate of natural increase of population in New Zealand is expressed in a remit sponsored by Wellington and Dunedin, which will come before the annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce in Dunedin next month. The Government, it is suggested. should be urged to set up a Royal Commission immediately to inquire into tlie present trend of population, to make recommendations to arrest the present tendency and to bring down proposals calculated to effect an improvement in the birth-rate. The remit also stresses the need for immediate consideration of the problems of immigration. Auckland sponsors the following remit: — “That this conference, being convinced that the licensing of industries under the Industrial Efficiency Act discourages initiative, curbs enterprise, discounts ability, and fosters the growth of monopolies, urges on the Government that the repeal of these provisions is necessary in the interests of Um community as a whole ami especially so in tiie interests of returning servicemen, for whom the country is in honour bound to provide adequate openings for employment and opportunities of advancement.” Cartterbury suggests that the Government be asked to restrict the use of Orders-in-Couneil for effecting changes in the law and to introduce legislation prescribing “that all regulations automatically lapse unless confirmed by resolutions of both Houses of Parliament within, say, two months after the commencement of the session next following the gazetting of the regulations.” Wanganui asks the conference to support the efforts of coastal shipping companies and New Zealand hanbour boards in their endeavour “to eliminate the present uneconomic competition against, sea freights by the New Zealand railways.” and suggests that, it necessary, tlie Government lie requested to set. up a transport board to consider the matter of “inequitable railway freights that arc charged only for tlie purpose of competing with coastal freight rales.” Auckland suggests that, to assist, development of family life, greater taxation exemption should be given married persons and that the family benefit of </<> for each child be extended to all families, irrespective of income, and be exempt from taxation.