TRADE & COMMERCE. MEETING OF BUSINESS MEN.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 86, 12 April 1911, Page 8

TRADE & COMMERCE. MEETING OF BUSINESS MEN.

INTERESTING REVIEW. i Luncheon preceded business at the annual meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce this afternoon, and members assembled in large numbers. Mr. 11. C. Tewsley, preoident, occupied the chair. THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. In moving the adoption of the annual report (a digest of which has already' been published), the president referied to the question of the "suburban area" in the matter of railway freights. The demands of residents in Plimmerton and other outlying districts beyond Johnsonville had not been complied v.-ith, and he suggested as a trial" the area should be extended during the summer months. LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. As an evidence of the good fe-aling that existed between ths London Chamber of Commerce and the chambers within the Dominion, an invitation had been extended to members of the chamber visiting London tc record their names at the London Chamber of Commerce, when courtesies and all facilities within its power would be extended to tbes-e- who desired it. With regard to the Imperial Council of Commerce, the London Chamber, subsequent to the Sydney Congress, had taken steps, to establish an Imperial Council, and it v. r as hoped, that some definite schema would be adopted by which this would be a permanent and useful institution. NORTH ISLAND RAILWAY LEAGUE. This body, continued the speaker, was endeavouring- tc deal with the question of improved railway facilities for the North Island. It was felt by a, large section of the Wellington community, and ako by the chambers in 'the North, as> well as the Wellington Chamber, that the Main Trunk railway connections, east and west, should have preference- over other and smaller lines that possibly individual members might advocate. NEW MAIL SERVICE. Referring to the new San Franciscocervioe he said it was hoped that when the immense advantages of. having vessels mere up-to-date and of greater steaming power in the service were realised, the better quality vessels would be continued. Th© service would become a use. ful one if vessels of the type of the Manuka' were continued in the running. NEW ZEALAND MEAT AND PRODUCE. The Government had been asked if it would go into' the question of getting our produce admitted into the United States and the Continent on more favourable terms than at present, and a reply was received from the Prime Minister saying that "h& would take advantage cf any opportunity that might be afforded him during his travels to develop the export trade of our Dominion." MUNICIPAL AND HARBOUR. BOARD ELECTIONS. Following on. the new scheme of appointments under the extended franchise the council initiated a Citizens' League, and a selection had been made of a number of men that it was thought would give valuable service to the city. The decision to cancel the dock contract with Messrs. M'Lean Bros, was, he said, a wise one, and the city of Wellington had been relieved of a great, incubus. A DELICATE MARKET. He referred to the general increase in imports and exports, and said he could but emphasise the extreme sensibility of the local market by pointing out the Ferious possibility that a temporary drop in the value of our exports caused last year. Had it not been ior a quick'recovery in market prices the financial position would have been disastrous. This was a subject well worthy of consideration by financial institutions and producers. IMMIGRATION. It was to be regretted that a more active scheme of immigration had not been adopted by the Government, and it was also to be regretted that certain sections of the community were endeavouring to block the importation of added numbers to New Zealand on theplea that by so doing labour would be cheapened, and the possibility of there not being work for those- who arrived. If the proper class of immigrant was secured there should ba no difficulty under this heading. It was a well-known fact that in a considerable number of the manufacturing establishments throughout New Zealand a large amount of labour was required that could not >be got. The great need of the Dominion was emigrants who were fitted to go on the land — the crying need of the Dominion at the present day was a safe but progressive immigration policy. DEFENCE. Touching on defence, he said it was generally agreed that the selection of the Commandant had been a wise one, and it was to be hoped that he would be given a free hand, untrammelled by politics or pull, so that the creation of a standing army might prove such a perfect scheme as would give New Zealand a thoroughly efficient end welltrained body of men to protect it should occasion arise. BANKRUPTCY LAWS. After referring to the completion of the Hutt raihyay duplication works, Mr. Tewsley said that it was mait-tr lor regret that, no steps had been taken to improve the Bankruptcy Act, though copies of the resolutions* passed by the council had been sent to the Government. In conclusion, the president referred to the propor.al that the Shelly Bay-road should be improved so as tv permit of motor-cars and carriages being driven right round the water trout to Seavoun. The scheme, ho said, would be a \ery popular one if the Government v.ould undeitake the contraction of the road. (Applause. J The motion for the adoption of the report was seconded by Mr. Gr. Wilson. THE DISCUSSION. Mr. D. J. Nathan, in speaking to the motion, remarked that none ot them were satisfied with the present bills of lading, and they felt that without Gov- j ernmont assistance they could not get a. contract that would give them a fair run for then money. . Perhaps now, however, fome benefit would result from the London conference of Chambers of Commerce. fle ako referred ia the question of municipal trading concerns, which he did not think had shown so great- a profit as they should have shown. If the increase of wages asked for by the tramwpy employees was granted, the whole of the piofits would j disappear, but seeing that tho council I had been offered £3U,COU a year by a private company for the privilege of limning the trams, they could only cozne to the conclusion that the council h:id made a very sorry bargain. He urged j that the balance-sheets of municipal trading concerns i.hould be published in the same ioim as these ot any pmate undertaking. lie did not think that ihe management oi the council's trading concerns had shown the capacity that the people had a right to expect. 'Speaking more generally lie contended that the

Government could not boirow sufficient money to build all the railways inquired, and he suggested that local bodieo or private enterprise should build the branch lines, -leaving the const; action of the main lines to tlie Go\ eminent. Unless that was done the country would not develop at a reasonable rate for the next hundred yeais. 'ihe report and balance-sheet were adopted without further discussion. Mr. G. Sliirtcline, in GomcHUijplementary remarks, emphasised the tact that the increase in export"; was laigely o pi Ice increase, aud urged that therefore, it provided an argument for a vigmons immigiation and land settlement policy. If K«w Zealand depended solely on pi ices it would go entirely do'vn come day. Ab to the bankruptcy law he said he regretted that the Chamber had not been more aggressive in its demand for necessary amendments to adequately protect the mercantile community. Ho hoped the incoming council would take iho matter vigorously in hand. As to tramwajs, he said their position wns not so bad as Mr. Katlian suggested. So far they had accumulated £77,000 which had been expended on increasing the rolling stock and plant, and a sinking fund of £27,000, while in the electric lighting they had accumulated a sum oi £44,000. Finally, he urged that members of the chamber did not take sufficient interest in matters affecting the mercantile community. That was a great mictake. Their friends in the Kcrth were continually agitating, and generally succeeded in getting what they agitated for. The sam» thing could be done here. (Applause.) The Acting-Prime Minister (Hon. J. Carroll) the Hon. J. A. Millar, and the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. T. M. Wilford. M.P.) sent apologies for their unavoidable absence.