CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Evening Star, Issue 23684, 18 September 1940, Page 12

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MEETING OF COUHCIL The monthly meeting of the council of the Chamber of Commerce was held last night, .the president (Mr C. M. Bruce) being in the chair. EXECUTIVE , REPORT.

The executive reported as follows: — Import Licenses.—-On August 22, a request was made to the Minister ot Customs for tbo early issue of fifth period licenses that orders may bo placed overseas in time for the goods to arrive within the prescribed period. It was also requested that in view of the conditions affecting sources of supply, that licenses for the United Kingdom or an Empire country should be made more readily transferrable to other Empire countries if the goods cannot, under war conditions, bo obtained from the original country. The Minister replied on August 31 that these matters were receiving consideration, but since then no further advice has been officially received on these matters. Maniototo Irrigation Scheme. —When the Minister of Public Works was present in Dunedin on September 4, a deputation waited on him, again pointing out the desirability and necessity of the above scheme. Unfortunately, circumstances did not permit of the deputation being received, but written representations were submitted by the chairman of the Otago Harbour Board, and the Minister advised that the matter would receive his careful consideration. Several members of tbo council expressed tbo opinion that the Maniototo scheme was one of paramount importance to the Dominion and Otago. Mr H. L. Gibson remarked that before further representations were made to the Government there should be some unanimity of opinion, which was not the case at the moment, he understood. Mr J. S. Skinner said there were several vital matters to be considered before any Government went ahead with such a major scheme. Compensation and the area of irrigable land held by any one man were points for consideration. Mr P. O. Smcllic remarked that some of the runholders in the district would he quite? satisfied with, say, 50 acres of laud being irrigated, but who would bo against their land being cut up. The Government, however, would not allow one man to bold 2,000 or more acres of irrigated laud. PETROL RATIONING. Following the last meeting of the council, the Chairman stated, the executive had met, and received a deputation from the motor trade, when the subject of petrol rafioning was discussed. After a very full discussion a recommendation was carried that the trade had made out a very sound case for an increase in petrol, unless the Government could show good reason that such an increase would be detrimental to the Dominion’s war effort.

Mr P. O. Smellie, who was a member of the executive to meet the trade, outlined to the council the evidence which had been placed before the chamber. On the facts the executive felt justified in supporting the trade, subject to the proviso at the end of it. The recommendation was then put as a motion, and carried. It was decided to send a copy of the recommendation to the Automobile Association.