CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 64, 14 August 1874, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

A meeting of the committee of the Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon at the rooms. Present—Mr Dymock (the chairman) in the chair, Messrs Nathan, W. H. Lane, Hassnll, and Aynsley. The business before the committee was of a formal nature. The following letter from the hon Premier was read : " New Zealand Telegraph, " Head Office, Wellington, "4th August, 1874. " Sir, —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th July, respecting shipping telegrams. " 2. In reply, I have to inform you that I did not misunderstand the nature of the application made by the Chamber ; but that I pre sumed you were aware that that application had been several times dealt with.

'• 3. The object of my letter of June 17th was to communicate to the Canterbury Chamber the course which the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce was prepared to adopt with respect to shipping telegrams, which is a concession by the department in the direction desired, and going as far as was considered prudent or possible. " 4. The difficulty you mention as to local agents in different parts of the country is one which, I think, could be easily met through private organisations which already exist. On the other hand, the Telegraph Department is not in possession of, and ought not to be expected to obtain the information with which your Chamber desires to be supplied ; indeed, the department is liable to be blamed in connection with the complaints now made as to imperfect information, although it has only to transmit what is supplied by the harbor or ttie customs authorities.

" 5. The arrivals and departures of English mail steamers are supplied as the Chamber desires. If there has been any failure as to 'that information, it has not been the fault of the Telegraph Department, except that on the passage of the last steamer there was an oversight at Blenheim which caused the message to be delayed there for a few hours on its way South. "6. I have given instructions that the arrivals and departures of English mail steamers shall be carefully and promptly telegraphed in future. " I have the honor to be, sir, " Your most obedient servant, "Julius Vogel. "The Chairman " Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. " Christchurch." A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the business before the meeting. The annual general meeting was then held. Present —Messrs Dymock (chairman), Matson, Jenkins, Hassall, W. H. Lane, Aynsley, Nathan, Carruthers, Montgomery, Pavitt, Jameson, Stead, A. Cuff, Bennett, C. R. Blakiston, J. A. Bird (secretary), Maling, Revans, Twentyman, D. Craig, Fletcher, Bobison, Carrick, Anderson, Connell, Henderson, and Inglis. The minutes of the last general meeting were read and confirmed. A ballot was taken for the election of Messrs E. Eeece and W. H. Hargreaves as rejoining members of the Chamber, and resulted in their election. The Chairman stated that he had called on the Chief Postmaster respecting the detention of the Taranaki's mails, and he had told him that the mails had been overlooked on the platform, which was the cause of the detention complained of. Mr Fitz•gibbon had also mentioned that he had instructed the local postmaster in Lytteltou to telegraph when a steamer is detained beyond the advertised time, when a supplementary mail would be -made up and sent by the train, supposing one to be starting in time to catch the steamer. Regarding the Insolvency Bill, he had received a communication from the Dunedin Chamber, asking them to take united action in the matter, and that neither chamber should introduce amendments into the Bill without first consulting the other. The chamber was now Considering the matter. As he eaw Mr Montgomery present that day, he would like to hear from him what was the position of affairs in Wellington, and whether there was any chance of the Bill passing through the House. [Hear, hear.] Mr Montgomery said that he had hardly time to ascertain fully the feeling of the House on the matter. He had lirst made enquiry of the Government whether they intended to bring in a Bill. The Government, he believed, would not be averse to any reasonable amendments being made in the Bill, though they would Dot take steps to introduce a Bill themselves. He had consulted several of his friends in the House, who had advised him that they did not think it prudent to bring in a Bill such as that proposed. Up regretted that circumstances which were known to all of them had called him away from Wellington at so early a period, and he had thus been prevented from doing that amount m connection with this subject which he otherwise would have done. He was leaving for Wellington in a day or so, and should be happy to do anything in his power to forward the interest of the Chamber. [Hear, hear.] The secretary (Mr J. A. Bird), then read the following report : " Your committee have now the pleasure of laying before yon the report of the proceedings of the past year : "Bill op Lading.—A modified bill of lading having been agreed to at a meeting of shipowners and shipbrokers, held in London, early last year, your committee took the subject into full consideration, and recommended that a similar form should be adopted by exporters in this province. " Haebob Jmpeovements.—The matter of Harbor improvements has continued to occupy attention during the past year, and your committee are glad to observe that progress is being made in the works now under contract. In November last, your committee brought under the not ice of the Government the necessity of providing means for docking large vessels, and it is hoped that a work of such importance will receive attention at their hands. ' ; BEBTHING AND DISCHARGE OP VESSELS, Transit uF Goods, &c.—The inconvenience

md delay in berthing and discharging vessels at Lyttelton, also the time occupied in transit of goods to Christchurch, has largely engaged the attention of your committee, deputations have waited on the Provincial Government from time to time, bringing under their notice the result of enquiries made in connection with this subject. It is expected that during the ensuing year arrangements now being made will remove or greatly lessen the inconvenience complained of.

"Railway Storage Charges.— The question of railway and storage charges have received considerable attention, and a deputation waited on the Provincial Government to represent the views of the Chamber on these subjects.

'■ The Government have stated that the rates which they propose to introduce are of an experimental character only, and are open to such future modifications as experience may show to be advisable, and that they desire to have fall control over the goods, so as to prevent the delays which have occurred in their delivery.

" Telegraphic Information.—Another effort has been made to induce the General Government to supply the public with free shipping telegraphic information, but without success. The only concession offered is to give such intelligence to the Chamber, through its own agents, at press rates. The representatives of Canterbury having been requested to bring the matter under notice of the House, it is to be hoped that their efforts will induce the Government to reconsider their decision.

" The Chambers of Commerce at Dunedin, Wellington, and Auckland, have also been communicated with on the subject. " The necessary sanction having been now obtained from the Legislatures of Queensland and New South Wales, authorising, in conjunction with New Zealand, a contract for laying down a submarine cable, direct communication with Europe and the colonies will probably be accomplished at no distant date." " Insolvency Bill.—lt is much to be regretted that an amended Bankruptcy Law has not yet been passed by the Legislature, the subject has continued to occupy the attention of your committee, who have brought it under the notice of the members for the province, and have also requested the Chambers of Commerce in the other provinces to pursue a like course, so that combined action may induce the Government to introduce such a very important measure."

" Trade op the'Province.—The tables of exports and imports for the year ending 30th June last, attached to this report, exhibit a steady and satisfactory increase. " With the exception of flax, the prices of our staple products have been well maintained, and the scarcity of labor which has hitherto existed, has been much lessened by the continuous stream of immigration now directed to our shores. " The number of immigrants who have arrived in the province during the year ending 30th June has been 5687, equal to 4635 statute adults. " Among traders generally business has been sound, and there have been few failures of importance during the year. " The accounts for the year ending 31st July, 1874, duly audited, are produced, showing a balance at the credit of the Chamber of £l7l 2s 3d. " 68 members have renewed their subscriptions for the year just ended, and 12 new members have been admitted. "Your committee cannot conclude this report without adverting to the loss they have sustained by the death of Mr Reginald Cobb, who took an active part in all matters affecting mercantile interests, and whose valuable assistance was much appreciated. "W. Dymock, " Chairman." Mr J. T. Matson moved—" That the report as read, be adopted and printed." Mr Pavitt seconded the motion which was agreed to. The Chairman then stated that the next business would be the election of officebearers for the ensuing year. A ballot was first taken for the office of chairman, and Mr L. E. Nathan duly elected to serve for the ensuing year. The follo'wing is a list of the officers for 1874-75 —Chairman, Mr L. R. Nathan; deputy-chairman, Mr W. H. Lane; committee, Messrs Anderson, Aynsley, Inglis, Hassall, Dymock, Palmer, Hennah, Coates, and Montgomery ; auditor, Mr David Craig (re-elected). Mr L. E. Nathan briefly thanked the members for the honor done him in electing him as chairman for the ensuing year. Mr Pavitt moved n. vote of thanks to the officers of the Chamber for the past year. Mr Matson seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

A vote of thanks to Mr D. Craig, auditor for the past year, concluded the proceedings.