CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1301, 21 May 1878, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The quarterly general meeting of tho Chamber was held yesterday at 3 p.m. Present —Messrs J. Anderson (chairman), Eevans, Gould, Booth, A. Duncan, Hassal, W. H. .Hargreaves, R. "Walton, Cameron, Cunningham, Bird (secretary), A. C. Wilson, S. Manning, inglis, Turner, Nathan, and Hon. J. T. Peacock. NEW MEMBERS. On a ballot, Messrs Chrystall and J. S. Jameson were elected as members of the Chamber, THE PARIS EXHIBITION. Mr Hassal said that he hardly understood from tho minutes what steps the Chamber had taken in regard to tho non-representation of New Zealand at the Paris Exhibition. So far as he could learn the other colonies had been represented, and ho thought it was much to be regretted that the colony was not represented also at this most important exhibition. The Chairman said the Government had replied t© the Chamber that owing to the Assembly not having voted any money for the purpose, New Zealand could not be represented. It was matter for great regret that this was the case, but the Government having stated so distinctly that no money was voted, the Chamber had no alternative but simply to express regret, and could take no further steps. THE CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT. The Chairman said it would bo recollected that a committee had been appointed to interview the Premier during his late visit as to tho railway tariff, and also as to the extension of the railway to the West Coast. Before doing so it was thought best to interview Mr Conyers on the matter of the tariff. That gentleman had replied that his instructions had been to reduce the tariff between Christchurch and Dunedin, and that this would probably continue for somo time. Mr Conyers therefore thought that as the matter was so far settled there was no need to interview Sir George Grey on the subject. The committee agreed to accept this view, and did not bring this matter before Sir George. As regarded tho West Coast railway they did not think themselves competent to deal with this matter, and remitted it therefore to this general meeting. As to tho question of defence he thought it would be well for the Chamber to consider what Eteps should bo urged upon the Government in tho matter of defending tho ports. There was a variety of opinions on tho matter, but he thought that it would be well if the Chamber took tho matter into consideration. As would be remembered the Chamber had acquired a section of land somo twelve months ago, which had now doubled its value. It was felt that to allow this section to remain unoccupied longer would be undesirable, and therefore a committee had been appointed to consider tho matter of putting up a building for the purposes of the Chamber. That committee had considered tho subject, and had recommended the erection of a building for the uses of tho Chamber, a portion of which might bo utilised for offices, &c. The committoe had asked Mr Arnison to prepare sketch plans for the erection of a building, which that gentleman had kindly dono. It was also proposed to put a hall at the back, which could be let, and which would bo highly remunerative. So soon as tho Chamber considered the question he should be prepared to give information on the subject. There was a letter regarding light dues from tho Shipbuilders' Association in Auckland, which would bo read by the secretary, LIGHT DUES AND PILOTAGE. A letter was read from the Shipbuilders' Association, Auckland, asking the co-operation of the Chamber in representing to tho Government the hardship which existed in the ports of New Zealand by light dues and pilotage being exacted at each port visited by intercolonial trading vessels. The letter suggested that the Australian mode of granting exemption certificates to masters making a certain number of voyages to certain ports should be adopted. Mr Hassal asked to whom the fee 3 were now paid? The chairman said that at present they were paid to the Harbor Board. Mr Turner said that the best mode of dealing with the letter would be to forward it to the Lyttelton Harbor Board, a committee of which body was now sitting to consider the question of pilotage and light dues. Tho fact was, however, that the main points referred to were now carried out practically, as any master having made three voyages to any of the larger ports could, by making application to the Government and passing an examination, receive a certificate of exemption. The only question, it appeared, upon which the opinion of the Chamber was required was that a proportion should ba borne by the consolidated revenue. Mr Hargreaves said that tho only hardship ho saw was with regard to light dues. As regarded pilotage, on taking out exemption certificates the vessel was exempted for twelve months. Harbor dues there'might be some question about; this he was not prepared to say, but the arrangements now made as regarded colonial vessels, especially locally owned, were very fair indeed, because as he had said by taking out an exemption certificate any vessel could become exempt for twelve months. The cost of the exemption certificate was, ho understood, only double tho pilotage for one trip. Mr Hassal enquired whether this applied to Lyttelton only and not to, the other ports gf the colony. Mr Turner said that It applied to all the ports except Nelson and some bar harbors. Mr Hassall said he thought tho matter should bo referred to the Harbor Board. Mr Nathan also agreed with his view becauso the Chamber had no data before it to decide whether the charges made were high or not. Besides this would affect the revenues of the Harbor Board, and therefore they were the proper persons to bring the matter before the Government. At the same time on the first reading of the letter he was not prepared to go tho whole length of it. The writer wished on account of the precarious nature of shipping, that a portion of these charges should be borne by the general public. But it appeared to him that tho general public did this already, as these fees were made a surcharge upon the general public. If the letters were passed on to the Lyttelton Harbor Board, it would perhaps be thought that the Chamber was in favor of it, which wa3 a position they could hardly take up. He would suggest that the writers be recommended to place the matter before the Harbor Boards of the colony. It was resolved —''That tho secretary write to tho association, recommending them to lay tho matter before tho s-jveral Harbor Boards of tho colony." DEFENCE OP THE COLONY. Tho Chairman said he would like to hear an expression of opinion from the members of the Chamber on tho subject of the defences of the colony. It was scarcely a matter within tho province of tho ChamLor, but still it was one upon which tho voice of the Chamber would have considerable weight. He would desire tho opinion of the Chamber as to whether tho colony should be defended or left as it was. Mr Hassal said that he understood tho General Government had sent homo for some gnus to fortify the Heads. It was a matter of great import-.nee, as any privateer might make a raid upon them, and they would be in a manner with their hands tied. He thought not a moment should bo lost in putting themselves in an attitude of dt fence, and he thought the Government should also recognise the services of the various corps of Volunteers. The (. hairman said Mr Harnian had been in communication with the Government on tho

matter, and had asked that somo 500 breechloading rifles should bo sent here. Mr A. C. "Wilson said that he thought the Harbor Board would bo very glad to have the support of the Chamber in any efforts they might take in the direction of getting the harbor fortified by the Government. What he thought the Chamber should do was to inform the Harbor Board that, having considered their propositions for the defence of the harbor, they were 'cordially in favor of their being adopted. Mr Hargreaves said ho thought the Chamber should go a little further, and ask the Government the direct question, whether they intended to support the Volunteer causo by substantial aid, or to call out the Militia. It had been too much the custom to sneer at volunteering. _He hardly iknow why ; because though there might have been somo playing at soldiers, those very men who might have done this were quite competent to defend their homes when needed. If anything like substantial support had been accorded to the Volunteer movement they would have had trained bands of men, notably artillei'ymen, which was what they wanted, particularly for the defence of their sea ports. Ho might say that when in command of the Lyttelton Artillery, Colonel Haultain in inspecting the corps, then sixty-five strong, had said that it was second to none in the colony. Had anything like substantial support been afforded to volunteers they would now have had trained bands of men at their disposal for the defence of the colony. He would move—" That the Chamber communicate with the Government, and ask them whether they intend to afford substantial support to tho volunteers, or to call out tho militia." Hon. J. T. Peacock did not think the Chamber should go so far as the motion of Mr Hargreaves suggested. It might bo left in the hands of tho Chairman to communicato with the Government. Ho thought that they should leave tho defence of the colony in tho hands of those responsible for it. Mr Hassal said that there could be no doubt that this was a most important subject, and that tho chairman of tho Chamber was entitled to tho thanks of tho members for bringing it under their notice. At tho same time it had come under their notice somewhat suddonly. No doubt that tho time had arrived when it was necessary for them to put themselves in a state of defence. Other colonies were doing so, and it would not do for them to remain, as it were, with their hands beside them. He thought that the best way would be not to pass any formal resolution, but to leavo the matter in the hands of the chairman to take such steps as ho might deem necessary in communicating with the Government.

The Chairman said he understood that ho was to communicate with the Government and enquire of them whether thoy would bo prepared to afford substantial support to the volunteers, or whether they intended to call out tho militia. That being so, he would at onco communicate with the Government on the matter.

BUILDING FOR THE CHAMBER. The Chairman said the next business before the meeting would be tho consideration of the sketch plans submitted by Mr Armson for the building to be occupied by tho Chamber. He might say that tho plans contemplated a rather expensive building, costing some .£IO,OOO, but they wore assured that this outlay would soon bo recouped. The committeo had suggested the erection of a building fronting Cashel street at a cost of ,£2OOO or £2500, which the committee thought they could grapple with very fairly, The committeo thought that if half the number of members of tho Chamber agreed to become life members, at say £2O each, they would have £IOOO or so in hand. Then with the valuable section they now possessed they could borrow money enough to erect the building. Then by combining offices they would be enabled to raise the interest and sinking fund. Mr Armson, however, proposed to put a large hall at the back of the proposed building as suggested by the committee. This hall, Mr Armson proposed, should be one of the best in Christchurch, and there would bo he (Mr£ Armson) thought no difficulty in obtaining a large rental per annum. The cost, as stated, was something over £IO,OOO. This sum was so largo that ho (the chairman) thought it was beyond the reach of the Chamber. Somo members were, however, of tho opinion that the hall would soon recoup tho amount, and pointed to tho Oddfellows' Hall, which had redeemed every ponny of debt thereon. In answer to the Hon. J. T. Peacock, The Chairman said that he was of opinion that they would bo in a better position to pay their debts if they had the large hall, though the sum was a very large ono. Mr A. Duncan said that, with the building as proposed by the committee, there woidd be a small charge on the Chamber; whilst if they carried out tbo whole building there would bo a surplus. They expected to get £OOO a year from the hall, and about £4OO from the other parts. This would givo them 8 per cent, interest on their expenditure, leaving the Chamber ample accommodation for themselves, with every convenience. The committeo had therefore brought the whole matter before tho Chamber for their consideration. He [Mr Duncan] felt sure that tho erection of the whole block of buildings would be a payable speculation, and it was now for the Chamber to decide whether they would do tho front portion only, or go into the whole building. Mr Turner thought that this wa3 too important a matter to be decided at such a small meeting. He would suggest that it bo allowed to stand over after hearing tho explanation of the president, until the general meeting. Mr Inglis was in favour of tho postponement, and he would like to havo laid before them a somewhat more specific and detailed account of the profits to be derived. He would like to see the matter stand over. Hon. J. T. Peacock, Messrs Hassal and Nathan spoke in favour of postponing the matter. Ultimately, it was rejolved that tho matter bo left over until the next annual meeting. CABLE CONFERENCE. Mr Hassal said that, before closing, ho should like to call tho attention of the Chamber to the report of the Cable Conference in Australia. From the rcsumd of the result in the Press that morning, ho saw that the result was not at all advantageous to New Zealand. He further eaw that New Zealand was not represented thereat, only by expressing their views in tho shape of a letter. It appoared to him that in this, as in the matter of the Paris Exhibition, the Government had not done what they should have done. It was, he need not point out, of great importance that New Zealand should havo been represented at tho cablo conference, and perhaps it was owing to that fact that they had not reaped any advantage therefrom. He thought it as well to lot the Government see that the Chamber noticed these matters. The Chairman—Do you move any resolution on the subject, Mr Hass d P Mr Hassal—No, it is too late to do that. I merely desired to cill the attention of tho Chamber, as representing the mercantile community, to the fact. Tho meeting then terminated.