CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1634, 16 May 1879, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The quarterly general meeting of the Chamber was hold yesterday at 3 p.m. Present—Messrs. G Hart, G. CL Stead, T. M. Hassal, L. E. Nathan, J. Ballantyne, C. B. Taylor, J. Booth, H. Thomson, D. Caro, L, Caro, Cooper, J. J. Fletcher, \Y. Strange, J. D. Macpherson, D. Moares, W. Pratt, J. Anderson, F. E. Graham, J. Connal, Louisson, McDougal, and Hon. J. T. Peacock. Mr G. G. Stead, vice-president, occupied the chair. APOLOGIES. Apologies for non-attendance were received from Messrs, P. Cunningham and 0. W. Turner. chairman’s statement. The Chairman said the committee had met regularly since the last quarterly meeting, and a sub-committee had also been appointed to aid the Royal Commission of the Sydney Exhibition in collecting exhibits, and he thought that Canterbury would be properly represented, Some short time ago, as members would recolloct, a special meeting of the Chamber bad been hold to confer with the city members relative to the site of the railway workshops at Addington. A resolution which had been passed at that meeting was forwarded to the Government. They had since received a reply acknowledging the receipt of the resolution, and stating that the matter would receive the consideration of the Government. Ho must say ho was somewhat surprised at such reply being sent, as all the Chamber had done in the matter was to express their approval of the action of the Minislor, and a hope that in all cases of the establishment of workshops the interests of the general public, and not those of any particular locality, would be consulted. The answer received from the Government was a merely formal one, and from its tenor led him to believe that the resolution had never been read at all; at any rate, no very great attention could have been paid to its purport. There was another question to which he would like to refer, and it was one of the greatest possible importance, both to Australia and Now Zealand. Ho referred to the export of wool to China. Members would, no doubt, recollect that this subject had been before the Chamber some time back, when Mr Monckton Synnot had requested their co-operation in endeavoring to establish a trade in wool and woollen manufactures with China. Since then, unfortunately, Mr Synnot had died, and the whole matter came to a standstill. Looking at the depressed state of the wool market in London, the low price obtainable, and the general depression in trade which appeared to exist almost everywhere, it was a matter of vital importance, both to the wool growers of Australia and New Zealand, to take steps to get their wool and woollen manufactures Introduced into China. China, it must be remembered, offered the largest number in the world, and if they could open it as proposed, it would effect a complete revolution in the wool trade. He was reminded by the secretary that he had sent out some 200 circulars to wool growers respecting this scheme of trying to open the China market, but without any appreciable practical results. He trusted that the woolgrowers bore would bestir themselves in the matter, so that some steps might be taken to open, if possible, the vast market in China for their wool. In making these remarks ho had desired to bring the matter prominently under the notice of the members of the Chamber and the public, so that an mportant: matter, as this undoubtedly was, should not bo passed over, Mr T. M. Hassal thought the remarks made by the chairman, if allowed to go forth to the public without some explanation, would probably convey an erroneous impression as to the action taken by the woolgrowers here in response to the circular addressed to them by Mr Bird, to which the chairman had referred. Many had responded, and the actual position was this, that the woolgrowers had asked the Chamber for further directions as to what steps it was deemed necessary they should take with a view of opening up a market for their wool in China The Chamber, in view of the present depression, and also the death of Mr Monckton Synnot, had deemed it advisable to hold its hand in the matter. Consequently, it had remained in abeyance. He might mention that he had noticed in the loading article of the “Globe ” newspaper of the previous evening that there was a chance of woollen manufactures being carried on in China. So far as the wool growers hero were concerned, he felt certain they would be glad to aid in any steps it might be deemed necessary to take in the matter ; but the fact was they did not know what to do. They had really but little information on the subject before them. Perhaps their secretary could tell them what had been done. Mr Bird said he had sent out two hundred circulars with reference to Mr Synnot’s proposal, but had received only seven replies. Mr Hassal—That was all you received in writing, but you wore spoken to by a number of persons on the matter, I believe. Mr Bird —Yes; the samples asked for by Mr Synnot were procured and were in the adjoining room, so that members could see how many responses had been made to his request. Ho had received several sums of money —notably £lO from Mr George Gould —in aid of the scheme, which he had remitted to Synnot.

Mr Nathan would like to ask if the committee had made any arrangement for the forwarding of the samples. Samples had been received in response to the letter of the secretary, but had not some arrangements been made to send them on.

Mr Bird said that Mr Synnot having died, he did not know what to do with the samples. Hon. J. T. Peacock thought they had begun at the wrong end. They should get all the information they could relative to the demand for wool in China. It was useless sending over such a consignment as samples. What they wanted to know was, whether there was a market for the bulk of wool. If this were found out the wool growers would only be too glad to take advantage of it. The Chairman said that there was at present no market for wool in China, but what Mr Synnot desired was to educate the Chinese to use woollen goods. Now, the Chinese were a most conservative nation, and to get them to use woollen fabrics was a work of time. Ho understood that there was a high Chinese official who intended to erect a factory, so that it was probable that the Chinese would soon take to wearing woollen fabrics instead of cotton. Mr Hassall said that the committee had rather looked towards Japan than China. It would be remembered that some time back commissioners from Japan visited Melbourne to enquire whether sheep and wool could be introduced into Japan, It was'decided that the introduction of sheep could not bo carried out successfully, but !that of wool could, and that the Japanese Government would give every assistance towards this being done. He thought that what the committee should now do was to consider the subject again, and see if they could obtain any further information on the subject. They would then be in a position to go to the wool growers and ask them to aid the chamber in furthering the introduction of wool and woollen fabrics into China and Japan, He begged to move “ That the 'committee bo requested to make further enquiries as to the possibility of the successful introduction of wool, woollen yarns, and manufactured woollen goods into China and Japan.” Hon. J. T. Peaco&k seconded the motion, which was agreed to. COMMERCIAL TELEGRAMS. Mr I). Caro —I would desire to call the attention of the Chamber to a matter which I think is of the greatest possible interest., not alone to commercial men generally, but also to the public. While in Dunedin some few weeks back I saw a commercial telegram which had been sent from hero to one of the Dunedin papers —I think the “ Morning Herald,” 1 have not the telegram here, but

it stated in effect that all Canterbury was in a state of smash up, that several large commercial houses were falling, and would drag others with them. This intelligence I can assure you created quite an excitement in Dunedin. I think that oven supposing things wore in the sad state represented by the telegram, that it is exceedingly undesirable that it should bo sent throughout the length and breadth of the colony, with the effect of intensifying the disaster. Such a statement would have the effect 'of creating almost a panic, and I certainly think there should be some means of supervising telegrams of a commercial nature. I can toll you what did happen in connection with the very one I have referred to. A representative of a Melbourne house who was under orders to proceed to Christchurch cut out the telegram and sent it to his principals, saying, “You have ordered me to Christchurch. If this is the case, what am I to expect?” Some one I think should be responsible for these telegrams, and the expression of opinion made use of in public bars or anywhere else should not be telegraphed as facts. I think that the Chamber should express their views on the subject, as I take it as being one of the greatest possible importance, I deemed it so much so that at the risk of being deemed presumptuous as a very young member of the Chamber I have brought it forward. The Chairman—l may say that I had a telegram cut from one of the Dunedin papers sent to me, which stated that one of the largest houses in Christchurch was likely to fall, and would bring down a number of others with it, I also received a telegram from Dunedin asking me if it was true, and if so, what house was referred to. It is very likely that the telegram cut from the Dunedin paper is the one referred to by Mr Caro. Mr Hassal—Can Mr Caro say positively in what paper the telegram he refers to was published ? Mr Caro—l think it was in the Dunedin “Morning Herald,” somewhere about the 25 th April. A search was here made through the files of the paper in the Chamber for the telegram spoken of by Mr Caro, but without success. Mr Hassal—l think, sir, that Mr Caro’s object will be attained by his having brought the matter before the Chamber, and publicity being given to the statement he has just made. I cannot imagine for one moment that any telegraphic agent would send such a telegram with a view to damage the commercial credit of Christchurch, or that of any house engaged in business here. It is undoubtedly highly necessary that the utmost care should be exercised in sending such telegrams, which spread all over New Zealand. If commercial travellers from Australia see such telegrams and send them to their firms, the result might bo most disastrous to the credit of the colony at largo. I think if the attention of the manager of the Telegraphic Agency is drawn to this matter, and every publicity given to this discussion, the end sought for by Mr Caro in bringing the subject before the Chamber will be attained.

The Chairman— Perhaps that would be the best way, and better than a formal resolution of the Chamber. I am happy to say that during these troublous times not a house, firm, or farmer which was known to be strong has succumbed to the times, and I hope they never will. [Hear, hoar.] I trust that the reporters will make this statement as public as the telegram to which reference has boon made.

Hon. J. T. Peacock—Do I understand that the Chamber intend to address the agent of the telegraph companies, or will the publicity given by the reporters to the discussion be deemed sufficient ? I think this, that if telegrams go abroad care should be taken to see that they are true, because the time will come when, if they are true, they will not bo believed.

The Chairman —Will any gentleman move a resolution that we communicate with the chief of the telegraphic agencies ? I may say that I have had letters from Dunedin saying that telegrams such as these have created quite a panic in Dunedin. Mr H. Thomson—l may say that lam glad that this matter has been brought before the Chamber by Mr Caro, as it is one of very great importance, and it is only right that publicity should be given to the denial of the truth of it. I think, however, that it would be as well to have some expression of opinion on the matter from the Chamber. Perhaps the best method of doing this would be for us to communicate with the heads of the telegraphic agencies on the subject. Mr D. Meares—l think, sir, that if the statement made by the chairman, that not a house, firm, or farmer known to be strong has succumbed to the pressure of the times, were telegraphed and equal publicity given to it with the telegram which has been spoken of to-day, our object will bo attained. Such a statement, made on the authority of the chairman of a meeting of the Chamber, will have considerable weight.

The Chairman—Mr Caro has, I believe, drafted a resolution on the subject, but I agree with Mr Meares that we shall attain our end by the publicity which will be given to the discussion to-day and the statement which I have made. I hope therefore that Mr Caro will withdraw his resolution. Mr Caro—l have no objection at all to do that. All I wished was to bring the subject under the notice of the Chamber. The matter thou dropped, ard the meeting adjourned.