OVERSEA FREIGHTS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1929, Page 7

OVERSEA FREIGHTS

SO IJTIT CA NT KH I3 UHY ’S PROTEST. TIMARU, Eol>. 22. At a special con to re i ice called by the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce to-day, at which representativeof nil the boroughs, county councils and public bodies throughout the district were present, flic question ol the proposal to abolish the flat rate system of freight on exports overseas was fully considered, and the billowing resolution was carried unanimously:— “That this meeting representative of the district of South Canterbury, emphatically protests against la* proposal for the abolition of the system of flat rate freight on exports from all the ports of the Dominion: that copies of the report of the meeting and of this resolution he sent to the executive of the Associated Shipowners Committee, and the Harbours Hoards and Chambers of Commerce at Invercargill, Oamaru, Grcymouth, Nelson Napier, Wauagiiui and New Plymouth and that, if the necessity arises later those bodies he urged to co-operate with the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce and the Tiinaru Harbour Hoard in a united effort to have the existing system retained.

N.Z. MERCHANTS CONFERENCE

DUNEDTN, Feb. 22

On Wednesday and Thursday of thb week delegates representing the wholesale general merchants of the Dominion met in Dunedin to take part in their annual conference. The conference attracted the most representative gathering of merchants that lias ever assembled in the Pomnion. Delegates were present from Auckland, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Hamilton, Wanganui, Hnworn, Napier Hastings, Palmerston North, Wellington Blenheim, Nelson, •Grcymouth Westport, Hokitika. Christchurch, Timarti Oamaru, Duedin and Invercargill. Many matters of importance, to the wholesale trade were under consideration, while several matters of interest to traders generally were brought under notice.

Attention was directed to the continuation of the measure introduced during the War whereby the stamp duty 7 on claques and receipts was increased in each insancc from Id to 2d. Tt was understood that this increased in each instance from Id to elusion of the war, and it was particularly emphasised that this increase was a tax imposed on one section of the taxpayers, that is the trading community. It was resolved to make strong representations to the Government that the time had long passed when a reversion to the old rate should ho giving effect to.

Attention was directed to the continuance of tlio out of date practice of the Customs Departmcn which inquired tliat all tobacco and cigarette packages be stamped before bein'oassed by tlio Customs. There was r concensus of opinion that this system lmd outlived its usefulness and representations are to he made fo tlic Department that merchants should he relieved of this economic: waste.

Tlio matter of taxation came nmlor notice, particular attention being directed to the amendment to the Income Tax Act passed in 1927, which resulted in an increase in the inconi" tax on one section of the communitv approximating in many instances 109 per cent. The Conference decidei strong representation should bp'made to the Government that what was termed class taxation he review of] when the next Parliament meets. An expression of appreciation "as recorded at the recent announcement of the Prime Minister that, in his opinion the time had arrived when the Government should give the business people more encouragement to develop their businesses, and that the Governmont should abstain from that inteifore nee- which had characterised the political activity in recent years. Very great regret was expressed at the news of the death of tile Cine Chief Justice, Sir C. P. Skcrrett. and the Conference passed a resolution o deep sympathy with the relatives of deceased and placed on record it> sense of the loss to the country in the death of such a distinguished c.t.zen.