CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16487, 28 February 1914, Page 17

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

QUARTERLY MEETING. Tlie quarterly meeting of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday, the president (Mr E. G. Staveley) being in the chair. There was a small attendance. Mr J. H. Estell, representative of the Port of London Authority, addressed tho Chamber on tho question of London and other ports ns a terminus for the frozen products of the dominion. PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS.

Following tho custom, the president delivered an address dealing with matters of more or less vital moment to tho business community. The clause dealing with expenses in connection with strikes, the president stated, which it was proposed by tho International Shipping Federation to insert in bills of lading, had been the subject of correspondence forwarded by the New Zealand Marine Underwriters’ Association, and it had been decided to protest against the proposal, on the grounds that, though shippers or consignees were not ordinarily parties to a dispute, and had no control over its settlement, half of the expenditure which the shipowner might incur would bo thrown upon their shoulders, and that expenditure would not be recoverable under a marine policy.,. -Vv; SOUTH EXPRESS MAILS.

The Chief Postmaster had been waited upon with the object of obtaining, if possible, the closing of the mails by tho south express at 11.15 a.m. instead of eleven o’clock as at present. Tho Postmaster, while willing to meet the public in the matter' if possible, was unable to do so. It was not possible to shorten tho time between tho closing of. the mails and tho departure of tho train. A suggestion had been made that a motor-car should bo employed to carry the mails to tho railway station, but it was, understood that the contract for horse cartage was still in force. THE RAILWAY SHEDS.

The Collector of Customs had been waited on with reference to tho blociv at the railway sheds caused by tho goods having to wait for the Customs examination. Tho Collector had stated that the Department was short-hand-ed, but that he was doing his best to cope with the difficulty. In connection. with the matter, a committee had been appointed to interview the General Manager of Railways on his next visit to Christchurcn WEIGHT OF MANURE. A letter had been received from Mr A. H. Hasell, Melbourne, asking if, in view of tho strike, tho agreement entered into that bags were not to exceed 1401 bin weight, and were to have two lugs, was still in force. He contended that the cost to tho farmer would thereby be increased. A reply had been sent stating that the resolution adopted at the Conference referred only to sunerpliosphates and basic slag Potash and other manures wore net included. The resolution had not been embodied in any agreement. The farmers in tho North Island preforrei the 1401 b bags, and were fully aware of the facts regarding the extra cost. AGRICULTURAL RETURNS.

A meeting of •delegates from the Millers’ Association and' Frcdn.ce Sectional Committees had been held, and it had decided to recommend the Chambers of Commerce in Canterbury and p'tago to suggest to the Minister of Agriculture that all farmers should bo supplied by post with simply designed forms to bo sent in cn or before October 15 in each year, showing the area, of each holding in crop on September 30 and what quantity was required for the growers’ own requirements. The su<?<restion had been made to the Minister of Agriculture.

TELEGRAPH FORMS

The unsatisfactory manner in which telegrams opened when unsemed had been referred to the superintendent of telegraphs and a reply had been received to the effect that the head office had decided to take steps to improve the folding of the form. A suggestion that the width of the form should be reduced to eight inches to conform with the standard sire of stationery had been referred to the superintendent of tclegranhs. TRADE WITH BRISTOL.,

The Bristol Chamber ef Commerce had advised that Messrs H. L. Riselcy and Manning Lewis were about to visit New Zealand in the interests of-trade with Bristol, and those gentlemen would be shown every attention possible during their visit. PANAMA EXPOSITION.

The Department of Commerce had written stating that the Government proposed to expend a sum of money on the representation of the dominion in tlie matter of primary products and manufactures at the Panama Exhibition, and inviting tho president to act on tho central committee for Now Zealand. The invitation had been accepted. ‘‘ In company with Messrs John Grigg and J. B. Laurenson,” the president added, “ I have just returned from that conference which was presided over by tho Right Hon the Prime Minister, and attended by delegates from many parts

of the dominion. They were unanimous in approving and supporting the project of tho Government, recognising the important of New Zealand products and manufactures being fully represented. Shortly a meeting of all interested will be called under the auspices of this Chamber, the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and the Industrial Association-, to set up a Canterbury committee to further the object. I will just state here that the costs of transport and exhibiting will not fall upon exhibitors, who will only be asked to furnish their goods, either for exhibition or competition.” CUSTOMS REGULATIONS. A resolution had been received from the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce protesting against the new regulation requiring importers to leavo a clear line between each item in entries for tho purpose of filling in the place of manufacture of goods, instead of inserting the word “British” or “ Foreign.” The Importers’ Sectional Committee had considered tho matter and .supported the protest of the Dunedin Chamber. Tho report that after April declarations could only be made before a Customs officer or a solicitor, instead of at present before a postmaster, bad been referred to the secretary of Customs, and ho had been asked that the present arrangement be adhered to. INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

At the last quarterly meeting the country was in the midst'of a troublous time owing to the strike of the waterside workers. Shortly after the dispute was happily brought to an end and since then work at the port had proceeded without interruption. The dislocation of trade then had not been without compensating advantage, as it proved that* the producers and mercantile community when threatened with a stoppage of business which vitally affected them were prepared to take any reasonable measures to ensure that their interests would be fully protected. Tlio Chamber of Commerce, Perth, \V.A., had asked for information regarding the working of tho New Zealand Labour laws. A full reply had been sent giving the history of the movement, and its effect upon the various industries and the relations between employers and employed. Ho‘had noticed, in this connection, that tho famous Ford Motor Company was establishing a system of. profit sharing with its employees. .This practice was undoubtedly making headway throughout tho world, and in his opiiqion offered the most Icasible and probable method of improving tho relationship between employers and employed. FROZEN MEAT TRADE. No doubt members would have observed references in the newspapers to the probable, if not actual, operations of the American Meat Trust in Australasia. An observant and keen critic of affairs generally, the Hon Sir Gcorgo Reid, High Commissioner for Australia, had lately drawn pointed attention to this, and had uttered frequent warnings to those concerned in stock-raising and export as to the ultimate effect upon their interests if the permitted to gain a hold upon this allimportant trade. He could only sound a note of warning to the sheepfarmers of Canterbury. They would naturally sell to the best advantage, irrespective of whom the buyer might be. RAILWAY TRAFFIC.

For many years tha Chamber had urged upon the authorities the necessity for improvement in 'various directions regarding both goods and passenger carrying, sorting of baggage, and other matters. Ho was pleased to say that Mr E. H. Hi ley, the newlv-ap-peinted General Manager, had consented to meet the Chamber at au early date and discuss the varkms points that members desired to bring under his notice. Ho was hopeful that they would be ablo to show Mr Hiley that the requests wore reasonable, and if granted would make for a more efficient working' of the railway service, and certainly • for greatly improved methods for the users of the railways. TOWN HALL.

It was generally admitted that a town hall was one of the city’s most urgent needs, but he regretted to observe that there was a proposal, which he understood had the support of the Mayor, to erect one in Victoria Square. As an. old resident of this beautiful city ho ventured to protest against this, and hoped that a suitable site ‘would bo acquired without disturbing any of the valued and cherished beauty spots. In this he hoped to have tho concurrence of the members. GENERAL.

He had to acknowledge receipt of an excellent illustrated booklet on che subject of Canterbury’s progress issued by the Lyttelton Harbour Board and compiled "by their engineer and secretary, Mr Cyrus' Williams. He advised members to obtain copies and distribute them to their friends in other parts. He had lately had proof that tho Canal League was not discontinuing its efforts, by receiving a very comprehensive and informative circular from its chairman, Mr Charles Allison, who, he felt sure, will be pleased to supply copies to members interested in this project.

It was pleasing to bo able to state that trade generally was good'. They had experienced a bountiful harvest and a good wool clip. The former had been to some extent, though not materially, damaged by the weather ; the latter had met a brisk local market, with increased buying power, and consequent competition. Values for all produce were at a payable level, and appeared likely to continue at prices satisfactory to tho producer. The stringency in the money market was now "easing, and the recent successful issfio of the latest New Zealand Iran in London was proof, if any were needed, of the estoem in which this small but sound dominion was held by the British investor.

By invitation ho had attended a deputation from the Stock Exchange which waited on tho Postmaster-Gene-ral to ask that improved telephonic communication should be established with Dunedin, and the Minister had promised to have an amount placed on the Estimates for next year. Messrs M. J. Dixon, George Fleetwood and Arthur S. Leigh were eleoted members of the Chamber.