CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4459, 5 July 1875, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

A meetings of the Chamber was held on Thursday, June 10, at the offices of Messrs. Bethune and Hunter, Mr. W. H. Levin in the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting having been confirmed, The Chairman reported that the amount to the credit of the Chamber at the bank was £236 18s. 6d., of which he had lodged £2OO as a fixed deposit at 6 per cent. The subcommittee appointed to select premises for the Chamber had not yet been successful, although they had in view rooms which he thought would suit their requirements admirably. The deputation appointed to wait upon the Minister for Public Works held an interview with that gentleman on 6th May,- and received a great amount of information upon the subject, which formed the object of their mission. There were two gentlemen’s names down for election as members, viz., Mr. J. T. Hirst, Kaiwarra, and the Manager of the National Bank of New Zealand, whose name had only been received that day, and could not, therefore, be proposed at that meeting. Those were the only matters of detail upon which he had to report, but there were two important subjects upon which the Chamber would be asked to express its opinion, viz., a letter from the Brisbane Chamber of Commerce, and another from his Honor the Superintendent, with reference to the Philadelphia Exhibition. INTERCOLONIAL EEIPROCITY. Mr. Geo. Harris, Chairman of the Brisbane Chamber of Commerce, desired to be informed of the views of the Chamber as to the conference referred to in the appended resolution, and asked the Chamber to name a place of meeting which would prove most central and convenient to the delegates should the Chamber deem fit to be represented. The following is the resolution adopted by the Brisbane Chamber, on March 3 : “ That the Chamber fears that no practical benefit will result from deliberations carried on in a few isolated Chambers of Commerce, but believes that substantial advantage would accrue from a conference whereat the whole of the Chambers of Commerce of Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand would be represented. At such a conference the questions of a Customs Union, uniform tariff, and intercolonial free trade could be fully discussed, and the recommendations of such an assembly would doubtless have due weight with the Legislatures of the various colonies.” The Chairman said the letter had been considered by a sub-committee specially appointed to consider the matter, who reported to the effect that at present they did not see that any practical good would result from the holding of such a conference, and that, therefore, they could not recommend the Chamber to take any. action in respect to it.

Mr. Hunter stated that the sub-committee to .whom,the matter was referred discussed the subject in all its. aspects, and finally concluded to make no recommendation upon the matter. He would, therefore, move -that the report of the committee be adopted, and that the result be communicated to the Chairman of the Brisbane Chamber of Commerce. Mr. E. W. Mills seconded the motion.

Mr. E. Pearce thought it right to call the attention of the Chamber to the fact that the report brought up did not touch upon the question of reciprocity at all. It merely made the bare statement that it did not think any good would result from the proposal to hold a conference, but the question whether reciprocity was good in itself was, he thought, one which the Chamber might very well discuss, though he. was himself opposed to it as being contrary to the principles of free trade. Of course, the Imperial Government would have to be consulted whatever decision they might arrive at. Sir. Woodward . said the question of reciprocity was no doubt incidentally introduced, for the resolution enclosed related pointedly to that subject, still it was not the subject the committee had to discuss. They were asked to give an answer as to whether the Chamber should be represented at the conference, and they answered in the negative because they believed no practical result would follow. Mr. J. H. Wallace thought it would have been better had the committee given some reason for their decision, because the report as it stood was hardly courteous. The Chairman said the committee did not enter into explanations for the reason that the subject was one which once opened tip was not easily closed. So far as their individual feelings went they were absolutely opposed to the adoption of any reciprocity treaty between the colonies, their opinion being that free trade was the end they should strive to attain. The report of the committee, to his mind, gave a precise answer to the request from the Brisbane Chamber. Mr. Dransfield said that, if his memory served him, this subject had engaged the attention of the Colonial and Imperial Governments, and had been strongly opposed by the latter. It was, therefore, unadvisablo that the Chamber should deal with subjects which had been decided by much higher powers. Mr. HART) -without expressing .any opinion upon the subject matter of the resolution, did not agree with the remark that because the Government had failed to bring about a certain result therefore they should altogether abstain from action. It was only by the gross of opinion expressed in this manner-, outside of governments, that governments were properly acted upon and ultimately induced to take action. He thought that if the measure itself were a beneficial one the discussion of it outside, and the suggestion of modifications which might be made in carrying it into effect, might have a strong influence upon the Colonial Government, and even upon the Imperial Government.

Mr. Pearce said that although the committee did not see their way to recommend an alteration in the tariff for the purpose of carrying out a reciprocity scheme, still there was a feeling that it would bo most desirable to encourage trade between the colonies. Eor instance, there was no interchange of products between New Zealand and Queensland, two countries which could exchange products with the greatest advantage to each other. We could supply them with flour and grain, and they could supply us with sugar and rum, and it would be mutually beneficial, therefore, to introduce a steam service between the two colonies. At the present time there was a lino running from Queensland to Singapore, thence to England, and the company might, for a comparatively small consideration bo induced to establish steam communication between Brisbane anclNewZealand. It was worth considering whether it would not bo advisable to pass a resolution upon that subject.

Mr. Duncan thought the subject, broached by Mr. Pearce a peculiarly appropriate one for the Chamber to discuss, but practically the committee could not come to any other conclusion than that contained in their report. The subject of reciprocity was a very difficult one to deal with, the Imperial Parliament having laid down certain regulations which it was impossible for the colonies to contravene. Mr. Hunter said.that stripped of all its artificial arguments the question was simply one of protection as oppossd to free trade. Mr. Pearcehadrcferred to the articles to be imported from Queensland, but he did not see that they were likely to benefit by such an interchange, for they would have to pay the same duty upon articles from-Queensland as they would from elsewhere. It would be remembered that about twelve montffs’ ago an attempt was made to a sugar refinery here, but it fell through because it was discovered that the Government would allow no drawback on the raw article, and the same objection would apply to rum, particularly as the Government had only recently bought up the colonial distilleries and destroyed their monopoly on the ground that they were interfering with the revenue. The Imperial Government had told them that if they admitted Australian wines at a lower duty than Prench ■or other wines foreign Governments would retaliate by putting a duty on wool coming from New Zealand. Then, again, there was another view to take of the matter, and that was this—that they cordd only consume a certain quantity of goods, and if they were to promote a trade with Queensland they would Only reduce then- trade with some other country. It was on these grounds that he opposed the proposal to take part in the conference, and. having refused he thought the best course was to give as few reasons as possible. The motion was put and carried. PHILADELPHIA EXHIBITION.

The Secretary read a letter from the Superintendent, enclosing a copy of a circular letter from the Colonial Secretary on the subject of the collection of a set of exhibits to be forwarded as representing the resources of . New Zealand at the proposed Philadelphia Exhibition of 1876, and requesting the Chamber" to state whether it would be willing to make any effort to carry out that object. Mr. Dransfield trusted tire Chamber would do its best to further an. object so desirable, and he should therefore move that the committee be authorised to co-operate -with his Honor the Superintendent in collecting exhibits of New Zealand productions for transmission to the proposed exhibition. The Hon. W. B. Rhodes Seconded the motion, which was carried. HONORARY MEMBERS. Messrs. Kelham and N. Levin were elected ■honorary members of the Chamber. HARBOR DUES. The Chairman, in calling attention to the excessive harbor, light, and pilotage dues, said that although public attention had been drawn to the subjectforsomemonthspasthedid not think the -ultimate result of a persistence in the present high charges was fully appreciated. His own opinion was that the fine harbor and other natural advantages of which they were in the habit of boasting, would be rendered of little avail in fostering trade if the dues were not lessened. He regarded it as a matter of duty to the city that they should try and get the present' scale of charges reduced ; in fact, he would go so far as to try to make Wellington a free port. In the course of the last few weeks he was waited upon by a leading merchant of Wanganui, who assured him that the importers of that town would be compelled, unless the charges were reduced, to use some other port in the colony as a port of transhipment, or have their goods sent to Melbourne and brought down in small vessels. He felt convinced this was no idle threat, but was a movement which would be carried out unless importers were offered the advantages they could get elsewhere. These remarks were also applicable to the wharf»charges. The present system, he was aware, must continue for nine months longer, but at the same time the Chamber should suggest to the powers that be that some reform was .necessary. In reference to the pilotage and- light dues, he held- in his hand a memorandum which spoke stronger than any words of his as to the extravagant charges imposed on vessels. In the case of the Hindostan the charges amounted to £124 7s. 2d., which he must characterise as disgraceful, though he disliked to use terms so harsh. Charges such as these brought the place into bad repute amongst shipowners, and must have the effect of diminishing the trade of the port. Only recently he read a jubilant article in a Sydney paper, which went on to show that in consequence of the -port charges being reduced to a minimum the trade of Sydney had reached double that of Melbourne. The policy pm-sued here was penny wise and pound foolish, and he would strongly recommend that some action should be taken to bring about a reduction. Captain Mclnty’BE considered that the charges could very well be reduced to half what they were a"t present, which would about place them on an equality with the chai-ges in other ports of the world. The shipping charges at Singapore, were at one time very high, but the time came when they were done away with . altogether, and then vessels from China and the Eastern ports made a point of calling, if it was merely to lay in a stock of fresh provisions. The people themselves agreed that it was the best step ever taken by the Government, and something of the land should bo done here. What he would suggest was, that the committee should draw up a tariff of port charges which would meet the views of the Chamber and those connected with the shipping interests. If a resolution to that effect were moved he would support it strongly. . Mr. HUNTER said a good deal could be urged upon both sides of this question, and it would be better before coming to any decision to investigate the matter further. The committee might bring up a report showing the charges in other parts of the world, and then they would have experience and contrast to guide them. From the knowledgejiepossessedheknew that some of the establishments referred to —the pilot station and the harbor-master’s department —did not cover cost, and if the pilotage and harbor dues were to be reduced, the diminished revenue would have to be obtained from some other source. As to the case of the .Hindostan, he supposed she got a good charter or she wouldn’t have accepted. Of course, they all looked at these questions from whatever view suited them best. He had heard of cargo being damaged when it was not damaged, and being broached when it was not broached, which simply showed that they all had a keen eye to their own interests. The question, however, should not be decided upon hastily or without full examination. At present there was no resolution before them, so that they were simply beating the air. The proper course was to procure information first, and then they would come to the consideration of the matter with then- minds prepared. To reduce the charges would be to diminish the provincial and corporation revenues, and that could scarcely be done unless revenue w r ere provided from some other source. Mr. Duncan regarded the question as one of the most important that covdd occupy the attention of the Chamber ; but before they approached a decision a committee should be appointed to gather information, as suggested by Mr. Hunter, and that information should bo put into such form as to attract the attention of the proper authorities. At the request of a gentleman largely interested in the shipping trade of the port, he wished to bring under the notice of the Chamber the absurdly insufficient wharf accommodation of the port. Captain Williams, at whose suggestion hemoved in the matter, had informed him that one of the inner TV might be lengthened at small expense, and in a manner that would afford greatly increased accommodation. Frequently of late steamers had been unable to obtain berths, and however gratifying this might be in ono aspect, it could not be regarded as creditable to the port. Ho hoped some steps would be taken in the matter before the wool season came round, else there would be as great a block aa there was last wool season. In the hope that something would be done, he would move, —“That the committee be requested to take the subject of the harbor and port dues generally into consideration,

1 with the view of obtaining information as to r the rates of similar charges in other ports, and 5 Whether a reduction of .such rates should be recommended ; also that the committee brin«- . miner the notice of the proper authorities the t necessity of increased wharf accommodation.” t Mr. Deanspield had much pleasure in t seconding the motion, because he thought there was a great deal of misunderstanding ■ in reference to these charges. If he were . correctly informed, these charges were made . according to laws laid down by the General I Government. At any rate, it was so with regard to pilotage and light dues. In endeavoring to get the defect remedied they should not go too far. They would do well enough if they made these departments seff-supporting. He was one of those who entirely approved of the charges being made as low as possible, but there was a great deal of nonsense talked about free ports. He had heard Sydney and Newcastle spoken of as free ports, but that was all a fallacy. The departments there were made self-supporting, and if they succeeded in dohw that here they would have done a good deal Increased wharf accommodation was certainly badly required, and he had hoped that hia Worship the Mayor would have moved in the matter earlier. He understood that gentleman, did intend to bring forward a scheme which would embrace greater wharf accommodation, but in the meantime nothing could he done, and if the Chamber did nothing more than call attention to the subject it would do a good service. The Chairman said the result he had aimed at had been accomplished. He did not see that,. as a preliminary, they could take any wiser step than that proposed; but at the same time he could not agree with Mr. Dransfield, that because the General Government imposed these duties they should not be complained of. Mr. Dransfield said he cordd not have expressed himself clearly if his words bore such an interpretation. The Chairman said that, thinking as he did that these charges were far- too high, it was their duty to try and get them reduced, aud the resolution proposed was, therefore, a wise one. " Mr. Bannatyne agreed that the charges were too high, and thought the time of the Chamber had been well spent in discussing' such a subject. Mr. Pearce said he would go much further than Mr. Dransfield, and advocate the complete abolition of all port dues, so as to make Wellington an absolutely free port, as St. Thomas . was made years ago. St. Thomas was an island without any natural trade of its own, hut the . Dutch Government created a trade there by putting no charge whatever upon shipping. Ships could come and go as they pleased, and that accounted for the large fleet of ships and steamers to be seen in its little harbor. The, trade of the place had become enormous simply through the absence of dues. The motion was carried.

GENERAL AVERAGES. Mr. Hunter, without making any motion on the subject, desired to call the attention of the Chamber to the following resolution, passed at a meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Underwriters’ Association on the 3rd March last :—“That in consequence' of the unsatisfactory character of some of the general average statements lately received from Melbourne and other ports, such as those by the Dallam Tower, Cambridgeshire, Lech Ard, and others, the members of this •association agree to address by the next mail their respective head offices and branches in the Australian aud New Zealand ports, urging upon them the necessity of taking some joint action to secure, by pressure of opinion on the average adjusters, the adoption of a system in making up general averages more equitable to the cargo, and more in accordance -with the custom of English Lloyds, which alone is binding on policies issued in London. And further, that they should prevent, as much as possible, the signing of average bonds by consignees, or at least take care that they are not committed . thereby to the payment of the average as adjusted by any particular person without right of question.” ! The Chairman then proceeded to consider certain proposed alteration in the rules, at the conclusion of which the proceedings terminated. . ,