CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5104, 2 August 1877, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

A general meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon at 3 o’clock ; Mr. Krull in the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, after which the following business was transacted;— BILLS OF SALE. The Chamber at a previous meeting passed a resolution in reference to bills of sale, as follows: —That in the opinion of this Chamber the following alteration in the law is desirable with respect to bills of sale given by traders over stock-in-trade;—That such a bill of sale should be absolutely void as against the claim of any creditor existing at the date of the bill of sale. That it should cease to have any force or effect at the expiration of twelve months from its date, unless registered. That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to other Chambers of Commerce, and their co-operation invited. . In accordance with that motion, the Secretary communicated with other Chambers of Commerce in the colony, and in due course received replies. In Dunedin the Chamber of Commerce passed resolutions favorable to the changes proposed by the Wellington Chamber, and expressing willingness to co-operate. The reply received from Christchurch was to the effect that the question had been brought before the Chamber and the consideration of it postponed. From Auckland a letter was received containing a resolution adopted by the Chamber there as follows : —That after due consideration of the resolution transmitted by the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, respecting bills of sale, this committee, while fully recognising the injustice of security being given by a bill of sale on property belonging to other creditors, is of opinion that the second part of the resolution would in effect prevent bills of sale being given, and, as the advisability of abolishing bills of sale is not the question, it does not support this part of the resolution; but the third portion, which recommends the annual registration of a bill of sale in order to maintain its legality, has this committee’s cordial support. The Chairman remarked that, inasmuch as the Chambers of Commerce throughout the colony were not unanimous, this Chamber could scarcely take any action in the matter, because it was very doubtful to his mind whether the Government, perceiving this absence of unanimity, would entertain any suggestions made to them by one body relative to an alteration in the existing law. Captain Mclntyre thought there could be no harm in submitting the resolution of the Chamber, and Mr. L. Levy contended that the Chamber might take action independently of other similar bodies in the colony. On the suggestion of Mr. Krull, the matter was referred back to the committee. DUTY ON GLASS. In reference to the above, the Secretary read a letter from Messrs. Phillips and Son, of Auckland, complaining of the excessive duty levied. He enclosed correspondence which had taken place on the subject between that firm and the Customs Department. It appeared that certain cases of colored sheet, enamelled sheet, and fluted sheet glass were detained by the Customs authorities in Auckland, and duty demanded by them at the rate of 10 per cent, ad valorem. Messrs. Phillips and Son protested against the imposition at the rate of Is. per 100 superficial feet, as the glass was in reality sheet glass, and there was ne other heading in the Tariff Act under which it could be legitimately classed. In reply to the protest thus entered by Messrs. Phillips and Son, Mr. Wm. Seed, of the Customs Department, wrote that it had already been decided by the Hon. the Commissioner, in the case of a similar protest from an importer at that port, that colored and other kinds

of fancy glass were to be charged, at the rate of 10 per cent., as glassware. The terms urown and sheet glass only app'y to the specific articles known by that name in commerce. Messrs. Phillips and Son laid the matter before the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, who passed a resolution to the effect that glass of the kind mentioned by Messrs. Phillips and Son could not, in the commercial acceptation of the word, be classed under the head of glassware. The Chairman, in asking for opinions from members of the Chamber, on the above subject, expressed his belief that the objection of Messrs. Phillips and Son was reasonable. Mr. Bannatyne was disposed to agree with the resolution passed by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, and suggested that this Chamber should express an opinion that it agreed with the action of the Auckland Chamber, He would propose that this Chamber is of opinion that colored, enamelled, and fluted sheet glass should be classed under the head of sheet glass, and pay the same duty. This was seconded by Mr. George, and carried. ABSCONDING DEBTORS. The question of affording to creditors additional protection, as against absconding debtors, was again brought under consideration, and the following letter was read : “ Wellington, 17th April. “We have the honor to draw the attention of the Chamber to the evils inflicted on the trading community by the (as it appears to us) insufficient protection afforded creditors as against absconding debtors. “We may instance the case of a tradesman of this place. On a very recent date this person having, unknown to any of the undersigned, disposed of his household furniture, did immediately proceed via Auckland for Sydney. We thereupon combined, and having obtained professional opinion, with a view if possible to the arrest in Auckland of the absconder, whose debts remained unpaid, were advised that action could only be taken by ordinary process of summons. It is no comfort to us to know we might take action in the New South Wales Courts. The debtor would probably immediately proceed to a neighboring colony ; and even if otherwise, he would take care there should appear to be no effects to satisfy judgment. “ The person referred to had been trading in Wellington for a few years, and had thereby obtained! credit from hia fellow - townsmen. There was no reason on our part to suppose he would act as above detailed.

“Some of us having suffered previously through similar cases, and we recognising the encouragement held out by such examples to unscrupulous debtors, and in the hope of closing the way of escape from just liabilities, respectfully solicit the aid of the Chamber towards attaining this end. “We therefore trust the Chamber will see fit to bring the whole subject before Government, or otherwise to take such action as may to the Chamber seem proper, with the object of obtaining legislation to the following effect, viz.: —l. That on due affidavit by two or more creditors or otherwise, as may be decided, an absconding debtor may be arrested at any port or place in New Zealand, under authority of a telegram from the proper authorities, and be thence remanded to answer to the charge of such creditors. 2. For the punishment of such absconder. 3. For the proper distribution of his assets.

“We would further respectfully suggest that measures might with advantage be taken by the Chamber to induce Government to negotiate with the neighboring colonies for similar summary arrests, and for interchange of absconding debtors. We request the favor of the Chamber’s reply, addressed to Mr. J. W. Thompson, Sydney-street. —We have, &c., D. Greig and Co., J. W. Thompson, John W. Stevenson, James Gear, William Tinnet.”

In reply to Mr. Tolhurst, the Secretary stated that he had, according to instructions, communicated with the other Chambers of Commerce on the subject; but no replies had yet been received. Mr. Tolhurst, being called upon as the original mover in the matter, said he had made inquiries of gentlemen of the legal profession, and ascertained that it would be very difficult to deal with the question without running a very serious risk of inflicting injustice' upon a class of persons who should not be arrested on cable messages. He did not see these difficulties himself, and he thought it quite possible that some amendment in the existing law on this point might be introduced with great benefit to society. He understood that there was a likelihood of the question of legal reforms engaging the attention of the House ; if so, it might be well for the Chamber to make some recommendation to the Government on the present subject. He mentioned the matter in this way, because there was very little probability of that Chamber inducing the Government tointroducelegislation on that point alone, forasmuohas there were so many other important subjects in connection with the operation of the laws that required attention. However, in the event of legal reform coming under consideration, suggestions from the Chamber might have a beneficial effect. Mr. Buchanan suggested that the matter should be referred back to the committee, with the recommendation that they should bring the matter before them, and ascertain if there was a possibility of legislation in that direction being introduced during the present session. Mr. Tolhurst pointed out that the Government of the colony had no power to deal with the question by themselves; they required the co-operation of the other colonies. It was, of course, a difficult process; but should New Zealand succeed in getting the co-operation of the sister colonies, he bad no doubt that the English Legislature would take the matter in hand also, and agree to utilise the cable for a similar purpose. Ultimately the following resolution was arrived at ;—That the subject be referred to the committee, with a view to their putting themselves into communication with the Government, after receiving replies from the other Chambers, with a view of taking action if they see a probability of obtaining the object desired. RE A HARBOR BOARD FOR WELLINGTON. Captain Williams moved, in accordance with notice given at the previous meeting,— That it is advisable in the commercial interests of Wellington that a Harbor Board should be appointed for the port, under a special Act, such Board to have vested in it the usual powers, and with authority to raise the means of maintaining all public wharves, and constructing new wharves from time to time as occasion may require. In briefly speaking to the motion, he alluded to the fact that the Government had prepared a general measure in relation to Harbor Boards for the colony, so that he would, without further words, leave the matter in the hands of the Chamber, and they could decide whether, under the circumstances, it was advisable to go into the matter further. The Chairman referred to the steps taken last year by the Chamber of Commerce and City Council as to the Harbor Board question, and mentioned that the position at present seemed rather unfavorable to the project, inasmuch as the City Council appeared to be undesirous of giving up the power they at present possessed to a new body. Mr. George regretted that Captain Williams, in bringing this motion forward, had not communicated to the meeting some particulars of the way in which he would carry out the proposal. Steps were taken last year in the matter, as the Chairman had said, and, no doubt, had the Chamber been able to carry out their views then, a Harbor Board might have been successfully established. In Dunedin and elsewhere the Harbor Boards had something to do ; but with Wellington the case was different, and he could not see the use of creating a new governing body to do nothing. Of course he knew that Captain Williams was exercised about the wharf, and possibly he might be right that the wharf was not well managed, but that rested with the City Council. He thought it would be placing the committee in a false position to refer the matter back to them. He would suggest that the motion be postponed. Captain Mclntyre seconded the motion pro forma, and remarked that the interests of a Harbor Board should be entirely distinct from tluse of a City Council. It was the business of the Harbor Board to facilitate the work of

shipping, also offer inducements for the attraction of°the shipping trade from other parts of the world, and study the interests of shippers generally. Nature had endowed VVellington with a good harbor, .and it was their duty to see that it was taken care of. The City Council were taking steps to reclaim a portion of the foreshore running out to a depth of 20ft. of water. They looked upon it simply 3-3 a matter of pounds, shillings, and pence, but* he regarded the subject from a higher standpoint, and submitted that the Council were doing a great injustice. The proposed reclamation would be at right angles with the prevailing winds, and the breastwork could not be made available for vessels either discharging or loading J ■in fact it would seriously interfere with the accommodation of the inner harbor. He would content himself with saying this much, although he might give other instances indicative of the fact that the Corporation were not acting in the best interests of Wellington in reference to these harbor works. The City Council had quite sufficient to do in looking after their property on terra firms, Every other part of the colony of any importance had its Harbor Board, but Wellington was unprovided in that respect, and the control of the harbor was left in the hands of a few City Councillors, who made it their aim to get as much money as possible—how it was expended being another matter entirely. There was certainly nothing to show that any of the money had been spent on the harbor.

Mr. Buchanan said it would be injudicious oh the part of the Chamber to pass a resolution of this sort in the face of an intimation from the Government that they would introduce a general measure generally affecting the subject under discussion. Mr. George moved that the motion be postponed for the present. Seconded by Mr. Buchanan arid carried. CHARGES ON KEROSENE.

Mr. Bannatyne referred to the excessive charges levied on kerosene for delivery and storage, which had been found by merchants to be a great hardship. He mentioned that it had been found of late that kerosene could be obtained from Sydney at a cheaper rate than merchants could sell it here. He moved that as the charges levied on kerosene for store rent, receiving, and delivery were excessive, and a great drawback to the successful importation of the article, representations be made to the Corporation ■with a view to their reduction. The meeting then adjourned.