CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22987, 16 September 1936, Page 12

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MONTHLY MEETING OF COUNCIL The monthly meeting of the Council of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce was held last night and was attended by Messrs Newman R. Wilson (president), M. Stewart. J. S. Skinner, R. Armit, W. J. M'lnnes, F. V. Drake, J. A. Cameron, A. H, Allen, S. L. Laing, H. L-. Gibson, E. J. Taylor, J. C. Anderson, J. Elvidge, W. D. G. Hartley, W. H. Naylor, P. N. Rundle, H. L. Longbottom. C. L. Calvert, and H. F. Larsen. VACANCY ON COUNCIL The resignation of Mr G. S. Kirby from the council was accepted, and Mr C. L. Calvert was elected to the vacancy. Mr E. H. Calder was elected to the council as the representative of the Farmers' Union. COMMITTEES • The following committees were appointed:— Exports.—Messrs I. S. Cantrell (convener), J. C. Anderson, H. L. Longbottom, E. H. Calder, J. A. Cameron. Imports.-*Messrs E. T. Seymour (convener), J. H. Duncin, J. Elvidge, H. A. Newall, I. H. Penrose, P. N. Rundle, J. M. Barnett, E. J. Taylor. Local Industries.—Messrs H. L. Longbottom (convener), A. W. Jeavons, S. L. Laing, W. H. Naylor, E. T. Seymour, R. Armit, J. M. Barnett, H. F. Larsen. Primarv Industries.—Messrs W. B. Cunningham (convener), J. C. Anderson, J. B. M'Kinlay, E. H. Calder, J. A. Cameron. Vigilance and Bills.—Messrs C. L. Calvert (convener), I. S. Cantrell, W. D. G. Hartley, A. W. Jeavons, F. V. Drake, W. J. M'lnnes, N. R. M'lsaac. Membership and Entertainment.— Messrs T. Somerville (convener), C. L. Calvert, J. Elvidge, H. A. Newall, P. N. Rundle, R. Armit, F. V. Drake. Transport. Tourist, and Publicity.— Messrs M. Stewart (convener). W. B. Cunningham, J. H. Duncan, I. H. Penrose. T. Somerville, W. J. M'lnnes, H. L. Gibson, H. F. Larsen. Finance.—The president, vice-presi-dent, and immediate past president. EXECUTIVE'S REPORT The executive reported as follows: Land Tax.—The Government's proposals in regard to the re-introduction of the land tax were discussed, and in view of the statement that the tax would not be amended this year it was decided to hold further consideration over for six months, when further steps could be taken. Annual Conference of New Zealand Chambers of Commerce. —The conference will be held in Wellington on November 20, and will be for one day only. Representative on Vocational Guidance Association.—Mr J. R. Fairbairn has been appointed as the chamber's representative on the association, and has agreed to act for a further term. Establishment of Joinery Factories by Government.—The matter of the establishment by the Government of joinery factories in Auckland and Wellington respectively to supply joinery work for houses under the Government scheme was discussed by the executive. A question was raised whether the work could not have been done by private enterprise, and members desired to know how the plant was to be disposed of when the work is completed. Information is being sought as to the attitude of other chambers as this chamber will support any protest that is made. "There are anomalies in the incidence of the land tax amounting to injustice," said the chairman, "but apparently nothing can be done in the meantime." The report was adopted. PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN Mr Stewart, reporting on the scheme recently inaugurated for the purpose of securing publicity for Otago and Southland, stated that the preparation of illustrated booklets was in progress. These, as well as appropriate posters, would be distributed throughout New Zealand and the Australian States. The campaign would coincide with the period during which the Marama would be on the Melbourne-South Island run, and on each trip she would call at Milford Sound. AIR SERVICES

Mr Stewart said that the chief postmaster advised that the air mail was growing steadily in favour. The number of letters carried from and to Dunedin showed a satisfactory increase, and it was noticed that the general public was finding the air.mail an advantage, as the increase was not by any means confined to business correspondence. Increased use. was also being made of the recently inaugurated air parcel post. Mr Stewart added that it was also satisfactory that passenger traffic to and from Dunedin was increasing. He was sure that the air'service had come to stay, and would make good progress. Members would have noticed that the City Council had passed a resolution urging the Government to expedite the construction of an emergency landing ground at Waikouaiti. It seemed that the ground was essential, and he would move that the chamber support the council in its request. The motion was seconded by Mr Skinner, who said that at present the planes were required to return to Timaru if a fog bank were encountered, and this negatived the utility of both the mail and passenger services. If there were a landing ground at Waikouaiti there would be little delay in bringing passengers and mails to Dunedin, as 20. minutes was already required to bring them from the Taieri. The motion was carried. CHAIN STORES

The secretary reported that the special committee of the chamber had met to consider the question of chain stores. Subsequently a letter had been sent to the Associated Chambers stating that the Dunedin Chamber was naturally opposed to Government interference in business or to penalising legitimate traders. A request had been made that the chamber be kept in touch with the position. FREIGHT RATES

Advice was received from the Associated Chambers that it had made arrangements for the Australian and New Zealand Merchants' Association (London) to represent it in discussions at Home for the purpose of securing reductions in the existing freight rates between the United Kingdom and New Zealand.