CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2815, 26 February 1908, Page 37

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ANNUAL. MEETING. IMPORTANT SPEECHES. WELLINGTON, February 18. The annual meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce was held to-day. The report of th« council states that the total of the ■exports for the 12 months which closed on September 30 (an aggregate of nearly £20,000,000) exceeded the figures for the preceding year by £2,249,474, and topped the quota for the 1904-5 period by £4,310,136. These figures, it is stated, show an increase in quantity more or less substantial in the majority of lines, kauri gum, wheat^ and oats being the only exceptions. In the case of kauri gum the decrease in quantity is more than compensated for by higher prices, but in that of the cereals (wheat and oats) the exports have fallen off to quite insignificant proportions. The increase in value in the last year's exports is not traceable to wool alone, but i« contributed to by several of the more important lines of produce, including wool (with sheepskins), £883,000; frozen meat, nearly £600,000; butter and ?keese, over £390.000; tallow, £120,000; hemp, £120,000. As against these, there are some instances of falling off, notably in the case of grain and grain stuffs, which show an aggregate decrease of over £114,0d0 in the latest year. A careful investigation of the figures makes it apparent that fully two-thirds of the net increase for the year is due to enlarged output. The tables for exports, imports, Customs revenue, and shipping plainly show that the city is really entitled to the corporation's motto, " Suprema a situ." A few months ago Auckland claimed pre-emi-nence in the volume of shipping trade. Here is the simple truth. The official records discriminate between entries inwards and entries coastwise, and vessels from beyond New Zealand wa-t^rs, with cargo, it ina-y be, for several ports, are recorded as inwards at the first port of call only, and coastwise at other ports of discharge. The report mentions that this method may be regarded as correct from the point of view of the Dominion as a whole, but it fails to convey a true impression as regards the several' ports for purposes of comparison. In the subjoined table, therefore, the combined figures of the two classes are given, thus presenting a more correct comparative view of the trade of the several ports : — 1906.

Matters on which legislation was foreshadowed last session were bankruptcy law, secret commissions, and bank holidays. On the last of these topics suggestions were submitted to the Government by the council. In reference to the other two subjecte, committees of the chamber were formed, and more or less consideration was given to the matters in question, but ao it was found that the subjects would not be taken up by Parliament last session, definite action was hjld over till this year. It is desirable, adds the report, that these matters should receive early and careful consideration by the incoming council, and that strong efforts _ should be made to induce the other leading Chambers of Commerce of the Dominion to cooperate in framing recommendations to* the Government, so that the action of these bodies should not be nullified by the submission to Government of several independent eets of suggestions which may be inharmonious and even antagonistic one to Another. Satisfaction is expressed with the establishment of a regular and reliable I ■weekly service for the United Kingdom ftt a not -unreasonable cost to the country, i The council suggested to the Government ] a further addition to the mail arrangements of the Dominion, which it believee -would have been productive of beneficial results. The proposal was that subsidies should be paid to the companies running the regular traders between New Zealand and London, in consideration of a 35 days' service being maintained between London and the Dominion. The council believes that a regular service by boats capable of carrying out such a contract ■would have proved an attraction to tourists and emigrants, and a good advertisement for the Dominion. The suggestion, however, did not meet with the approval of the Government. The council again presented special prizes at each of the State echools to the pupils passing the best examinations in writing, arithmetic, and (Composition respectively. These prizes seem to be keenly appreciated, and there is good reason to hope that the action of •the chamber in th*s matter will have good results. The Chairman, Mr J. G. Harkness, in a lengthy address, referred to the gratifying increase in the Dominion's trade, the volume "showing an increase Qf over £5,500,000 for the year. He urged the necessity for more careful preparation and supervision in the maintenance of the quality of produce exported One prominent f&ature in connection with the export trade was that wool frozen meat, dairy produce, tallow, and hemp showed substantial increases in quantity. He regretted that grain had almost Vanished as an item in the export returns. The dairying industry showed steady development, and prices in London were abnormally high, but unfortunately the drought had considerably shortened supplies He urged the need for cool storage accommodation at Wellington for cheese, this port being behind others in that reopect The population of the Dominion was not increasing as it should, and judicious immigration was desirable. Mr Harkness urged the need for greater accommo dation at the port of Wellington, in view of th-j present increase of trade and the greater increase to be expected when the Main Trunk railway line is open for .through traffic. In regard to the new Customs tariff Mr Harkr.ess remarked: "When you carefully investigate- the returns and find that. out ofa -total export valued at £19,687,573 over £19,25G,000 is supplied by primary producers. N who also supplied consumers m the colony with produce to the value of £14,000.000, making a grand total of £33,250.000 wrung from the soil, one may be pardoned if he hesitates in a country 6uch as New Zealand and submits to himself for solution the problem, why should the many be penalised by heavy Customs duties for the benefit of the few?" On the question of na^al defence, the speaker advocated that the Dominion's contribution to the British navy should be maintained^ and if necessary increased. He

applauded Sir Joseph Ward's, suggestion at the Imperial Conference in favour of reduced cable charges. The membership of the chamber a.t present stood at 204-, but this ought to be increased to at least 300. Speaking in reference to the fuluic, Mr Ha.rkues.B said : " I am not desiroiis of taking a pessimistic view of possibilities ,which may eventuate, but so far as can be discerned there is no reason to believe that we shall have to face a decided slump in values. But indications arc not wanting- that the coming year will not exceed its predecessors in quantity or -\alue, and, in addition to lower prices, there may, of course, arise unforseen contingencies that will interfere with trade conditions in the Homeland, materially affecting the spending power of that class of the community that use perhaps a larger proportion of New Zealand exports. Evidences are not wanting that so far as the present year has gone we must anticipate a considerable shrinkage in value by the end— September 30, 1908." Mr G. Shirtcliffo, in speaking to the motion for the adoption of the report, argued that New Zealand was trading largely upon increased prices and not increased production of our primary products. The Dominion appeared to be living pretty well up to its income in respect of those increased prices. Mr D. J. Nathan said the country was calling out for population. The debt of the Dominion was increasing at a greater ratio than the population, and a strong immigration policy was required. The Government would be well advised to raise its loans outside the Dom-nion and leave the money in the country for the development of the country.

Tho report was adopted. It was Tcsolved, "That other chambers of commerce be invited to co-operate with the Wellington Chamber in urging upon the Government the desirableness of continuing to give chambers of commerce direct representation on. harbour boards, at least in the four principal shipping ports of the Dominion. • In proposing the motion of the Chamber of Commerce to-day regarding representation on harbour boards, Mr J. M Lei lan said it might not be generally known that the bill to be brought before Parliament would wipe out the chambers of commerce of the Dominion from representation on harbour boards. It practically put the whole of the boards in the hands of the voters on the manicipal rolls for the time being.* It proposed to give Wellington 10 representatives from the municipal roll three representatives from country district boards and there woud be two Government representatives. Such a proposition was one which should not recommend itself to a body like the Well ; ngton Chamber of Commerce.

Wellington Auckland Lyttelton Dunedin ■#, Vessels. 3,515 -6,438 1,713 624 Tons. 2,550,931 1,471,581 1,954.571 910,11!