CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3427, 5 March 1920, Page 2

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

—-——-<)-——- ANNUAL C();\'F.ERENC}‘J. \V’liLi[.lNG'l‘();\", I\'lal‘ch 3. The annual conference of the Assmizltimx of ’.\'c-w Z:'i1l'c1l1 Ullalnbel's 01’ Celxllnercc opened in the hall of the \v\’(-llington Chamber. The I'ollo\ving remits were udopiedz--The Conference I'econlmeuds the Government to favourably consider the appointment of a. "Minister of Commeree, zulvised by a council of expens'l‘h2lt the (.%o\’ernment ba, recommend»

ed to appoint a commission or to ar-ran-ge for 1-1. conference to inquire into the proper principles and incidence of taxation in New Zealand and ‘to make recon:meudatious as to all taxes, whether (lirecr or illclire<;t, to be levie<l for the year cornmencing. April 1, 19.19. ’.'.‘ll-at all profit-earning departments of the State, in cases where the whole of the profits are not: paid into the consolidated fund, or where they are not all-emly liable for income-tax and land tax, in the same manner and under the same conditions as private busirresses

are liClbl(|_ That all local a.utlloritieg should be rmulo liable fo.l' income tax and land ‘lax in ro.s,_poct of their commerciall activities.

That the GOVel'nmellt be urged to intmduee legislatioii during next session 01; lines of the .—\.ust'l'alT:lll Sea. Cui*rizlg-e Of’ (_%<)od.~' Act, 01' of the Anieri-’¢ELII .-\e.t, to umeml and consolidate the existing law relatiiig to the liability of c:,il-riers of goods by sea. S-0 as to secure for owners of goods more equitable terms and (:on(litiOli.<. Furthelj. that the GOVernnient he urged to take this queslion up with the (u‘roVermnents of other British Dominions with 21 View to securing by joint I'epresentatioll similar legislzition in Britain. That in order to give etl'ee’: to the fOl'L"'gOlllg', the Exeeiitive be instructed to confer with the Board of 'l.‘l'ade, to empley :1 >'oili,‘iT()l', and,‘ if necessary, to 501 up a special committee to prepa:'e CL draft Bill for pl‘esenta':ion to next .3('h‘Sioll of Parliament.

’l‘li:it sliipping companies he requested to issue throughbills of lading to at .ea.~'t all .-\ust1':llian main ports. Tliat those ovel'»:se'a shipping Cour ptmies whose bills of lmling are so Linibiguoilsly wo1'tle(l as to enable tin-111 to I'epudi'.lte liabilfiy altog-ctlie;' when the value of goods missing exceeds the bill of lading limitatioli,_be requested to bring their bill of lading coiiditioiis into line with those companies who pay up to limitation stated in the bill of lading, or -.1 apl'opol'tioll of such limitation; that failing acquiescence, importers be recommcdned to reqeust their overseas shippers to give preference of shipment to shipping companies who admit liability. That action be taken to secure the tliscontiiuiance of pre-payment of freights on all overseas cargo . ' That pressure be brought to bear on the Government to see that suflicient

freiglft is provided to Cater for the direct trade between Australia and New Zealand, and urging that a uniform through rate be fixed for -main

ports. A Maori lands requisition \vus brought forward by Mr R. L. ]:’atel'son (Napier), who moved that in the intoxests of and for the protection of the native race the Government be strong‘iy urged to purchase all unutifl;-zed native land which has been -leased, but has reverted to the owners, and dee.l_'ezlsed in pl'odnc.tivem-s.<_. :11‘ a fair \‘alu:Ltion of the present value of land, paying ‘the native o\\'nol‘S interest. only :11: :1. fair rate, thereby protecting the ml'.)i\'os from ruin and aVoidillg their lwcolnitlg a burden on the State, and t'urther releasing a large area for returned soldiers and bona fide farmers. The rmnit was c:'n'ried by 11 votes to