Chamber of Commerce.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 74, 31 March 1904, Page 4

Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber of Commerce met. last night. Present—Messrs Mewle y \ (chairman), M. Eraser, W. Ambury, W. Nvwmmi, Johns, Ewing, Penn, Ooldwater, Newton King, Chung. Paul, Uovett, Richards, Mannering.

Apologies were received from Messrs l>. Samuel and W. D. Webster.

The question of preferential duties was discussed. Itj was explained that under the Preferential Trade Act those goods now unloading in Auckland wen* being admitted under the old tarilT, whereas importations by the some steamer if sent on to other purls so that they could not bo cleared before March ill si would be charged under the new regulations. It was felt that this was an injustice, ami eventually Mr Kruser moved, and Mr tiovett seconded, That thin chamber respectfully draws the attention of the Government to the great hardships inflicted on the importers here having to pay duty under the prw'erential tarilT on goods arriving in the colony before the 'list of March, which -importers at the lirst port of cull are free from, and trusts that rebates may be made with the view of putting all parts of the colony on the same basis as the original port of call. This was carried unanimously. I he following letter was read from the Wellington branch of the Navy League At a large and representative public meeting hold in this city on the 29th ultimo, under the auspices of the Wellington branch of the Navy League, the following resolution, moved and seconded by lending citizens, was carried unanimously and with enthusiasm, viz "That this mass meeting of the citizens of Wellington realises that the Empire and the security and prosperity of every part of it are dependent on the adequacy of the Imperial Navv and that this meeting would view' with satisfaction any further measure of naval co-operation which might be approved by New Zealand." j nnv say that some 2000 attended the meeting which was presided over by his Excellency the Governor, the Right Hon. the Premier, ami other members of the Ministry bt-ing also present. Resolutions of a similar nature have recently been carried at public meetings held under the auspices of the Navy Leggne at various other centres ; and it is considered that the present time is an opportune one for influential bodies such as the chambers of commerce and ■lmrbour boards throughout the colony to emphasise the expression of publfe feeling contained in the resolution referred to. With this end in view the executive committee of the local -branch of the Navy League would respectfully urge your members to favourably consider a suggestion that a resolution on somewhat similar lines to the foregoing should be passed by your chamber and a copy of the same forwarded to the Right lion, the Premier for consideration. This is of course assuming that tlve members of your chamber are favourably disposed to the suggestion. There can be no doubt that combined action in this way would carry tonsiderable weight. —Yours, etc., CECIL W. PALMER, Hon. Secretary, The Navy League, Wellington branch. The chairman stated that there could be no doubt that our existence depended on the navy, but the question of expense hail to be faced. After •discussion it was resolved that this matter, being a colonial one of great importance, the chamber thank the league for bringing it forward, but in the absence of information the chamber deem it inadvisable to pass any resolution at present. It was decided to appoint Mr M. Eraser to represent the chamber on the carnival committee. This concluded thw business.