CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 164, 28 November 1912, Page 5

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

A DELEGATE'S REPORT. By Telegr-iph—Press Association. Christcliureli, Last Night. Mr. Albert Kay, who with A. S. Paterson (Dunedin) represented the Canterbury and Wellington Chambers of Commerce at the fifth International Congress of Clurhibers of Commerce held in Boston, U.S.A., in September, submitted a lengthy report at the quarterly meeting of the Canterbury Chamber, in the course of which he stated: "Very early in the proceedings it was evident that general discussions followed by amendments such as usually take place in congresses of Chambers of Commerce were not looked for or even desired. This eame out in a marked degree when the unification of legislation relating to cheques was under discussion. When a second point was submitted it proved not to be acceptable to the congress, but the president, instead of accepting the decision, withdrew the motion submitted. Protests were raised, but without avail. At an earlier stage, M. Fernard I. Shoniger (president of the American Chamber of Commerce of Paris) had energetically raised the point whether amendments were allowable, but it was evident from the reply of the president that though a properly worded amendment would be admissible it was said in such a manner that the impression was conveyed to many that no amendments were looked for or desired. The details of the proceedings and the papers of speakers, even to those at the great banquet, had all been approved by ,a permanent committee sitting in Belgium, and all that was desired was the confirmation of resolutions prepared by the congress. The papers presented on each remit by the speakers appointed were very able and exhaustive, anil the products of experts ia the various subjects tackled. At the same time some of us felt that we should have liked to have added our quota to the discussions, but not having previously communicated to the officials in charge, and had our names set down for speaking, we realised that our attempt to do so might not be too favorably received. Hence we said but little, ami. with the exception of the beforementioned, practically every resolution was passed unanimously. Another matter which added to the difficulty was that the proceedings were conducted by the president in the French language, though each speaker spoke in his own (1G different languages being recognised). Yet it made the routine somewhat difficult to follow, especially in voting as delegates and as individuals. We felt we had come many thousands of miles at great expense and sacrifice of time, and yet the assistance to the congress we had the opportunity of giving was practically nil. But, on the other hand, we had the satisfaction of knowing that we were units of a whole that would voice to the entire world the unanimous resolutions of a body of commercial men gathered from the four comers of the earth, and the effect, it is to be hoped, would go far to the knitting of these commercial bonds that would bring the day nearer when 'wars shall be no more.' The president, Monsieur Louis Canon Legrand, towards the end of the conference, moved that the 'congress affirms its desire to see established, as soon as possible, an international official conference which will ensure between nations the existence of arbitraal courts established in the. broadest sense, and of a nature to ensure an equitable solution of all international disputes, whether between citizens of different States or between States, and the congress declares its adherence to the principle of the combination of nations, where and when it maybe possible, to try to prevent the atrocities of war.' The motion was carried I unanimous!} 7 , amidst much enthusiasm,"