CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 6, 7 June 1913, Page 6

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ANNUAL MEETING OF A PROGRESSIVE INSTITUTION. AN INTERESTING ADDRESS. The annual meeting of the New Plymouth Chamber of Commerce was held last night, when the President' (Mr. F. S. Johns) . presided over .i fair attendance of members. The chairman's annual report was read as follows: —

. It gives me very great pleasure to present to you the usual report of your Council of work done during the past year, and also. a short review of the trade of New Plymouth and surrounding district for the same period. Finance.—The balance standing to the credit of the Chamber on March 31 last was £9 17s Sd, as aaginst a credit ualanee of £lO 16s 8d on March 31, 1912. The sin'all decrease in the amount to credit is accounted for by an almost similar decrease in the income of the Chamber and not to any extraordinary expenditure such as occurred during the past year. It is to be regretted, that the financial position is not more substantial in view of the fact that the Chamber is frequently called upon to find funds for the prosecution of various matters of vital interest to the town and district, and this question is one that might engage the serious consideration of the incoming Council. Membership.—The Chamber commences the current year with a membership of 64, this being a slight decrease on that of the previous period. Meetings}— During the term of office your executive has held five ordinary and four special meetings, at which the following matters 'were discussed and dealt with:—

Advertising Mount Egmont Hostel With the kind assistance of Mr. Okey, M.P., your. Council .succeeded for the first time in getting this now popular resort advertised in the New Zealand Tourist Guide for the 1012-1913 season, and the thanks of the Chamber are due to Mr. C. 11. Burgess, who supplied two excellent photos of the hostel and mountain track- in this connection.

Opunake Railway—This most important question has had a great deal of attention by the Executive during the year, and at the end of October a very strong deputation, representative of this Chamber. and various local, bodies between New Plymouth and Opunake, proceeded to Wellington to push the claims of the New Plymouth-Opunake route prior to any authorisation being made. The deputation was introduced by Mr. Okey, and received a cordial reception and a patient hearing from the Minister of Public" Works, who gave an assurance that he would come to Taranaki and go over' the route recommended by the Commission.

Eailway League.—Acting oh the instructions of the September quarterly meeting, your Council considered tho Dest method of forming this League, and after some discussion it was decided to request the Mayor to call a public meeting of those interested. This wa3 done, and a strong League has been formed, in which the Chamber is well represented by Mr. King as' president, Mr. A. H. Johnstone as vice-president, and other members of your Council on the Executive. It is pleasing to be able to report that the League is rendering valuable service to the community by using every endeavor to bring to a successful consummation the linking up of New Plymouth and Opunake by a railway which will serve the Coast settlers between the points mentioned.

Association of Chambers of Commerce. —At the December quarterly meeting the question of joining the proposed Association of Chambers of Commerce was left with the Council to deal with, and after carefully considering the proposed rules submitted by the Wellington Chamber, your Council' decided that it was desirable to do so, and has taken the necessary steps to secure membership. Such an association seems eminently desirable, as there are many matters of Dominion interest needing joint action, which can best be secured by a representative executive of the various Chambers.

Invitation to Mr. Bcddoe, Canadian Trade Commissioner,—lt is to. be regretted that the visit of this gentleman to address a public meeting under the auspices of the Chamber has not yet eventuated, as there are matters of mutual interest between the two dominions on which he could advise our business people. It is to be hoped, therefore, that the incoming Council will again ap- | pioach Mr. Beddoe in the near future i respecting the matter, as it is generally [ admitted that there are great possibilities of trade between this district and the Dominion of Canada. Auckland Exhibition.—You are aware that preliminary steps were taken to secure space in one of the courts in order that Taranaki might be adequately represented at this Exhibition, and that Mr. Penn and myself were appointed to represent the Chamber at a meeting held in Stratford to decide on what course to pursue to secure a fitting exhibit of the products of the district. At this meeting a sub-committee was set up to ascertain. what measure of financial support could be expected from the various local bodies throughout Taranaki, arid this sub-committee has, I regret to say, secured only a measure response to its enquiries. While the boroughs almost unanimously agreed to assist pro rata to their valuations, the counties did not take so liberal a view, which is to be regretted, as it is generally admitted that Tarianaki should be represented when the.Exhibition opens. British Dominions Royal Commission.— One of the most pleasing duties of the Council during the year was the entertainment of the Commissioners who visited Taranaki. After a great deal of trouble, and assistance from the Hon. Mr. Samuel, ia party of the Commissioners, comprised of Sir Rider Haggard, Hon. Mr. Bowring, Mr. Lorimer and Mr. Tom. Garnett, were induced to visit New Plymouth with a view to enquiring into the potentialities bf Taranaki. Under the auspices of the Chamber, they were given an opportunity to thoroughly inspect the progress of the oil industry at Motnroa and Bell Block. Opportunity' was also afforded them of making full enouiry relative to our principal industry, dairying, and the whole process, from the milking to the grading and shipping of the nrodncts. was most carefully noted by them for further reference. In this connection I have to thank Mr. Newton King, Mr. John Connott, and also Messrs Morrison and Johnston, of our local Freezing Works, for the assistance ren- ■ dered in enabling the Commissioners to get a thorough insight into the methods adopted in the province to secure a firstclass article being placed on the market. At the request of several citizens, your Council induced the Commissioners to hold an official sitting of the Commission in New Plymouth, where an opportunity was given those interested to (jive evi•drnee on the above and any other matters of interest. At this official sit-ting,-which was held in the Chamber's piemises, evidence of value was <nven concerning the oil industry, dairying iron and ironsand. and also of the harbor, all of which have a bearing on the future progress of the town and"district Before tiie departure of the Commissioners, your Council had the pleasure of

entertaining them at a luncheon at the '.Mountain Hostel, and showing them over a considerable portion of the province,' and altogether their visit here ia calculated to be beneficial to Taranaki.

In February your Council had an opportunity of waiting upon the Minister of Railways, the Hon. .Mr. Herr.ies, and placing before him several matters of interest, the principal of these being that of improved railway-yard and goods-shed accommodation, and your Council was informed that the Department had this matter under' serious consideration/, as it is one that they had to face almost immediately owing to the of imports and exports at New Plymouth.

Preservation of scenery at Mokau.— This is another matter that has had some attention by your Council, and one that might be kept in view by the incoming members. Considerable correspondence has passed between the Chamber and the Ministers in respect to it, with the result that at the present time I understand that an exchange of lands i 3 contemplated in order to conserve for all time the banks of this beautiful river.

Visit of Ministers.—Following on their promise made last year, the Hon. the Prime l Minister, Mr. Massey, and Hon. Mr. Fraser, Minister of Public Works, made a tour of the proposed route of the Western Taranaki railway; and representatives of your Council had the pleasure of meeting them at Rahotu and making the latter portion of the journey with them. Opportunity was given to various deputations to lay the claim for a light railway between New Plymouth and Opunake before the Ministers, and they gave their assurance that no obstacle, would be put in the way of settlers if they desired to make the railway themselves, should the Government be unable to do so. During their stay the Ministers received many deputations on other matters concerning the welfare of the whole district, and your Council particularly brought before them the necessity of bridging the Mokau river and of pushing pn with the metalling of roads in our backblocks.

This being the first official visit of the Prime Minister and his colleagues, your Council thought it fitting to assist in publicly entertaining them, and in conjunction with the Borough Council and Taranaki County Council, gave a banquet in the Brougham Street Hall, ftt which a large gathering of citizens was present. In addition to the above matters, your Council has also had under consideration the linking up of the telephone service between Kotare and Waitaanga, handling and packing of manures, improving facilities for carrying travellers' samples between New Plymouth and Hawera, and the question of hastening the transport of goods inland from' tho port, all of which were dealt with.

In closing my remarks on.the work done by your Council, I should like to place on record the thanks due to Mr. King, Mr. Burgess and Mr. Griffiths for the great assistance rendered during the year by loan of motor cars during the entertainment of visitors. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.

In moving the adoption of the general report and balance-sheet, the president (Mr. F. S. Johns) reviewed the conditions of trade and progress of the industries of the province for the past year. Our chief .industry, that of dairying, had made steady progress, he said, and for the twelve months the figures of our total foreign exports from Taranaki, of butter and cheese, showed the generous increase of £320,054, cheese accounting for an increase of £358,489, while butter showed a decrease of £38,435. On making a comparison of the figures at ports of shipment, it would be seen that New Plymouth handled a total value in cheese and butter of £570,827, while Patea shipped, mainly in cheese, a total of. £808,231. From these figures it would be seen that Taranaki had contributed a substantial share in, the general increase in dairy produce experienced by the Dominion for the year ending March 31. As an indication of the progress of the industry, it was pleasing to note that the total value of butter and cheese exported from the Dominion stood second on the list, having for the first time beaten that of frozen meat. In passing, it might be noted that this province had gone very largely into cheese manufacturing, and he was of the opinion that this was a wise move on the part of our dairying companies, in view of the steady decline in cheese exports from Canada and other countries to Great Britain, and also of the keener competition from margarine which butter may experience in the near future. The butter industry was one, however, that should be carefully watched by our dairymen, as a very substantial trade was now possible with Canada, where a good demand for our butter existed. As illustrating this, he mentioned that for the year just past the value of butter exported to that Dominion increased by almost 100 oer cent., and amounted to something li' lvo £300,000. The manufacture of casein was now an established branch of the dairying industry, and one that promised to bring in a substantial increase in the pro■Us of the several companies operating in it. He was, unfortunately, unable to furnish any ligures relating to the output of the article in Taranaki. "I re;rret to say," added Mr. Johns, "that during the past season there have been a great many complaints about the quality of our cheese, and a note of warning in this direction is necessary. Quality is the watchword of success in this industry, as it has been in that of butter, and the Dominion cannot afford to risk a set-back to an export business in cheese, amounting to nearly two millions of pounds, for the want of more care in manufacture or supervision."

FROZEN' MEAT AND WOOL. Passing on to the frozen meat trade, the next of our staple industries, Mr. Johns continued that it was pleasing to note that the. total exports at New Ply. mouth, Waitara and Patea amounted to .€191.435, which showed an increase of £40,271 over the figures of the previous •year. Waitara, of course, headed the list in this industry, with a total export value of £152,078, while New Plymouth and Pa tea shipments accounted for only .£37,753. The substantial increase in this trade must he considered very satisfactory, when it was remembered that, for some weeks during almost the busi-

est part of the season, the progress of the work of, killing was very seriously hampered by a strike of the butchers. Fortunately this stoppage of work was of short duration, or a serious financial loss would have resulted to our farmers. With reference to wool, the total exports of all classes, of this staple product amounted to £ 1,16,495, and showed a decrease of £18,403 as against the year 1911-12, the deficiency being almost entirely accounted for at Waitara, where the bulk of our wool was shipped. Tallow, skins, hides, etc., accounted for another £50,000, bringing the total up to £1,730,309, which figures showed an increase for the twelve months of £365,461. When to these export figures was, added the produce which went into iiomo consumption throughout the Dominion, it would be readily seen that Taranaki's total production ran to well over £2,000,COO, a result upon which the province •was to be heartily congratulated. • TRADE AND COMMERCE.

The speaker went on to say: "Having shown you that the condition of our primary industries was in every way satisfactory, it 'necessarily follows that the trade and commerce of the town and district must reflect a like measure of •prosperity. During the year just past our tradesmen have experienced a generous . measure of success in their business, and although the financial stringency experienced the world over during the past twelve months has to some extent been felt in Taranaki, it has not, I think, caused any shrinkage in the general volume of trade throughout the district, nor has it resulted in any extensive bankruptcies in our midst. There has unfortunately been a curtailment of labor by the Public Works Department to some extent, and this has had its effect on business in some portions of the district, but as a general thing we have every reason to be satisfied with the volume of trade that has been experienced. The banks and other financial institutions have difficulty in supplying the demands made upon them, and consequently rates of interest are high, and this in its turn has a steadying effect upon our trade. There are, however, indications of somewhat easier finance in the near future, and as soon as the high rates experienced since the middle of 1912 decrease somewhat, we may expect to see a return of further activity in several directions. THE POET OF NEW PLYMOUTH.

"Turning for a moment to the question of imports, it is satisfactory to be able to report a substantial increase, and it is only by a study of the figures that one appreciates the. great value New Plymouth is as a port to the whole district. Looking back over a number of years, it will be seen that the imports and exports of New Plymouth show a steady advance, and for the year just past the total amounted to 91,940 tons, and shows an increase over the previous year of 4765 tons. This must be considered a very satisfactory increase, but we must not be satisfied, gentlemen, until New Plymouth has fulfilled the promise made to our settlers that they would, in the course of a few years, be able to despatch their exports and receive their imports direct by Home steamers lying at the breakwater. Such a consummation would increase the tonnage of our port almost beyond knowledge, when it is remembered that the piovince exports in the way of transhipments through other Taranaki ports some 25,000 tons annually of produce, which would be loaded direct into Homegoing steamers as soon as New Plymouth becomes a regular port of call. Such figures as I have given you will, I trust, set at rest any doubt as to whether Taranaki can produce sufficient tonnage to warrant a regular ocean-going service to New Plymouth. On this point I have not the slightest doubt myself, and .I. trust that the /Harbor Board will use every endeavor.to complete the necessary work at an early date. In this connection, may Ibe permitted to say that I have personally been frequently asked for fuller and more definite information regarding the progress of the works at the Harbor, and I trust that the Board can see its way to furnish a report that will set at rest the minds of our country friends, who are insistent in their demands to know when the harbor will be ready to receive oversea vessels. That the necessity for a direct port becomes more apparent every day cannot be denied, for our exports are fast becoming too voluminous to be dealt with in .any other way." THE OIL INDUSTRY.

Referring to the oil industry, the president said that during the year steady progress had been made with the erection of the refinery, and it was expected to be operating during the present month. Further boring operations were being conducted by the Taranaki Company at both Moturoa and. Bell Block, and as other companies were now working energetically in the prosecution of the search for oil. it was fully anticipated that in the ner.r future a sufficiency of the raw product would bo available to keep the refinery steadily working. At the present moment the Taranaki Company had itseJf sufficient stock in hand to work the refinery for some months, and it was to be hoped that their initial experience would be the forerunner of a new and permanent industry in New Plymouth. TOURIST AND EXPANSION LEA'.!UK.

One-of the- factors that was helping to push our town, Mr. Johns went on to say, was that of the Tourist nnd Expansion Leslie. This League was formed with the ohject of advertising the many attractions the town had to offer, not only to tourists, but also to possible resi-lcnts. From its inception, the League had done exceedingly good work under the chairmanship "of Dr. Leatham, and it was to he congratulated on having achieved a great deal of direct result in the purpose for which it wag formed.

GENERAL MATTERS. With reference to the Mountain House, the president proceeded to say that his predecessor was able to report to thmn the completion of the hostel on Mt. Egmont, and predicted its value as an attraction to Xew Plymouth. He (the speaker) was able to verify that prediction, for, since the hostel was opened m the early part of last spring, it had attracted a constant stream of visitors from outside Taranaki. He was assured

that the financial result for the complete year was in every way satisfactory, and exceeded the most sanguine expectations of the North Egmonfc Board. Since the success of the hostel as a tourist re- . Bort was aSHuredi he trusted that in the near future the Board would be able to make some further provision for additional accommodation. Another matter referred to was the New Plymouth High School, and Mr. Johns said he was pleased to be able to record the continued prosperity of this institution. He congratulated the Board , of Governors on pursuing a progressive policy in bringing- it as far as possible into line with other colleges in the Dominion. "It is essential," he continued, "that New Plymouth should not be lacking in first-class educational facilities, if we are to attract outsiders to come and lire among us, and I trust that the High School Board will so extend' the ' size and usefulness of the institution that it will soon become the accredited centre of education in Taranaki."

Touching on trams, the speaker said that the citizens were to be congratulated ei sanctioning the loan tor the institution of this serivce, and he trusted that when his successor made his annual report in 1914 he would be able to state that the work was well under way.

CONCLUSION. Mr. Johns concluded: "Having at some length touched on matters directly affecting New Plymouth, Ido not propose . * to weary you by going, at any length, into the question of outside influences. There are, however, several matters of importance that should not be passed over without some reference, as they materially retard or further the progress of not only Taranaki, but the whole Dominion. One of these is the question of better handling and accom* modation of our produce on the British markets. Although Ido not take the extreme views of the existing conditions ! that some do, it cannot be denied thai there is just cause for complaint of the treatment our produce receives at the port of London, where, from information received from .reliable men, the authorities have not kept the facilities up to the standard required for the clean and ■ efficient distribution of our goods. Inefficiency in this direction is bound to have an injurious effect on. the condition, of our butter, cheese, and meat before they reach the consumer, and a remedy must be found if the Dominion is to reap the full benefit of its output. I am pleased to note that the Hon. T. Mackenzie, our Agent-General, is taking the matter seriously in hand, and we trust, therefore, to see some improve* znent in this direction, and as a" consequence a keener demand from the British public for the products of New Zealand. A factor that is in the near future . going to increase the demand for our produce, is the amendment of the tariffs of America and Europe. The people 1 of these continents will insist on duty free food, and within the next few years. I predict that such a demand will net in for the output of our primary industries from foreign ports, that will give this Dominion an immense impetus of trade. It behoves us, therefore, to see that we avail ourselves of every opportunity to increase our production so that in the near future we shall be able to export a very much greater total than our present one of £23,000,000 per annum. As Taranaki must vbtv largely share in the increased damand, I earnestly commend the future Councils of the Chamber to iise every effort in furthering the completion of the Stratford-On-garuhe and New Plymouth-Opunake railways, roading of our backblocks, and the settlement ofour idle lands, all of which matters affect our future welfare. (Applause). Mr. Griffiths remarked that the prominence given to the question of handling cargoes of Dominion produce, applied to frozen m*>!it and not to butter and cheese. Government officers had reported favourably on the handling of our dairv'produce at' London. " " "■■':" These remarks were endorsed by Mr, King, who stated with reference, to the • harbor, that the persistent remarks- of- - the Press had elicited the information which Mr. Johns had expressed the hope the Harbour Board would give. Mr. S. W. Shaw said that with regard '-, to the Harbor, he had never himself found the impatience that various speakers had ascribed to the coiintrv people. That impatience really emanated from the town, and' was fostered bv the townspeople. Everyone was anxious to see the harbor completed, but he thought the Harbour Board possessed the confl-' deuce of the people. Mr. Govett thought the Board should be imbued with the gift of prophesy. The question that everybody was ask*' ing was, "When will the harbor be finished?" A member of the Board replied, "I don't know." They all wanted some idea when the ships would be alongside the wharf. ( Mr. Shaw: They prophesied four years a to, and were wrong. The President explained that it was purely a mutter of impatience, and there was no miestion of want of confidence in the members of the Board, for it was perfectly certain that a better Board of harbor members would be difficult to find. (Applause.) The members were all men of long experience, and of keen business capabilities. The motion was then carried. The following new members weTe elected:—Messrs. G. Coghill, F. J. Rod- ' ger, D. Penman, Denny-Brown, Jos. Clarke, F. C. W. Webster, and H. Stocker.

ELKCTION OP OFFICERS. The following officers were elected for (he ensuing year:—President (Mr. C. H. Burgess);' vice-president, Mr. J. Paton; council, Messrs. J B. Connett, N. J. King, F. S. Johns, F. Griffiths, A. Ooldwatcr. W. J. Penn, \V. Amburv, S. Shaw, and 0. W. Govett: lion, auditor, Mr. Hugh Bavly. A' vote of thanks to the outgoing officers concluded the meeting.