CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1918, Page 8

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

QUARTERLY MEETING. The quarterly meeting of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce was held last night. Mr. P. S. Johns presided, j and there were present: Messrs 0. N. Firth, D. Morrison, A. Goldwater, E. H. Tribe, F. Jackson, P. Jackson, J. Paton. A. McHardy, S. Teed, A. P. Webster, and 13. K. Morrison. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs E. P. Webster, H. Cocker," and W. J. Penn. Mr. J. T. Griffin was elected a member of the chamber, and the name of Mr. E. V. Clay substituted for that of Mr..T. S. Young as a representative of the New Zealand Express Company. The Tnvercargill Chamber of Commerce wrote in respect to the matter of weighbridge charges that the question had been brought before the"iexecutive of the Associated Chambers, and that legislation had been promised to amend tho present incongruity. Correspondence was received from the Napier Chamber, intimating that at a ; meeting held on May 23 a resolution had been adopted urging that all chambers be asked to co-operate with a view to having a uniform scale of mercantile charges adopted. A resolution bad also been passed to the effect that the motion be tabled as a remit for consideration at

the next annua! meeting of the Association of Chambers of Commerce, and that the Government be asked to have the uniform charges brought into force by Aet of Parliament at an early date. Mr. Goldwater pointed out that'it was a dangerous step to ask the Government to" legislate in the direction of fixing commercial charges. He thought itwould interfere with the interests of private traders, and probably lead to the limitation of profits. He believed in the' principle of universal charges, but thought it might be left to the Chambers of Commerce to fix. He moved that tho request for a universal scale of, charges should be supported, but that- it is not advisable to effect that by legislation. —The motion was seconded by Mr. Tribe and carried.

TU,e Napier Chamber also wrote forwarding a number of copies of addresses delivered 'there by Sir Robert Stout and Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., on "Britain & Ideals and How to Carry Them Out," and "Why Germany is' so Strong." The copies had been distributed amongst members and it was decided to acknowt-. edge receipt of them. The secretary of the British Empire Union wrote enclosing copy of the constitution, rules, and policy of that organisation. The minimum subscription fee is Is. The chief aim of the union is to expose the dangers of a premature peace, and to insist on the freedom of the British Kmpire from German influence and control in finance, industry, commerce, and politics. The means for attaining these entU were set out in a series of proposed lines of action. The matter of the Chamber being represented at the next conference 01 Associated Chambers of Commerce, to be held in Wellington in October, was left in the hands of the chairman to arrange. Some minor alterations to the rules of the chamber were agreed upon. A paper was then read by Mr. 0. Firth on the subject of "The Menace of German World Power," which was attentively listened to and much appreciated. 'A vote of thanks to Mr. Firth was carried unanimously.