AUSTRALASIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7952, 30 January 1906, Page 3

AUSTRALASIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ANNUAL MEETING IN LONDON.

At the fourth annual general meeting of the Australasian Chamber of Commerce, in London, held on December 19th, the Chairman, Mr E. T Doxat, in ' the course of his address, said:—"The object of the Australasian Chamber of Commerce is to try to increase the volume of business between this country and Australasia, whioh of late years has shown a declining tendency when compared with the trade between Australasia and the Continent and the United States of America. For this decline many >s_ reasons are as3igned, and amongst ' others the way in whioh foreign countries push their trade in Australasia und the advantages in freight obtained by these countries through the heavy subsidies granted to the great French and German linors. With respect to freiEhts, I think the question of the effects of subven tions is somewhat exaggerate*'!. As regards Australia the monthly services of the Massßgeries Mnntiraes Company, especially when Ibo vessels are largely passenger Mais, and have to carry to and from New Caledouia. can hardly be looked upon as seriously affecting freight rates, and, hlthough v the competition of the North German Lloyd is far more serious, the essence of their competition lies in the fact that the direct trade with Belgium, Holland aud Germany inJft duces firms in these countries to prefer to order goods by these dire, t steamers to receiviug them In transiG through English ports. As reeards the United States, the bulk of the business is conducted in English bottoms; either ran by English Arms or chartered by Americans, so. subsidy there plays no part. But, as there is no regular aLipping ring like In London, which regulates not only the rates of freight, but also the actual number of sailings allotted to each member of the ring, there is at times severe' competition between rival lines, and rates are cut accordingly. Taking again shipments of United States or Continental goods, via England, I do not think that except under very exceptional circumstances this is done at lower rates than foreign merchants can obtain direct. In this case the English lines to Australasia are between the devil and the deep sea. It is much to be regretted that the Government have been unable to give the attention* to the Butter bill, which it deserves, nnd the measure is again shelved sine die. This butter adulteration is becoming more and moro serious, and not only affeots Australasian but all foreign and home batters. With the recent change of Ministry, I fear the question of tariff reform will stand little ohance of being brought Drominentlj forward. There are, of course, two 'points—duties on foreign manufactured goods with the view of protecting home industries, and a preferential tat iff between the Colonies and the Mother Country, in which latter Australasia is mainly interested. As it would be suicidal to place any duties on imports from foreign countries of wool or other articles; used in production of goods manufactured in this country, the differential duties to be levied would bp; practically on grain, meat and dairy produce, of which except as regards grain this county takes practically all that Australia ships, { and even' as regards wheat, etc., the foreign duties are very onerous. 1 do Dot myself believe tbat'a moder- | ate duty un foreign grain, meat and dairy produce, would materially enhance Values, but this is a tangible argument whioh the opponents of differentia! duties can always hold forth to the lower classes, whilst the counter benefits to be possibly derived do not so clearly appeal to them. I think lam correct in say- , ing that since the establishment of the Commonwealth the emigration from Aubtralia has considerably exceeded the immigration. It iB true that some of this loss may have been due to the prolonged drought, and that it was more than made good by natural increase, but on the other ban il such statistics do not promise any such rapid increase of population as would < lead to a marked increase of imports. Such statistics as those given also tend to discourage emigration from this side, for the is naturally asked' why such numbers of people leave Australia if it iB such a Paradise for the working man as ' it is represented to ne. It seems to me that some explantion on this point would be very valuable. Until quite reoently very little has been done to encourage emigration. Bat the same means have not been taken to assist immigrants of the working class in the same way as has generally been done by young rising countries. I venture to say, that money here the last few years has been in fair demand and that home investments could be made on suoh terms as rendered the rates offerod by the Colonies but little attractive, and, moreover, some of . the recent loans still remain in the hands of the Syndicators. Apart from this there is, however, rightly or wrongly, a certain distrust in Australian legislation which has not been allayed by the late .Bills introduced in South Australia and Queensland with regard to the socalled "Monopoly Tax." It is true that in both these States the Bills have been thrown opt, out the possibility of a different result has left its sting. That the samo feeling must to a oertaiin extent exist locally in Australia is shown by the fact that, whilst the bunks are reported as "full of money," but little of these funds appear so tar to have been invested in the many station properties for sale at far less than the sums for whioh they are mortgaged. I have, I fear, made statements with whioh many of you may not agree. I look upon Australia as a country capable of great things, but I maintain that in order to fully develop her resources good seasons and good legislation are imperative, and that legislation calculated to injure those capitalists who not only gave the first impetus to Australian enterprise, but who have tided her through more than one crisis, must be short-sighted policy. Although so much has been said as to the drought being a thing of the past, yet recent letters and cables tell a

very different story as regards extensive traota of land in Queensland and New South Wales. Against this a record harvest is expeofced, wool continues to realise excellent prices, and the dairying industry, though somewhat affected by unfavourable weather, has had its compensation in a continued high range of butter prices which must leave excellent returns. Mr Doxat was re-elected President of the Chamber and the Executive Committee was, also, reelected.