CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 66, 18 March 1905, Page 7

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

A meeting of the council of the Chamber of Commerce was held at 2.30 o'clock this afternoon, when there were i present:— Messrs. A. B. Roberton (preJsident), L. J. Bagnall, J. H. Upton, W. Mennie, S. Nathan, M. McCallum, Evans (Briscoe, McNeal), W. Philson, J. B. Macfarlanc, Graves Aickin, and John Reid. Mr. Thomas Peacock, having signified his willingness to act. waa appointed a member of the council. It was reecoinmended by the committee that Mr. Vaile's letter, re railway way expenditure, be ordered to be submitted to a chartered accountant for the verification of the figures. Mr. Aickin said the idea was to have the .figures tested by an accountant of authority, as the Premier had challenged their correctness. Mr. Vaile was prepared to give his own services and fullest information for the assistance of the accountant. Mr. Mennie said if they were to father Mr. Vaile's scheme they should employ two chartered accountants. Mr. Upton asked if there waa any reason why the figures should "be verified at all Mr. Bagnall thought one accountant ought to be sufficient. Mr Maefarlane questioned if the Cham, ber should spend funds for that purpose. The chairman considered the Chamber had no Tunds for such a purpose. Mr. Mennie said it was the consistent course of the Chamber to deal with railway matters. The question was one of great interest to Auckland. Mr. BagnaJl said it was the duty of the Chamber to see that the North was fairly treated. Mr. Maefarlane contended that Mr. Taile should be sure of his figures before going before the public. It was pointed out that Mr. Vaile was satisfied as to the correctness of his figures; the verification was .required by the Chamber and not by Mr. Vaile. Mr Aicken said it would settle the matter if the correctness of the figures was dealt with by an accountant. Mr Upton said to prove the correctness of the figures was a big order. Mr McCallum considered this was outside the functions of the Chamber. He objected to the funds being spent in that way. Mr Evans suggested that the Chamber mjght send the letter to the Minister for Railways and ask for his reply to it. Mr Nathan said the committee considered the figures should be verified before being used by the Chamber. Ultimately it wns decided to defer the further consideration of the report. New Members: Messrs Grey and Menzies. W. H. Heather, J. Laxon, and T. Macky were elected members of the Chamber. Trade with Australis^— -The matter of securing preference for New Zealand maize in return for other tariff concession:? for Australia was referred to a committee of importers and exporters.