CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 165, 12 July 1907, Page 7

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The Council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce met yesterday afternoon. The president, Mr. N. A. Na"than, occupied the chair.

London Delegates.— The Dunedin Chamber of Commerce -wrote expressing approval of the Government being a-pproachert with a Tipw to inviting the members of the Associated Chamber of Commerce, London, to extend their visit to this colony. —The Council decided to co-operate wit.i Dunedin in this matter.

Commercial Travellers' Luggage.—The Hou. R. JlcXab, Acting-Minister for Railways, wrote re concessions In season tickets and excess luggage rates "to commercial travellers. He regretted that after making further investigations iiito the matter he could not comply with the request. He was of opinion that they "were most favourably situated, and any alteration in the existing rates for commercial travellers tickets and luggage should be in the direction of in-creasing, rather than reducing, the charges.—Mr. Evans'said the main point was overlooked. At present actors and reporters were in a better position in respect to railway charges than were commercial travellers. Then, too. there was the point that Auckland commercial travelelrs paid for rights over the Taranaki lines, which were not used.—lt was decided to write again upon the matter. Shipping Rings.—The Marine Department wrote stating that the only means of obtaining information in regard to shipping ring's was by the appointment of a Koyal Con mission. Information was being obtained from other Chambers, and the Department would be glad to get wuat it could from Auckland.—The letter was received.

Export Duty on Timber.—The West Ans"tralian Hardwoods Company , . Ltd., wrote regarding a ruling of the Customs Department, which they considered had the direct result of driving work and trade out of New Zealand. The letter stated that od timber exported in the rouch a drawnack of the full rate of duty paid was allowed, but the Customs Department ruled that if it was worked up in New Zealand, and reexported, no drawback was obtainable, thus penalising the employer of labour. The duty was 2/ per 100 super, and an increase by th3t amount of the price roudered it impossible to compete with Sydney or San Francisco in trade with the islands, where a large part of the timber was required dressed-—lt was decided, that the eecretary inquire regarding the matter from the Collector of Customs.

New Members.— T6e following new members were elected: Messrs. H. L Friend. B. O. Clark. J. B. Massey. G ciark and Stott and Hoare.

Freight on Goods.—A letter wa= forwarded by a storekeeper complaining that be h.nd been charged 2/ freight hy the railway upon a parcel weighing H6I1). whereas a"v ordinary passeng-er could carry lewt as personal luggage. He considered it was unfair that a storekeeper should be penalised, while the man who ought to deal with him was given a bonus to enable him to keep away from the storekeeper his legitimate trade.—Mr. Denhiston reported that while private people misrht take up goods as personal luggage, still, if th° passenger was known to be a storekeeper, freight would be charged.—Mr. Evans said if such was the case it was time it was altered. He moved: "That the Railway Department be written to upon the mattei '• which was agreed to.

Samples of Kauri Gum.—The Hon E Mitchplson wrote aekjng the Chamber to accept as a present a case containing samples of different grades of gum used both in America and Europe in the manufacture of linoleums and varnish. The prices of sanples range from £'< per ton for lowest dark dust, up to £820 per ton for best bright or Dial grade.—The president said the gift was both valuable and useful Ho moved that the Hon. E. Mitchelson be accorded the thanks of the Chamber which, was agreed to.

Receipts for Duty Paid.—The question of the refusal of the Customs Department to give receipts for duty paid was raised The presiaeht said the difficulty had arisen through the withdrawal of a concession given by the late Collector of Customs — Mr. Ivor Evans said he had brought the matter before Mr. Baume. who had forwarded him the following telegram- "Minister informs mc in reply to my letter "thai a form of receipt is being prepared iviijch {SW to Jfgth importers and the Department." • ■•