BOARD OF TRADE

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 61, 12 March 1915, Page 8

BOARD OF TRADE

PROPOSED FOB. XEW ZEALAND. SCHEME FAVOURED IK AUCKLAiSD. A. proposal for the establishment of a Xew Zealand Board of TTade and Industries waa received yesterday by the Auckland Industrial, Association from the sister association in Canterbury. The report of a sub-committee was enclosed, in which it was suggested that the 'object of the board should primarily be to increase Ithe prosperity of the Dominion. Encouragement should be given to the development of farming, dairying, horticulture, agriculture, and to the stimulating of manufacturing industries. A bureau should be established for the distribution of information relating to British, foreign, and local market*. Tile organisation should be entirely nonpolitical and Government recognition should be sought.

Some of the objects of tiro proposed board were set forth in a circular as follows:—

(1) To protect merchants and manufacturer who desired conscientiously lo refuse to trade, directly or indirectly, with enemy countries, by keeping watch over other linn* whose bona fides in this direction were open to suspicion. (2) To protect Dominion merchants and manufacturers 'by detecting find exposing abuse of trade-marks, falsification as to nationality and 'manufacturing towni, places of origin of merihand'.«e, etc. (3) To prevent loss of trade through the illicit manufacture and sale of foreign goods stamped with falsified - British names and trade distinction*. (4) To take such steps an might be open to suppress dumping. (5) To induce and arrange with Home manufacturers and merchants to supply goods specially uuitfd to colonial markets, (ti) To bring about the co-operative effort between different Dominion manufacturers so that manufactures might be undertaken conjointly which would be impossible individually, and w.hereby otherwise waste products might lie turned to profitable account. (7) To obtain for.Dominion manufacturers the bret expert advice in regard to the opening up of new industries, and the plant and machinery necessary for the sanre, and for Dominion merchants the best and cheapest sources of supply of raw material and other goods required for industries. (8) the interests ;. f Dominion merchants and manufacturer* by studying the? incidence of fiscal duty, an affecting them, recording anomalies, and bringing the same before the Government, and pressing for their amendment. (9) To act as' jtle connecting link between the Dominion and the British Board of Trade—csnWxailly its department of commercial intelligence—also the Imperial Institute /and tire Colonial Institute. (10) To aA in conjunction' with, and .as a technical adjunct to, the Chambers of Comiperce throughout the Dominion. (11) To> week to establish a "Dominion of Xew f Zealand" trade-mark. / (12) To keep the Dominion and iier activities, resources, arid p 'oducts always before the of the world, and especially of 'Great Britain and her colonies. i

The president (Mr. S. J. Harbutt) remarked that the proposed objects of the suggested board would largely.; coincide with those of the 'Imperial Trade League, which was being established in Auckland. After going into the' matter, he believed- that the scheme would develop into something of importance.- If a board of trade was set up,, it would to a frrdet extent cover the ground that was at prceent embraced' by .the Industrial associations. \

The eecrctiry (Ifr. I*. E. Whitton) was requested to report the result of an interview which he had-had with those ni teres ted in the movement in Welling-, ton. He.said he had been given *to;Uti-, derstand lhat while the; scheme was generally approved, it was .considered that some'of the proposals would need to he altered, particularly one to the effect that n board of trade should be established by the Industrial Aeeociat ions., and that, the Government'should be given representation. It was thought however, that the- Government might agree to establish euch a board, and give the Industrial Association representation. The present; position. w «r! that a sub-committee from / tlie Wellington Association wae to wait' on the •Prime Minister for the purpose of ascertaining his viewe on tlv matter. The president said that the further sujreestion had 'been made that they sUouM forego the proposed: Dominion " induiitries week," antj spend the equivalent amount of money and,energy on a camnaisiu \n support of the Scheme for C3ihhlishine.n IJoard of Trad». f ' .

'• Mr. «. C. CJarlick thoujjht • that they should no ahead with " industries week." Time? were slack just now-, and; tradespeople could perhaps'devote more time ,to s thc undertakinff. The movement would probflWv help to brighten conditions general I v .'

Other members concurred, and it .was decided, on the suggestion .of, the' chairman, to defer consirleration of ;the proposalto establish aßoard of Trade until' further- information had*, been • obtained. ■ j

The ajrreed'--to- briifsf' {he matter before a meeting of ; th'e Empire Trade League, to be held on: Mondnv next. / . ' '• .The committee further resolved•" to probed with "industries week "in the month iof May. ' ■. ■