CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 281, 25 November 1921, Page 6

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

DOMINION CONFERENCE. AUCKLAND REMITS ADOPTED. (By Telesraph.—Press Association.) * CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday. " The Chambers of Commerce Conference was concluded to-day. On a proposal from Auckland, it wa» resolved that the executive of the Associated Chambers of Commerce be urged to review and bring under the notice of the Minister of Railways the present unsatisfactory system of handling ship, ments arnv.iig m New Zealand ports for distribution by rail, with the object 0 { devising some economical and workable oasis of operation whereby goods can be callied and loaded direct into trucks and a proper check ana receipt given. Jlr. A. «. Lunn (Auckland) moved: "(a) That as a matter of equity and with the object of attracting a larger amount of liquid money for the financing of commercial enterprise the banks be asked to pay interest on the credit balance of current accounts of £100 and over; (b) that the half-year charge of 5/ for keeping- customers' accounts be abolished; (c) that all internal exchanges be abolished; (d) that the banks be approached with an urgent request to unify the note issue." The motion was carried, but several delegates ivoted against clause (c). HIGHWAYS AND MOTORS. The following remits dealing with the Main Highways Bill and, the Motor Vehicles Bill, were adopted. "That the conference opposes the Minister's proposal for the formation of one road board under the proposed Main Highways Bill, and advocates two road boards, one for each Island." "That the conference urges that the revenue to be raised by the proposed taxation of motorists and by Government subsidy thereon, for expenditure on main highways should be expended in the island in which the money is raised."

"That the method of taxation of motor vehicles s« outlined by the Minister is absolutely unfair, and the most equitable method of taxing is by tyre tax. That the whole of the revenue accruing from this tax be expended solely on road improvements, and not be paid into the consolidated account* PROFIT-SHARING COMMENDED. The conference affirmed the principle of profit-sharing and payment by results, suggesting that the details can best be worked cut by employers and employees in each industrial concern in a spirit of mutual approval by progressive experiments. It also expressed the opinion that any legislation or Government interference would be detrimental to this object, and should therefore be discouraged as any compulsory scheme would develop into an additional tax on industry and commerce generally. Referring to the employment of waterfront labour, ftie conference decided to ask the Oovernment to convene a conference of representatives of all interested' in tho matter with a view to remeHving the present unsatisfactory condition*. OTHER REMITS ADOPTED. Among remits adopted by the conference were the following: Endorsing the po!icy announced by the Minister of Public Works, of concentrating the energies of his department on the completion of main trunk lines, and connecting isolated sections; proposing that every encouragement and facility be given to private enterprise to develop hylro-electric power, every scheme to be approved by the Pnblic Works Department : urging that the existing legislation relating to landlords and tenants be r?nealed or amended so as to encourssre investment in house buildin£r for letting purposes; expressins stronsr objection to any suggestion that moneys rec-eived as reparations should be u«cd Tor arv other purpose trip*! that of repaying war loans. The conference resolved to telegrapa heertv congratulations to President Harding,for the =p]endid lead given hj Ar"»rica in regard to disarmament. Thr election of officers resulted:-" Preside*-. Mr. .T. E Waters (Dunedin)l vice-president, Mr M. A. Carr (Welunp ton): executive. Messrs. H. W. HnaVfl (Aiickpiivl). S. A. Lonsruet (Wellinf S A. Orelmrd (Canterbury), Mβ A ~H. Mnekreli (invercar<rilll. T>>* next conference will be heM h DuneCin.