THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE CUSTOM-HOUSE.

Press, Volume XI, Issue 1369, 28 March 1867, Page 2

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE CUSTOM-HOUSE.

TO THE EDITOE OP THE " PRESS." Sic, —In your leader this day on the above question, you say —" The people of Lyttelton not unnaturally consider that the Customhouse should be situated at the chief port of the province." Permit mc to compliment you on the justice and fairness of your views generally expressed. It is, indeed, " premature this discussion," and displays a spirit of greed I had hoped the Chamber incapable of ; albeit, the minority had the argument. Why, Sir, if these narrow views are to be listened to, we shall have peopls complaining from all parts of the , province of having to attend Christehurch on all public matters, seeing that city at present enjoys a tolerable monopoly of public offices. As a parallel to this movement of the Chamber of Commerce, one can imagine a clamour for the removal of the Customs from the Thames-side, London, because Hampstead Heath or Camberwell Green happen to be looking vp —depend upon it it's a great mistake to think of having the Custom-house anywhere but in Lyttelton, concentrated, too, as common sense and economy would dictate. I am, Sir, yours obediently, T. Meeson. THE INSOLVENT LAWS. TO THE EDITOB OP THE " PBES9." Sic, —In the " Lyttelton Times," of today's date, I noticed a letter eigned " Gaultier Berger," advocating harsher measures in the treatment of insolvents. It appears to mc that the writer must be deficient in such appreciative faculties as usually belong to his lively countrymen, when he speaks of New Zealanders lacking that Saxon energy and blood that characterised their fellow colonists of Victoria ; also that it is strange that lie should not have had the —shall I call it energy, to ascertain what steps have been taken in the matter of debtors in this country before writing hia letter. It is only five weeks since a debtor was released from Lyttelton gaol after a month's imprisonment for a debt of 12s 6d ; such a penalty would be attached equally to a debt of 5s as the law now stands. Comparing the two colonies, he alludes to the greater facilities of escape from this country. I would suggest that the larger population, and more frequent means of communication in Victoria, would give the Victorian a decided advantage over the New Zealand defaulter. Be this as it may, the same Mr Fellowes, whose name the writer mentions, has been the advocate and means of introducing into Victoria a law abolishing imprisonment for debt. With such a precedent, and with a population composed of at least equally good ingredients with that of Victoria, why should not our legislators adopt this law; let the prosecution for the debt, if proved to be fraudulently incurred, be criminal. With this retribution in terrorem, the reckless trader will be restrained, and it ia to bo hoped our correspondent will be saved from being the dupe of what I suppose I must call the prostituted energy of the trading community. I remain, Sir, yours obediently, An Advocate of English Law. Lyttelton, March 22, 1867.