CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Press, Volume XLI, Issue 6054, 10 February 1885, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The quarterly general meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held at 4 p.m. ' " 'Yesterday. 'S*., The President (Mr J. Cooke) occupied ."• the chair, and there were also present Messrs Chrystall, Maepherson, Cameron, fi^^e 1 """; Stead, Williams, Allan, J. T. Matron, A. Ayers, Gould, Turner, W. B. Mitchell, Meares, C. E. IBrigge, J. B. Fieher, D. S. Melviße, Low, Aiken, Joynt, Fletcher, Bruce, Joseph Palmer, Barnett, Murraj-Aynalej, Gardner, Pickering', C. E. Blakiston, D. Craig, £. S. Harley, A. C. Wilson, Shanks, B. C. Bishop, F. E. Wright, B. Walton, Way. mouth, and Hon. J. T. Peacock. Mr Peter Donald (Arthur and Co.) -was elected as a member of the Chamber. The PBXsmxirr then made hia usual afetement of the business transacted by the Committee since the last quarterly meeting ;—The necessity having arisen to convene a general meeting of members today for the purpose ol electing two representatives to serve the Chamber on the Lyttelton Harbor Board, it was considered desirable to hold the quarterly meeting of the Chamber at the same time. A little over two months having elapsed since the last general meeting, your Committee's transactions, which I will as briefly as possible recapitulate, merely extend over that period. The urgent and continuous representations of your Committee, as* asted by other bodies, have led the Go* vernmeat to modify the grain haulage xatee, and although the 1888 tariff has not been reverted to, the public appear to be fairly satisfied with the concession granted, viz., on Class £ (Grain) existing tariff rates up to eight miles, and for all longer distances a reduction of Is 6d per . ton, but In no case ia the rate to be leas than 4s per ton. The agitation for a reduction in the haulage rates from ship to ahed in Lyttelton; and from Lyttelton to Christchurch has been maintained, with tie result that the former has been lessened from Is 6d to la. Very strong opinione are still held by your Committee, that the Lyttelton and Christchurch haulage rates are capable of modification to the extent of at least 6d per ton, and every legitimate means will be adopted to secure just treatment in this direction." The Government has placed an additional late train on the Port line, and further promised to extend this convenience if neces--sary. Tour Committee's efforts to have tie duty on binder twine entirely abolished .- wen not successful} the Customs department, whfle agreeing to delay the collection of the duty this season, distinctly ™fon*t.iTiff that ite resumption was, after the beginning of the current year, legally imperative. The question of reducing the telephone rates is still the subject of correspondence with the Government,, the only result, , so far, being a promise from the Commissioner of Telegraphs that the matter wOl be considered when the next estimates are being framed. Your Committee being of opinion that the wharfage rates on imported merchandise, particularly if the goods are re-shipped, amounting in that case to 4a per ten (2e inward and 2s outward) were prejudicial to and restricted mercantile operations, applied to the Harbor Board to sanction a reduction. It is understood that the joewly elected Hoard will consider our representations at an early date. Aβ the question at issue has a very direct bearing upon the power of our merchants to develops a coastwise trade, it is hoped that it will be approached by the harbor authorities in a broad, liberal spirit. It is yery satisfactory to note, in this connection, that the Union Company has at length - decided to provide weekly steam communication with Timaru. The attention of your Committee has been drawn to the ratesi levied by the Bailway Department fer labor in receiving ex ship, or discharging from trucks into ship, each goods as coal, timber and grain. Take for instance coal, the charge on which for receiving into truck from ship is Is per ton. I have ascertained . that seventy or eighty tons per day is a> fair avenge of the quantity, discharged from one hatchway of a vessel. This means a revenue of £& 10a to £A per L !I dksn to the department, the actual cost ' being not more than 8s to ids. Before Government undertook this duty, the cost Is eoßsigneee did not exceed 3d per ton, and it would appear that an appeal for a reduction to 6d per ton cannot be avoided, ' mom particularly as consignees at Port -Chalmers and Bluff are permitted to do the work themselves. In like manner timber, charges are open to a reduction from 3d to 2d per 100 feet. The charge of 6d per ton for discharging grain from a waggon into a ship ia not so excessive as those imposed for receiving coal and _ timber; nevertheless, I think 4d per ton would leave the department an ample profit. A resolution on this subject will be submitted to-day, and it is hoped that the Chamber will affirm, in unmistakeable & . terms, the principle that the Government has no right to exact exorbitant profits for services Tendered to the public Oar local railway authorities are to be congratulated on the decided success of the experiment of Tunning cheap excursion tains. Various objects have been thu3 attained, not the least important being the practical demonstration to the Government that a departure from cast-iron rules in railway management and the introduction <rf more elastio principles trill not only directly swell the railway revenue, but will create amongst the masses a desire to travel, the ultimate effect <& which in opening their eyes to the resources and capabilities of the country is hardly to be over-estimated. I trust the lesson will be veil digested and that the decision of the Government to establish Railway Boards cf Control or Advice, with functions that will enable the traffic of the colony to be ■conducted on modern commercial lines and outside political influence, will not be farther delayed. The chief event of the past month has, undoubtedly, been the completion of the East and West Coast Bailway contract and the departure of the delegates to "London to introduce the scheme, with ite marvellous land concession?, to the capitalists of Great Britain. _ Public opinion was determined to connect ' the two coasts of this island by rail, and Parliament passed the East and West Coast Railways Construction Act, 1884. Ido not - hesitate to express the belief that the laad - '-,- eoncessione under this Act represent an «Bormous amount of wealth, and if the - "", contract is taken up in London the public jot Ail colony will have paid a very full Vfrioß for its railway communication. There *. are many who think that if: the existing concessions will not carry the scheme, the - . Government should increase them. My «pinion is that no Government will or

ooghtto add another acre to those already gnoted, and I firmly believe if the con*aet with the Government lapses, that no flneb. favorable terms wiUjsTer again be - extended. Too high a price may be paid a» oar whistle, and we must guard Against a avian liberality, which might hang like aauUstooe round the neck of the next eeaeratian. In my former address to the Chamber, it was my privilege to direct ■Iwntton to a Benaible clearing of the •, eoaunerdal and agricultural atmosphere, ■Bd to draw encouragement from apoa•ertly reasonable evidencee that bottom «obeen touched, and that more cheerful eayswete dawning. I am happy to say that wdight butdeeided improTement alluded gjaa steadily gained strength, and gwea a . J"«tas bright warm dry weather, the *P«»«f the croaker will wax weaker, and - » wOI be found that an impetus has been - given to the trade and commerce of the jwrace. Harre3t is now in progress "eooer Tery favorable weather conditions, «« both the quantity and quality of the eroprpromiae welL The market for grain »likely to opea low, but in the event of xne crop being secured in sound condition, wonaclacal evidence of this fact conveyed ■toßnglishand Continental buyers, I am jeroaded that market quotations for New *eMaßd wheat wfll recover their position j J»»la1aon to those for Australian wheats, | «aour producers will reap the benefit j ««wmgly. There is no cause for in«wesed anxiety O n the score of prices. 2» Wish market is distinctly stronger ™«it was three months ago } our crop is . J^TtoJbe better fitted fe carry thai it Jβ dunng the two previoue yeare, owing SafcJS 0 '^ 6 * experiencedi w natter thearea under crop throughout «*»«dd nmit to fee than fwnwdy* Ify'

advice to the farmer is, secure and protect your crops from the weather by getting them into the stack or bag, but if you can afford it, do not be in too great haste to realise. It i 3 many years eince there has been such an abundance of pasture throughout the province, and as a consequence sheep and cattle are in the pink of condition. lam sorry, however, to find that " foot rot" is becoming unpleasantly prevalent in seme districts, and although there is no immediate cause for serious alarm, it is devoutly to be hoped that farmers will adopt every possible precaution to minimise an evil that might through carelessness ultimately develop into a scourge. The prejudicial effect of foot rot on the constitution of the animal in ite wo*l producing power and its capabilities for breeding should not be disregarded, for let the evil get a firm hold in Canterbury, and many a man who to-day possesses a payable flock will in a few years be forced to admit that foot rot worked his financial ruin. Many experts who nave had experience of both scab and foot rot state ttiat they would rather encounter and could more easily cope with the former. Wool maintains ite value in the local market, and it is encouraginz to note that the Christchurch Bales are now regarded as the moat important in the colony, and consequently an outside competition is induced, which is decidedly advantageous to the grower. As an indication of the steady expansion of the local wool sales during the past few years, I quote the following figures :— Offerings. ales. 1881-2 ... 12,749 bales ... 10,510 bales 1882-8 ... 16,838 „ ... 9,892 „ 1888-4 ... 19,427 „ ... 12,622 „ while up to date of the present season, which is barely more than half over, the offerings have already reached 14,292 bales, and the -«lea;lQ,s2ei- The exact figures for 1880-1 are not available/but they are certainly very little more than half those of the succeeding season. The woollen j industry of Great Britain is now brisker \ than it has been for some years, and if iron will only follow, which is not improbable, a \ general impetus will be given- to British trade, that will rapidly extend to the remotest corner of the empire. Given a healthy, vigorous heart and the extremities of the system will not be slow to respond. It is a matter for regret that the value of our frozen meat in England has reached the low level of 5d per lb, and in view of this fact it becomes imperative if the trade is to be maintained, that the total charges should be reduced to say 3d per lb. A nett return of 2d per lb. for the carcase to the shipper, with the addition of the skin and fat, will enable him to work to a profit, and I am emphatically of opinion that such a figure will very soon be the minimum price obtained. That defects exist in the mode of placing the meat on the Home market cannot be denied; but, on the other hand, if one tithe of the absurd proposals made in the colonies, by people who are utterly unacquainted with the simplest commercial principles,'had been adopted, the trade would have been in a much worse state than, it is at present. It is perfect folly to suppose that a great and powerful organisation like the butchering trade of the metropolis will allow itself te be ridden over rough ahod by any body of importers, English and Scotch meat finds ite way into consumption through certain well defined channels, and New Zealand frozen mutton must follow that example for the present. Diversity of opinion exists amongst the English consignees regarding the mode of sale, as it does amongst shippers on this side, though not perhaps to the same extent j and although no one is more anxious than I am to see greater unity on the part j of consignees, I must confess that with the great variety of opinions and interests on the part of the numerous public and private Freezing Companies throughout the colony, I fear the process of consummating it will be a slow one. So far as our province is concerned it is most encouraging to find that Canterbury mutton stands pre-eminent with regard to quality and condition j in fact, . carcases of poorer quality from other parts of the colony are : being branded "Canterbury mutton" in the same way as inferior Australian and even English meat has been palmed off as the produce of New Zealand. Every care should be taken to maintain this pre- : eminence, and although there are available at this moment large quantities of fat ewes which have borne lambs, the export of which would be a relief to the. farmer, it appears to mc to be lesß important to afford that outlet than to preserve the character of our local produce. I take the liberty of informing the Chamber that for many months past negotiations have been in progress with the Jewish ecclesiastical authorities of London with a view to effecting arrangements whereby New Zealand frozen meat may be rendered available for consumption amongat the large number of Jews in the Metropolis. Experiments made in the refrigerating stores at the docks, under the supervision of the Chief Babbi, having proved fully successful, the".Board of Shecheta," as it ia termed, expressed ite willingness to nominate two duly qualified persons to proceed to New Zealand under certain specified conditions of salary, &c, bo that the meat (fore-quarters only) should be prepared in strict accordance with the provisions of Jewish law. It is to be hoped that this new channel of consumption will be availed of, and although seme risk and expense will probably attach to the first shipment or two, there appeare te mc the strongest reason to suppose that a certain and profitable market would epeedily be secured. It is only fair to mention that the Bey.. I. Zachariah, of Christchurchjandj Mr L. E. Nathan, a former. President ofi this Chamber, have both rendered the] utmost assistance in promoting the scheme* Trade is fairly sound in the city, and il the crops are safely garnered the stores keeper and the importer will approach thJ coming winter with lighter hearts an<s heavier pockets. As yon are aware thw duty of nominating aud electing two o% our number to represent the Chamber oM the Lyttelton Harbor Board devolves upow na to-day. That Board has done grand! service to the commerce of this port in the past, and I think therefore we are entitled to express our appreciation of ite labors, and especially to thank our retiring representatives, the Hon. Mr Peacock and Mr Turner. Both these gentlemen have occupied the chair of the Board, an unmistakeable proof that they have earned the confidence of their fellow commissioners, and done credit to the body they represented. [Cheere.] The Chamber then proceeded to elect the representatives of the Chamber at the Harbor Board.

The Pjasnunrt read the clause of the Act bearing on the matter, and asked for nominations.

Mr Stxad proposed Mr C. W. TurnersIt was scarcely necessary for him to say anything in favor of Mr Turner,, as his widespread reputation as a commercial man was a sufficient guarantee that he would worthily represent the Chamber. Mr Chbtstaii. seconded the nomination, and also nominated the Hon. J. T. Peacock.

Mr MnBKAT-ATWSUtT seconded the nomi-1 nation of Hon. J. T. Peacock. Both that gentleman and Mr C. W. Turner had done good service on the Board, and he thought the Chamber wae highly fortunate in being! able to secure tie services of such able re 4

presentatiTea as these two gentlemen. fCheeraJ The Chaibkah having called for furthei nominations, and there being no response he declared the Hon. J. T. Peacock and Mi C. W. Turner duly elected to represent the Chamber on the Harbor Board. Hon. J. T. Pkacock said he waa mud obliged to them for a renewal of their con fideSce. It was true that they had no much money to spend, but he trusted tha next year they would be able to do sonu thing in the direction spoken of by thei President. The Harbor Board, it must b remembered, had tot heavy £&*>** having to raise no less than .£7OOO pc annum for dredging. Therefore it we necessary that the Board should provid for a revenue, but h» would do his atmoj to bring about the result spoken ot bytb President if i> were poswblrt. _£Cheera. j < -tfr C. W. TtJwnn* aaid e?aoe enteral; iiie room he had been enttuatee wita m resolution which would carry ont the sug-' gmestfons made by their in his addreae. The firet partf into vhieh th« worde of

comment from him, as his friend, Mr Chryetall, had eloquently urged it both in the Chamber and in the public papers. The resolutions were as follows:—" That strong representations be made to the Minister of Pablic Works to obtain (1) a reduction of at least 6d per ton ia the haulage rates on merchandise (classes A, B, C, and D) between Lyttelton and Christchurch, and (2) a reduction in the receiving charges on coal and timber, and in the delivery charges on grain, Bay to the following extent:—6d per ton on coal making the rate6d instead of Is; Id per 100 ft on timber, making it 21 instead of 3d; and 2d per ton on grain, making it 4d instead of 6d." Speaking with reference, to the second part in the resolution, hewould point out to the Chamber that aoj analysis of the Harbor Board returns would show that the railway authorities] had carried over the lines 74,000 tons ol ccal during the year, for which they hajg charged Is per ton, and 112,271 tons <M grain at 6d. Now the actual cost to thflj railway would not exceed 2d or 3d. £■ regarded the grain, the actual work do«f was very smaU, but the tallying wss ij»* eluded in this charge. The actual labof in -the trucks would only come to 2d pB ton, whilst the Government charged 6d. X regard to timber, too, a reduction cooK

easily be made, and on the three items ju felt sure a reduction of from £3000 |§2»' .£4OOO a year could be effected. Thlp charges, he wished to point out, werjsj singular in Lyttelton. At first he tnongb* they were charged in all the ports of th]& colony. But when he was lately in Pogj Chalmers and at the Bluff, he found that this charge did not obtain there. The excuse made here was that the Government couot not allow outside labor to interfere in tbj% filling of their trucks, but in Port Chasj£ mere the stevedores provided the labor the tracks, the railway merely them over their lines to the ship's Bide~ra£ ship providing all else after. Here went they quietly sitting down and submitting? to an imposition of from .£3OOO to Jg4wp per annum more than at any other perog with one representative as Minister f& Public Works aud another as Premier 9s' the colony. [A Voice —" The Treasurer."] | It was no use blinking the matter. Sirv Julius Vogel was the real head of the* Ministry, and the leading spirit of the: colony. [Hear, hear.] He said it was al mistake for them to sit quietly by, and be content to be governed by memos. sent from a gentleman in a back office in Wellington to the Minister for Public Works. The Government had known of these figures for some time past, and they - had been brought under the notice' of the present Minister for Public Worked The Government also knew that by a stroke; of the pen they could relieve the people off Canterbury, and they alone out of all New* Zealand, from the payment unjustly ofj .£4OOO per annum. It was the question of the milch cow again, and he hoped that thd Chamber would pass the resolution unani*; mously. [Cheers.] j \ Mr Stead said he would second the resoi |

lution with great pleasure. He need ad J but little to the telling remarks of Mjf Turner, except to say that in his opinion the Government could very well afford to] make the reductions spoken of in theresolu-1 tions. [Cheers/] ■ The motion was then put and carried unanimously, and the proceedings terminated. — imu i III"!*' T" HWMIWb