CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9817, 28 August 1897, Page 5

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The President and the Committee of the Chamber of Commerce are to be 'congratulated upon the innovation with regard* to annual meetings introduced by them yesterday. Instead of providing their members with dry business, dry champagne was the order of the day, supplementing a really excellent and" recherche luncheon, admirably catered for by Mr P. Burke. There were about sixty gentlemen present, the chair being occupied by Mr E. W. Roper, President of the Chamber, who had on his right Mr \V. Recce, Vice-presi-dent of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and on hie left Mr J. R. Triggs, President of the Industrial Association, and Mr H. P. Murray-Aynsley. The vice chairs were filled by Messrs W. D. Meares and A. Kaye. After luncheon had been disposed of, The President said that there were two things which put Englishmen in front of all iV other nations in the world. One was their loyalty, the other their devotion to business. They at the furthest end of the world were loyal, and he would ask them to drink with enthusiasm the health of her Majesty the Queeu. N The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. The President said the minutes of their last meeting would be read, then the new members would be elected and after that he would address them on the events of the year. Subsequently a special meeting would be held, at which an alteration in the rules would be proposed, by which the Committee would be enlarged. After this the officers " for the year- would be elected. The following gentlemen were elected as members of the Chamber: —Messrs Geo. Jameson, Claud Sawtell, Andrew Fairbairn, Edward Jennings, M.D., V. R. Hobbs, j'. A. Parsons, A. L. Parsons, T. Y. Wardrop, W. Brice, F. J. Smith, G. Palmer, H. Kohn' W. C. Hill, W. Wardell, G. r David B. Low, Jtl. S. Hobday, T. E. foneeliife, W. A. Tribe, Walter "Hill, E. Dom- * brain, Wm. Lake, W. M. West, Aaron Ayers, Thos. Brown, Thos. Kincaid, H. S. Richards, J. H. Hopkins, D. McMillan, A. Loughrey. The report of the Committee stated that the election to the Lyttelton Harbour Board took place in February last, when the Hon. J. T. Peacock, M.L.C., and Mr Isaac Gibbs were returned, unopposed to represent the Chamber. The Chamber had not ceased for many years in its efforts to obtain a reduction in the rates charged for passengers and merchandise on the Lyttelton-Christchurch line. The Committee arranged a Conference with the members of Parliament for North Canterbury on March 19th, when the matter was fully discussed, all the members present i promising to support the Chamber in its demands for a reduction. The Government - has decided to reduce the tonnage rate one shilling per ton. The Committee, on the receipt of a petition signed by many influen- . tial citizens, wrote the Hon. the Minister for '' r Railways, pointing out the urgent necessity ' of accelerating the speed of passenger trains. , The General Manager replied that it could nob be done without detriment to the service. In addition to the report furnished by this Chamber to the Government last year, for the Secretary of State for the Colonies, showing the value of articles imported into New Zealand from , foreign countries, samples of the articles referred to have been sent to the London Chamber of Commerce. Mr W. Devenish Meares was appointed delegate to represent this Chamber at the Conference which took place in Sydney during . last May. The thanks of the members are due to Mr Meares for attending. Amongst othera, resolutions were passed to assimilate the laws throughout the colonies relating to trade and commerce, the simplification of legal procedure and the codification of mercantile law. Your Commilleo adopted and forwarded these resolutions to the Government, who will consider them in future legislation. The Committee protested strongly against the increased telephone rates. Although it was shown that the increase was a short-sighted and -unbusinesslike policy, op posed to all advanced principles of progress and not warranted by the published accounts, the Government declined to make any concession. A public meeting was convened in the hall of the Chamber, on August 4th, to advocate the establishment of a training ship for colonial youths. Addresses were given by Captains Willis and Marciel, and the meeting decided that steps should be taken to establish a training ship and a Committee was appointed to give effect to the resolution. The President, Mr Waymouth, was granted leave of absence, on April 9th, for the remainder of his term of office, and Mr Roper, Vice-Pre-sident, was appointed to act in his place. The Committee had had under its con- < sideration the best means of increasing the < usefulness of the Chamber, and the extend- •• ing of its influence, and is of opinion that it • would be of advantage to increase the ' number of the Committee, that means should ■ be taken to bring members more in touch i with one another, and that public meetings 1 should be held from time to time, at which ; addresses should be delivered on topics of i general interest. The number of new ] members nominated for election at this < meeting is most satisfactory, and is unprecedented in the history of this Chamber. The balance-sheet showed the receipts . during the year to be £403 7s sd, including ] a balance from last year of £30 4s sd. The expenditure for the same period had been ' £344 7s Id, leaving a balance of £59 0s 4d. ( The President said: — The report ] and. balance - sheet having been placed before you, it affords 'mc much 5 pleasure to move their 'adoption. By ; the report it will be seen that during J the past twelve months. the Chamber ; has been occupied with many sub- . jects of importance, not only to this district, but to the colony at large. The l balance-sheet affords convincing proof that l your Committee, whilst attending to public a business, have not neglected the financial interests of the Chamber. The usual trade J returns have been prepared for your information, and will in due course be published. c With regard to various matters with which I J am about to deal, it will of course be necessary . to use a considerable number of figures ; \ but, being persuaded that when speaking, a 1' subject is not made clearer by introducing statistics which can only be properly understood when carefully and leisurely ex- I amined, I shall on this occasion confine I myself to such returns and estimates as may C be absolutely necessary to illustrate my I meaning. In the first place it will be as well to say a few words about the organisa- J tion to which we belong: the recognition X now accorded throughout the Empire to Chambers of Commerce has had the effect of greatly increasing the scope and value of their work. These bodies being established r for the express purpose of fostering that commercial enterprise which is the foundation of British prosperity, it is essential that „ business men should join their district t . Chamber and by attending its meet- ■ ' ir»g3, and undertaking, when possi- 8 ' ble, the duties of office, do something ° towartis maintaining our commercial supre- J*, macy. Your Committee, being anxious to combine and consolidate the influence of all c the business people of Christchurch, have P resolved to follow the lead of the London o Chamber, and rendei our institution more popular by occasionally inviting the membere to a social gathering at which matters of general interest can be informally die- X cussed. They have also determined that s< when opportunity offers they will arrange n ' for public addresses to be delivered upon O1 matters affecting the commercial welfare of ?' the colony. It has been deemed advisable to increase the number of the Committee. £

This will not only enable more members of the Chamber to take an active part in its work, bat it will also reader it possible for one or more of the Committee to be in attendance at our rooms, at a fixed hour each morning, to meet those who deaire to communicate personally with the Chamber. It ia hoped that these alterations will result in so large an increase of members that the influence of the Chamber will at all times be sufficient to ensure for this district every commercial advantage to which it is entitled. A TRAIXIXG SHIP. In accordance "with the determination to which 1 have referred a public meeting was recently convened by the Chamber for the purpose of discussing the beet means to acquire a training ship for New Zealand. The subject was ably introduced by Captains Willis nri'l M:«ruiei, w«o pointed out tile many advantages that would accrue to the " colony by giving our boys an opportunity to learn seamanship. It would enable those boys to earn nearly £200,000 ftt aiiatun *b*6 i» new Ueiu* paid to torwga-,

era who man the ships engaged in the New 7ealand trade, and eventually those lads would earn far more, for the returns show that our shipping is rapidly increasing ; we had in 1857, 186 vessels of 6662 tons ; 1877, j 532 vessels of 42,790 tons ; 1896, 492 vessels iof 105,555 tons. This, of course, being exclusive of the New Zealand Shipping Company's and Shaw Savill's vessels, which are registered in Great Britain. It was pointed out that the opening up of seamanship as a profession for our lads would enable many of them, who might otherwise become waifs and strays, to find congenial and remunerative employment, and above all, would help to foster that nautical spirit which has done so much to place Great Britain in her present position, and without which no nation can extend its commerce. A resolution affirming the principle that it would be in the best interests of this olony to establish such a training ship was moved by Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, who, although deeply interested in the settlement of our land, considered it essential we should teach some of our people to be sailors so that in the future Aew Zealand would not only be independent of foreigners for the transport of her merchandise, but would if the hour of need arrived be able to supply men who would take their share in the defence of the Empire. The resolution was seconded by his Honour Mr Justice Denniston, who considered that one of the most important functions of the proposed training ship ! would be to rescue lads who, through bad surroundings or an excese of animal spirits, were inclined to go astray. He considered that if these boys were subjected to the healthful discipline of a training ship they would in almost every instance become i worthy members of society. After several other gentlemen had spoken upon the subject the resolution was carried unanimously. A strong Committee was then appointed to consider the matter and take whatever steps they thought advisable to give effect to the resolution. As the proposal has full public sympathy, and is heartily supported by the \ Press, your Committee have every hope that the Government will be induced to take the matter in hand and assist in opening up the nautical profession to the youth of this colony. RAILWAYS. It is satisfactory to find that the efforts of this Chamber to obtain an abatement of charges on the Lyttelton line have at last been partially successful. The reduction of Is per ton on the carriage of merchandise will bring our Port railway charges more in unison with those ruling in other parts of the colony. In compliance with an irifluentiallv signed requisition to this Chamber, a letter was sent to the Minister of Railways, urging that, for the convenience of steamboat passengers and business people, quick through trains should I run every morning and evening between Christchurch and Lyttelton, and that on the Southbridge and Springfield sections the speed of passenger trains should be increased from the present crawling pace of twelve or j thirteen miles an hour to a minimum speed of eighteen miles. The reply received from the General Manager of Railways was to the effect, that as the running of through trains on the Lyttelton section would only result in a saving of six or seven minutes (or in other words about 25 percent, of the time occupied), and as the Springfield and Southbridge services would be impaired by an increase of speed, the Government would not be prepared to give effect to the suggestions' made by the Chamber. This reply betrays such a complete want of appreciation of the value of time to the travelling public that it can only be supposed the letter was written for the purpose of shelving the question, as so many other matters of public interest to Canterbury have been shelved in the past. To bring about the alterations so urgently needed, it will be necessary for our members of Parliament, whose combined action so materially aided the Chamber in obtaining the reduction of goods charges between Chrietohurch and Lytfcelton, to demand, not only a corresponding abatement in the passenger rates on that line, but also an increase in the speed of certain passenger trains on the Lyttelton, Southbridge, and Springfield sections. MAIN - TRUSTS. AND MIDLAND RAILWAYS. The geographical position of Chriatchurch renders it extremely difficult to extend her trade coastwise, and unfortunately the districts to the north and west, with which she shonld have the closest commercial relations, are altogether shut off owing to the noncompletion of the main trunk and midland railways. As the people of Westland, Canterbury, and the Northern districts are all equally anxious for these lines to be completed, surely the day is not far distant when the combined voices of the members representing these districts will be so distinctly heard in the House that it will be deemed inadvisable to further delay the completion of lines that would do more than any other public works to develop the resources of the northern half of the Middle Island. As tho first obligation of a commercial organisation like ours is to foster trade, it is clearly the duty of this Chamber to do its utmost to bring about the construction of these railways. In pursuance of this policy your Committee have resolved that, as soon as it may be expedient, they will call a public meeting at which this momentous question can be fully discussed. COLONIAL FEDERATION. As the subject of Australasian federation is likely to occupy the attention of the public for some time to come, it will not be out of place to convey as briefly as possible some idea of what would be the financial position were New Zealand to federate with Australia. Mr McMillan, a most able exponent of Australian federation, clearly showed in his address to the Sydney Congress of Chambers that the basis of federation must be complete inter-colonial free trade, and that the Federal Council would necessarily take over all customs and excise revenue, undertake the defence of the colonies, the maintenance of quarantines and lighthouses, and administer the post and telegraph services. The Customs revenue being the main source to which the colonies look for the payment of interest on their public debts, it would, in all probability, be necessary for the Federal Government, when taking over the colonial income, to charge itself with the responsibility of paying the interest on these debts. If this were done the .account would stand as follows ; — BSTIMATKD YEARLY EXPENDITURE.

Leaving a deficit 0f... ... £2,299,000 That would have to be made good either by

taking over the railways, which are responsible for a large portion of the public debt, or by each colony or state paying a share proportionate to its population. The question to be asked by New Zealand is to' what extern she would be benefited by joining the proposed federation. Would her defence be improved or her commerce be increased? So far as her defences are concerned, if war were declared against the Empire, it would Ibe her duty and pride, by the aid of her too much neglected Volunteers, to defend herself on shore; and she certainly could not, under such circumstances, expect or accept assistance from the sister colonies, whose resources would be fully taxed in defending themselves. By sea, her interests with those of the Empire would of course be guarded by Britain's magnificent fleet. With regard to our commerce, feara have sometimes been expressed that New Zealand's non-inclusion in the Australasian Federation would possibly militate against her future progress inasmuch as her products might be shut out of the Australian market. In reply to this view it must be remembered that Australian Federation on the lines at present laid down may prove impracticable, or it may be found inexpedient to support a federal council with it 3 separate central boards of administration for Customs, defence, railways, public debts, &c, but even if the six Australian colonies did federate on the basis of complete ioter-freetrade it would still be open to New Zealand, without any sacrifice of her autonomy, to enter into such agreements with United Australia as would ensure not only a free exchange of colonial products an<l complete commercial reciprocity, but also united action in all matters affecting the welfare of the Empire. IMPERIAL FfiT»KRVHON*. Whatever to*/ be the outeoiae of tb«

attempt to form a commonwealth of all Australia, ifc is quite certain that Mr. Chamberlain's tactful treatment of the colonies has had the effect of greatly strengthening the commercial union of the Mother Country and her dependencies. The cordial reception and generous hospitality accorded to the colonial representatives who attended the Jubilee celebrations in London afford ample proof of the high estimation in which the distant nations of the Empire are held by the people of Great Britain. It is a significant fact that in the Jubilee procession the Premiers and troops representing the colonies received a welcome from the people second only in its enthusiasm to that accorded to the Quoen herself. This heartwhole recognition of the colonies has done more to establish the federation of the Empire than any Act of Parliament that could be placed upon our Statute Books, bhould the time ever come for that union to be tested, England will certainly find no reasou to regret the honours she accorded to the colonies during the year of Jubilee. NEW ZEALAND PROGRESS. i Itis impossible toexamine the Australasian statistics without being struck by the increase of population and enormous expansion of trade that have taken place in so short a time that nearly the whole development of theee southern nations has been observed by persons still living. Only sixty years ago the population of Australasia was less then 130,000, and the annual trade was about £2,000,000. To-day the population exceeds 4,300,000, and the total trade amounts to £115,000,000. New Zealand has certainly not been less eutorprising than her sister colonies, for since the signing of the " Waitangi Treaty " in 1840, that memorable year in which the Natives acknowledged British supremacy, the work of colonisation has proceeded with remarkable rapidity. In the following year, when the colony separated from New South Wales, there were already 1200 settlers, and in 1861, noted for the opening up of the Otago goldfields, the population had grown to 99,000, that year's yield of the precious metal being 194,2340z, and the wool exported amounting to 7,855,9201b. In 1881 was maugurated that surprising industry, the frozen meat trade, whichJH commencing with an export in the first year of 15,244c\vt, valued at £17 329, has rapidly grown until in 1895 the export amounted to 1,134,281cwt, valued at £1,262,711, and although, owing to a severe winter, there was a slight falling off in 1896, the export of 729,899cwt in the first half of this year, the largest on record for a similar period, gives evidence of a still further expansion of this important trade. It is satisfactory to find that, in the year ending 30th of June last, the general exports from the colony, valued at £9,341,959, were the largest for the past five years and surpassed the previous year by £161,582. This improvement may be fairly credited to Lyttelton, for her exports exceeded those of the previous year by £162,995, the figures being, for 1895-6 £1,648,523, and for 1896-7 £1,811,518. The colony's export of wool for the past year, amounting to 370,905 bales, shows an increase of 6398 bales over the previous year, and here again it is gratifying to know that this improvement is more than accounted for by the increased export from Canterbury of 6429 bales. Unfortunately any improvement in these exports must be estimated by quantity and not by value, as owing to the low prices now ruling throughout the world the returns of our exports shown in pounds sterling do not really convey a correct idea of our progress. For example 20,928,7591bs of wool exported from Lyttelton in the year ending 30th June, 1893, were valued at £803,381, this year our export of 22,035,5841bs is valued at only £754,080 or about £90,000 less than if sold at the prices ruling in 1893. On reading the various colonial returns one cannot fail to notice the enormous increase that has taken place in the production of wool. The ever-growing demand for this staple is accounted for, by the growth of population in Europe which from 1860 to 1890 amounted to 70,000,000 or 25 per cent. These extra millions of people not only increased the demand for wool, but they lessened the local supply by using for agricultural purposes land that previously had been devoted to grazing sheep, the number of sheep decreasing during the quoted period by 37,000,000, or 16 per cent. Nothing probably will convey a better idea of the enterprise of the people of this colony than a review of the expenditure that has taken place on public works during the lost twenty-five years. From 1870 to 1896 the colony spent on—

It must be remembered that at the time this expenditure commenced New Zealand ! contained only about half its present population, and that even now, with over ( 700,000 white people, more than half of whom, , by the way, are New Zealand born, only '. 300,000 are bread winners. One of the ' results of this heavy expenditure on public ' works has been the creation of a public debt that is of course large in proportion to the population, the average being £60 per head , as compared with £15 per head in Great Britain. Fortunately this debt is not so burdensome as might at first sight appear, J for apart from amounts, spent on lands that have been more or lese remunerative, a large proportion of the money, viz., £17,526,169 ] was expended on directly reproductive works such as railways, telegraphs and ( water works, which pay a fair interest on the cost of construction. But the true set off to our debt is the colony's wealth— public and private—which really owes its j existence to the borrowed capital that was i expended in developing the resources of the country. ■ This wealth consists of public property valued at £45,000,000, and private i wealth estimated at £170,000,000, including \ such items as— i Land buildings and improve- , tnents ... ... ... £96,066,000 t Livestock ... ... ... 15,299,000 j Produce and merchandise ... 14,408,000 ~ Furniture and household goods 8,938,000 ( The total private wealth being equal in all < to £238 per head of populution, an average ( certainly surpassed in Great Britain but \ unequalled by any foreign nation. It j is satisfactory to find that, although c our public debt has increased, taxation ia lighter now than it was years ago. In 1882 the sum contributed per head was \ £3 16s 10d ; last year it was £3 7s Id, an amount that cannot be considered unduly ( oppressive when it is remembered New Zea- c landers occupy the enviable position of c enjoying the largest average income of any ( people in the world, their average being £41 ac comp&red with £39 in the United States, \ £33 7s in the United Kingdom, £27 8s in France, £22 in Germany, £19 in Switzerland a and £11 5s in Russia. Not only have we h the largest income, but the co3t of living has i fortunately become less as will be seen by comparing the prices paid for provisions by t the old settlers with the cost of similar f< articles to-day. For example, in 1864 t bread cost 3£d per lb, beef and s mutton B|d, sugar 6d, tea 3s, fresh a butter 2s, cheese Is 4d, and milk 6d \ per qnart. Now, nearly all these neeessa- h ries can be bought for less than half those fi prices, and yet, notwithstanding the cheap- t ness of provisions, we spend annually more b money for food, drink and clothing, &c, n than any other people in the world, our t average being £35 6? Id a? compared with £32 16a 2d in the United States, £29 14s 9d m in the United Kingdom, £23 19s 4d in France, and £20 3s 2d in Germany. These a facts suffice to show how great has been r> New Zealand's progress, a progress which h has not bsen properly realised either £ here, where pessimism has been too much the fashion, or even in the old coun- tl try, although there the struggle for exist- t ence is so keen that the return for industry is often insufficient to satisfy legitimate wanto.

When New Zealand's trne position ie really understood not paly will there be more contentment among our present settlers, but that/ contentment will be chared by thousands of email capitalists who will only too gladly migrate to a conntry where they can be assured of a fair return both tot then , moiTjv nn>\ for their lnbour. Mr A. "Katk Mid that Iμ hod great

pleasure in seconding the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. They would agree with him that the address of the President was one of the greatest possible interest, the more so as the President had

taken over the duties of the office at short notice from Mr VVaymouth, and had fulfilled the duties in a moat

admirable manner. (Applause.) They would all agree with him that the new departure made by the Committee that day was a success. (Applause.) It was due to the energy of their President, and he could only commend it. He had been told whilst in England that the idea of holding a dinner previous to the meeting had been found to be a success. .Hβ hoped to see the general meetings of the Chamber held, say, on the first Friday in every month, when they could discuss the topics of the day. As to the acceleration of the speed of the trains referred to by the President, he was unable to see how the Government could not see that the saving of time meant a great deal to business men. It seemed to him that i the Government were conducting their railways on the old style instead of the more modern method. Aβ to the training ship matter he need only say that the Chamber was only too ready to take up any subject of importance to the community generally. The Chamber was going to show that it was a real live organisation, and always ready to take up a matter of interest whether brought forward by a member of the Chamber or a citizen of Chrietchurch. He now begged to second the adoption of the report and balance sheet. The motion was then put and carried. A special general rneetiug was then held to alter the rule with regard to the number of members of Committee, increasing it from nine to fifteen. Mr G. T. Booth moved—" That the be altered to read that the number of the '■* Committee be increased from nine to fifteen." He explained that this' was a resolution which had been accepted by the Committee. Mr W. Rkkck seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The special meeting then terminated. The election of officers was then proceeded with, as under :~Prosidenb, Mr B. W. Roper; Vice-President, Mr George Gould; Committee, Messrs G. T. Booth, E. C. Brown, W. Chrystall, J. A. Frostick, Isaac Gibbs, S. Hartley, A. K&ye, G. Lambie, W. D. Meares, H. Quane, W. Recce, If. G. Sinims, A. H. Tutnbull, F. Waymouth, W. Wood; Auditors, Messrs R. O. Biehop and W. T. Charlowood.

The Pkbsidknt brought forward the subject of making Chrietchurch the capital of the northern part of the Island by the completion of the West Coast railway, and the extension of communication to the North as had been done to the South. He pointed out that, if this were done, Christchurch would be the capital of this part of New Zealand; and he urged upon the members of the Chamber the necessity which existed for them taking a step which would make Christchurch the capital of the west and northern portions of this island. By pushing on the construction of the West Coast railway and also connecting themselves with the Northern part of this island, Christchurch would become what he

felt she ought to be, alike from her situation and surroundings, the capita] of this part of the island. By ca\rying out the works to which he had alluded they would be able to take up a position which was justly and rightly theirs, and they would find accruing therefrom a very large increase, not alone of population but of their commerce and trade. He most strongly hoped that Canterbury would wake up and endeavour to get what was really their due by the communication with the Weat Coast of this island, which with the com-

munication to the North must eventually result in Christchurch becoming the capital of this part of the island. (Cheers.) Mr w. L. Parsons said on behalf of the newly elected members he desired to return their thanks to the Chamber. He thought that they were greatly indebted to the President for having brought so prominently before the public the necessity for united action in the matter of improved communication in the north and vvest. By getting the communication with Maryborough they would find at once thousands of sheep coming forward to be frozen. Mr G. T. Booth said he desired to move a very hearty vote of thanks to the President for his admirable address. He thought! they were on the eve of a change, which would be greatly for the benefit o£ the colony. Whatever others might- say the bimetallists were going to have their way. He felt sure that the change whioh was coming would result in the colony reaping great benefits from the increase in the price of produce. There was no doubt about it that they were on the eve of a change, which would be of the greatest possible benefit to the producers of the oolony at large. He had very great pleasure in proposing a very hearty vote of thanks to the President for the exceedingly, able address he had given. The motion was seconded and agreed to. Mr J. R. Taioqs moved a vote of thauka to the auditors. Mr Geo. Humphreys seconded the motion, and in doing so took the opportunity to point out that bimetallism wae » matter which had not to be decided by a colony like ours, but by the great nations of the world. So far as the West Coast railway was concerned he hoped to see the Chamber take up the matter and urge it most energetically. There were 40,000 [ people on the West Coast, and in any other part of the world two communities like them- < selves and the West Coast would have been I connected long ago. MrC. W. TcjRNBB said that he hoped that the Chamber would not lose sight of the West, Coast Railway. The construction of this line would mean the development of the mineral resources of the West Coast in a manner whioh had never even been - ap> 1 proached before. He hadlioped that more would have risen to have supported the remarks of the President, whose energy and enthusiasm would, he felt sure, do great good to the Chamber. Aβ one of the old members of the Chamber, dating back to the sixties, he desired to thank the President for the admirable and instructive addresa he had given them. Mr W. D. Meaer3 sattrthat he had always entertained the strongest possible feeling in favour of the West Coast Railway. One of the first things the Railway League had to do when it was appointed was to oppose the expenditure oi money in the direction of connecting Blenheim with Christchurch. It was a very moot point whether this would be of use to Christchurch, but what he thought ought to be done was to advocate most strongly the construction of the West Coast railway. This, he thought, was" what would be of the greatest possible advantage to the commerce . of Canterbury as a whole. The motion was then put and agreed to. The President briefly responded to the vote of thanks accorded to him. Mr W. D. Mkabes moved—"That tbe Chamber reaffirms the advisablenese of continuing its efforts in the direction of obtaining the construction of the West Coast railway." Mr Geo. Humphreys seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

The Pkksidknt said he had reoeived an apology from Mr W. Chryetall, who would have spoken on this matter had he not been indisposed. Mr Mkabbß then moved—" That a depetation be appointed to wait on the Minister for Railways at the first available opportunity with a view of getting much more speedy communication between Canterbury and the West Coast, and on other lines. When he had agitated this matter before he had pointed out that a party came down from Springfield on bicycles quicker than the train, and he might now state that the mails between Christcnurch and Hokitika were not conveyed now as quickly as they used to be when taken wholly by coach. Mr W. Rbkoe seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr A. Kαyk gave notice of motion for the alteration of rules which would result in the reduction of the subscription for town memhers from £3 3s to £2 2s and from £2 2s to £1 Is for country members. The President thanked the members for their attendance, and the proceedings terminated.

Interest on. Australasian debts... £3,628,000 Expense of Federal Government 470,000 Collection of Customs and excise 250,000 Loss on Post and Telegraph services ... ... ... 150,000 Navigation and quarantine ._ 100,000 Defence .„ ... ... 550,000 £10,128,000 nEVEN'UB. Customs and excise ... ... 7,829,000

Railways ... ... ... £15,099,677 Immigration ... ... 2,146,644 Purchase of lands ... ... 1,297,854 Lighthouse and harbour works, &c.— Harbour defence .„ .« 917,513 Contingent defence .„ .„ 434,719 Telegraphs... ... ... 734,560 Development of goldfields ... 587,650 Public Dnildinga ... ... 2,021,429 Coal mines ... ... ... 10,835 Thermal springs ... ... 14,600 Departmental public works ... 389,142 Roads and bridges ... ... 3,982,728 Expense of raising loans „. 1,026,823 £28,664,179