CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10863, 12 January 1901, Page 8

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE CONFERENCE.

| CONCLUDING SITTING. j DIXNER TO THE DELEGATES. The Chambers of Commerce Conference i-esumed business o'clock-yesterday mornin_v -Mr William Wood presiding. Mr S. S. Griffiths (Wanganui) moved a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr Hirsch for . his very "able and interesting paper on j "Commercial Education." The motion was ; carried after Mr A. S. Paterson and others had spoken eulogistically regarding the paper. ■■ COMMISSIONS. Mr E. O. Hurley (Palmerston North) read a paper on **itegulating the Payment of Commissions-" At the conclusion of his paper Mr Hurley moved—"That the time has arrived when the whole question of the earuing and payment of commissions should be regulated by special legal enactment." Mr S. to. Griffiths seconded the motion.

Mr F. Waymouth (Canterbury) supported the proposition, considering that some regulation was certainly necessary. Mr Hurley replied, giving instances of legal dispute and secret commission, which wtre reprehensible. Mr H.rsch 'Jfalmerston North) also spoke, and the motion was put and carried. Mr E. W. Roper (Canterbury) said that while on this matter he would like it to be a recommendation from the Conference to the Central Committee to form a scale of commission charges for the whole colony. Mr R. T. Wheeler (Dunedin) said lie thought, now they had decided to set up a Central Committee, there were matters wh.ch might well be relegated to this Committee, and the matter Mr Roper mentioned was one of them.

Mr W. Chrystail (Canterbury) said he did not think it advisable to ask the Central Committee •to draw up a scale of commission charges for the colony ; the question was a wiae one.

i Messrs Hirsch and Griffiths spoke on the ; matter, and after Mr Roper had replied, in i the course of his remarks expressing the | desire to avoid anomalies, the motion was '• carried. j ARBITRATION. ! Mr Hirsch moved that it be a recom--1 ruendation to the federated Chambers of : Commerce that provision bo made in the. i constitution of tlie Federated Chambers of Coii_niere9 to enable the Federated Chamber, on application of one of the parties interested in a business dispute, to appoint j an arbitrator to adjudicate upon the mat- ' ter.

it was pointed out that such a provision existed now in the Canterbury Chamber's by-laws. Several members* spoke, the motion being eventually carried.

j REDUCTION OF CUSTOMS DUTIES WITHOUT NOTICE. I Mr Ro_3er alluded to the unfortunate acj tiou of ihe Government in altering the cis- - ! toms duties recently. There was a neces--1 i sary distinction between the increase and j decrease- of duties, and the decrease lately i .■ made had been a serious Joss to many bu&i- ---! ness men. He had been one of a deputa- ! tion to wait on the Premier, who did not j see the matter in the right light. It was ; v real injustice to penalise any nolu-r of • goods who had paid custeir-- duue« in jjfjod ! iaith. He moved — "That the Confer-' I ence expresses a hope that the Government I will not in future cause reductions or remissions of duties to be brought into effect without due notice, as such action is the cause of serious loss to large numbers of business people who happen to hold stocks upon which the higher duties have been paid. The Conference is of opinion that at least six months' notice should be given ot proposed reductions." Mr Griffiths seconded the motion, alluding to special cases of hardship in the importation of kerosene. Messrs N. Reid, Chrystall, and Waymouth also spoke in support of the resolution, which was carried. LONG-DISTANCE TELEPHONING. Mr R: T. Wheeler moved, and Mr D. R. 1 Caldwell seconded—"That this Conference represent to the Hon. the Postmaster-Gene-ral that it would be * convenience to the public if it was arranged that the telephone wires were open for their use some time during the night, between the principal towns of the North and South Islands, say, Wellington, Napier, Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill. After some discussion the motion was carried. RAILWAY PASSENGER TRAFFIC ON BRANCH LINES. The Secretary read the following letter, under date January 9th: —"We beg most respectfully to call the attention of the members of the Conference of the Chambers of Commerce to the question of the railway passenger train service on the branch lines, which the Canterbury Chamber brought under the notice of the previous Minister of Railways over two years ago, with a view to having the'same accelerated to harmonise more with the times and the requirements of the travelling public. Mr Cadman at that time led the deputation from your Chamber to believe that the matters complained of would be remedied as soon as some additional engines and rolling stock were obtained. As nothing has been done, we can only suppose that the matter has been lost sight of by the Department, hence our request that your Conference will urge the Hon. Mr Ward to have the passenger service on the branch lines considerably accelerated, and otherwise improved at the earliest date possible.—We are, yours faithfully, E. G. Staveley, R. Hardie, A. H. Turnbull, Isaax. Gibbs, Archibald Scott, C. , W. Turner." Mr F. Waymouth moved—"That the matter of the speed of trains on branch lines of railways be brought under the notice of the Minister of Railways, with a view to urging him to bring about acceleration as early as possible." The mover said, in the absence of Mr A. 'H. Turnbull, the Chairman had asked him to introduce this matter. It was certainly necessary and desirable that the sp_ed on some of the branch lines should be accelerated. Mr Chrystall reminded the Conference that the Hon. Mr Ward had been approached on the subject, and had, while recognising the desirability of improvement being effected, informed the deputation that no money was at present available. - Mr Roper went into the matter at some length. It was, he said, a source of^constant irritation, a constant loss of time and money, and a crying shame, that they should have a railway seii'viee averaging twelve miles an hour. He thought good might be done by bringing the mutter under tlie Hon. Air Ward's notice. The best engineers now contended that a higher rate of speed was more economical than a lower rate for locomotives. After others had spoken, 'Mr Wavmouth, ! in replying, also alluded to the. great ineoni venience caused to merchant* and business ; men through the shortage of rolling stock. | The motion was carried. j TERMS OF CREDIT. j Mr A. S. Paterson, on behalf of the Dnni edm Chamber, moved—"That it being under- ; stood that the terms of trading and credit adopted by the Associated Chambers as sf.t forth in the Canterbury Chamber's schedule ; on May 31st, 1889, while on the whole wellobserved throughout the colony, are not j equally so in all districts, the Conference resolves to place on record its strong opinion that the maintenance of the terms is of great value to trade, and that a general relaxing of them will be disastrous. Further, that the Conference recommends individual ChamI hers to endeavour to strengthen the observance of the terms within their district, and also to consider whether any modifications are called ior, and. if so, to bring them to the notice of the Central Committee at Wellington so that any changes may be made uni- . formly throughout the colony." Mr Chrystall seconded. Several delegates spoke on the question, and the motion was • carried. ; IMEDICAL INSPECTION OF STEAMERS. I Mr Nicholas Reid (Wellington) moved ; that the Conference desires to call the attention of the Government to the serious loss of time entailed upon steamship owners by the present system of medical inspection, and would urge that examination be adopted, ! whereby the inspections may be made . promptly upon vessels arriving. , Mr Turnbull seconded the motion, which t wa3 carried. . j E> r D OF THE PROCEEDINGS. j Mr Geo. Booth moved, Mr Wheeler

seconded, and it was agreed that the Canterbury Chamber be asked to attend to the editing, printing, and circulating of the report of th.. Conference. On the motion .of Mr S. S, Griffiths, seconded by Mr Caldwell, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Christchurch Press for their full report- of the proceedings of the Conference. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the President of the Conference (Mr William Wood) on Mr Hurley's motion, a__d a vote of thanks was given to the Canter bury. Chamber, on Mr Caldwell's motion. The proceedings then terminated. DINNER AT FREEMAN'S.

Last evening the delegates were entertained at a dinner irf Freeman's by the Canterbury Chamber. Mr William Wood, President of the Canterbury Chamber, occupied the chair, and was supported by Mr S. S. Griffiths (Wanganui), and Mr W. Recce (Mayor of Christchurch). The attendance numbered between forty and fifty. At the conclusion of dinner at"9.30, the Chairman proposed the toast of "the Queen." "Trade and Commerce' followed, proposed by Mr William Wood. In doing so he said none could deny that it was the heritage of their race to be traders. The soldier, sailor, and trader had gone hand in hand; the history of their commerce was the history of their Empire. What more did they want than prosperity to their commerce. " He alluded to the fact that the Hon. Mr Peacock, who was present, was an original member of the first Canterbury Chamber of Commerce in 1859. He was sorry Mr D. R. Caldwell (Auckland) was unable, to be present, but his fellow-delegate from Auckland (Mr A. B. Robertson) was present, with whose name he would couple tne toast. Mr Robertson, in replying, alluded to"what a happy family the Conference had been. Hs felt some diffidence as a young member in getting up before so many of his seniors in commerce. Mr Caldwell would, he was sure, have done much better. Their President, MrW. Wood, had worked very hard, and the association of the Chambers now aimed at Avould enable them to work more in unison. He regretted that militarism was robbing commerce of some 'of r their best youths, who should have taken the places of the older commercial men who were passing out of the ranks of commercial life. Mr A. S. Paterson (Dunedin) proposed the toast, "The City of Christchurch." His fel-low-delegates would be pleased to drink the toast with .him. Christchuroh men would drink it with pleasure also, because he found they loved their city. Personally, he was very fond of Christchurch, and he thought all the delegates had enjoyed their visit. Fifty years ago Christchurch was a very small affair, but to-day they were in suoh prosperity that they had nearly everything the heart of man could desire. The recent Jubilee celebrations must have struck down the roots of their affection still deeper in their love for their city. In nothing was Christchurch more fortunate than in her Jubilee Mayor—(apjdause)—and he would couple his name with the toast. The Mayor's health was drunk with musical honours.

_\ir Recce thanked them for so kindly drinking Ciiristchurch's health, and the references to himself. They recognised they had not the natural advantages of Dunedin, Auckland, or Wellington, but they had done their bast in the short time since the city was first settled. They had been chaffed about the "City of the Plains," it was certainly an ideal place for cyclists. As a member of the Chamber of Commerce he had watched the work the Congress had done, and could appreciate it. As to progress in the past, he did not think it would compare in any way with the progress they were going to moke in tha future. (Applause.) Mr E*. 0. Harley (Palmerston North) proposed "Local Industries." Every man in a community benefited by the successful starting of local industries; more local industries meant fewer unemployed and greater benefit to the colony as a whole. He thought the Christchurch people gave a good object lesson of their energy and industry in their Exhibition. He would propose the toast, coupled with Mr Turnbull's name.

Mr A. H. Turnbull said, as a business man, connected with local industries, they would not expect much from him. Their country's industries compared very favourably with those of other countries considering their age. He did not think the country would ever become a large manufacturing country, but he hoped the present state of things might continue so that the producers continued to get a fair return. The rates of wages were higher and hours of labour fewer in New Zealand than elsewhere. He was in favour of the eight hours' day, and the present yood condition? l . The artisan, he would like to say, must, however, remember that to maintain these corditions a fair day's work must be given for a fair day's wage, and much was expected oi them. The speaker briefly referred to electricity and its powers; he hoped to see it in the future utilised fully —finding the power for driving railway trains between Christchurch and Dunedin amon£*fc other things. (Applause.) Mr E. G. Staveley proposed "The New Zealand Parliament." In doing so he said the members present- were men of whom they might all ba proud. The Hon. C. C. Bowen, in replying, alludsd to the example set by the Trade Congress which had just been sitting, of order and con.is.ness; it could hardly have taken its lesson from the Legislature. (Laughter.)

The Hon. J. T. Peacock also briefly replied to the toast, and was followed by Messrs C. Lpwi**, G. Laurenson, and H. G. Ell, on behalf of the House of Representatives. Mr i*'. Waymouth proposed the "Agricultural and Pastoral Association," coupled with the name of Mr G. Jameson (President). The foundation of all commercial matters was the products of the soil, and without agricultural and pastoral pursuits he was afraid the commercial men would be nowhere. They could not have a more worthy representative head than Mr Jameson. (Hear, hear.) Mr Jameson, whose health was drunk with musical honours, replied suitably, extolling the favourable circumstances they now worked under as compared with the situation of the early settlers. The speaker also alluded to the great benefits to the country by the introduction of freezing machinery. Mr E. W. Roper proposed the health of the President, Mr William Wood. Most of the toasts had been abstract ones; it was his pleasure to deal with a personal one. He had great pleasure in testifying to Mr Wood's excellent work and kindliness and tact in the conduct of the Congress. He thought that possibly the unforunate legislation which nearly brought about the extinction of the Chambers of Commerce had brought them into closer touch, and the benefit of their wwk would, yet be seen. He considered Mr Wood had been privileged in presiding over such a gathering. (Hear, hear.) Mr Wood thanked them very kindly; it "had been a very great plensure to him to preside at this Congress. They were greatly indebted to the delegates from other parts for the success of the conference, and he hoped when it came to Christehurch's turn to send delegates to other parts to a conference of Chambers of Commerce, they might be as worthy representatives. (Applause. )

During the eveninp songs were contributed by Messrs Millar, B. S. Collier, Antill Adley, and a duet by Messrs Miliar and Collier.

The jproceedings closed at 11.30 p.m., with "God save the Queen."