CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12896, 30 August 1907, Page 10

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

4 ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS

The mmml meeting of tho members of tho Canterbury Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday. Mr E. 0. Steveley, President, occupied the chair, and there waa a good attendance. Messrs C. F. Thomee, S. "\V. Thornton, H. Adamson, Selwyn Bruce, F. Paul, P. N. Adams end W. G. Brass wore elected members. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE. In the report, tho committee, speaking of commorcial education, stated that almost simultaneously with the decieion of the committee to toko so mo action with regard to the commercial system in tho iStute schools, in viow of the want of knowledge in commercial arithmetic, and tho bad specimens of band-writing cent in by applicants for positions in offices, the committee received a communication from tho Director of tho Technical Classes, who forwarded a etatoment of the work done by the London Chamber of Commerce and other bodice. A eiib-coni-initteo advertised for applicants for n position, end held in examination, at which twelve youths attended. Unfortunately, tho desired object w«s not Bk obtained, ac nearly all the applicants had already luld positions in offices, 0 whereas it was hoped to havo only m those who hid just left school. The W Chamber was asked to give its opinion

on the merits of tho proposed reform in the spoiling of about SCO words of tho language, some examples being the following:—Tho, thru, thoro, thruout, nolej. Tho opinion was expressed that tho proposed reform would certainly not bo suitable for general business purposes. The following weights 01 standard samples of grain had been fixed by the Produce Sectional Committee for the season, but qwin£ to tho short yield, it wgr not oxpectcd that there would be any great amount exported: —Wheat. Tuscan (321b, Hunter's 611b, Pearl 611b; Oate. Danish 381b, Dun 381b,, Garten A 411b, Gorton B 391b, Canadian 411b, Sparrowbill 391b. Tt was a matter of great satisfaction to tho Chamber, which had consistently supported it, that a weekly' mail service via Suez had now been instituted. In connection with tho proposed Vancouver mail service, it was proposed that Wellington should be the port of call, as this would mean more rapid distribution of mails throughout tho colony. Tho Wellington Chamber was also nskod to support the suggestion. The Chamber had been asked to send a delegate to go before the Extension of Commerce Committee at Wellington, (is to tho most suitable eizo of cornsneks. Tho Produce Committee, after consideration, had concluded that:— (a) If any change be found requisite, the 44 x "fij inch sack is best for .generally useful purposes; (b) Ajiy restriction should bo as regards tho weisht of contents of sack, tho size being left to tho discretion of tfio users: (c> No limitation is required «s to weight (except, perhaps, in the caeo of such produce <is wheat, beans, and pens'), which weigh fiOlb por bushel. The balance-sheet showed a credit bilaiico of £73 12e 4d. THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS. In moving tho adoption of the report and balance sheet, tho president quoted tho following figures for tho year ending June 30th last, as an index to the growing prosperity of tho district and colony:— PORT OF LYTTELTON. Imports Exports £ £ 11)06 ... 2.2.'().'231 2,920.074 3907 ... 2,725,837 2.914,144 Increase -175.G0G Decrease .5,930 NEW ZEALAND AS A WHOLE. 190G ... 13,800,0+2 17,700,815 1907 ... 1G.311,8.j4 19,496,249 Increase Increase 2,412,312 1,795,434

Tin? president went on to remark, as showing tho value of our agriculturnJ and pastoral industry, that no less than £16,859,730 was derived fr>m that source. Now, while fully intending to oljservo tho traditions of the ChamIyer in keeping clear of all party politics, he could not refrain fron , pointing t<> one momentous eign in the prevailing tendency to reduce all pastoral holdings. It vas a truism that tho merino sheep was the foundation of our fine flocks, and consequently of tho reputation which Canterbury had attained for its prime mutton". It was equally true that merino flocks could not br> profitably arid adequately maintained upon small areas, so as to provide for tho annual supply of ewes. newßfiary for the breeding operations of those who rais»xl o n .r supplies of prime holfbrods inJ crossbred* for export, lie therefore took that opportunity to son ml n note of warning, agaipttho enh-division of grazing properties into blocks which might not be sufficient in area to accomplish tho objects ho h:\d mentioned. • He spoke with an intimate knowledce of tho sheep industry hero, extending over 'JO j«\irs. In wool they had been favourod with a record year, both as regarde] weight r<f clip and prices for nil qualities. Tho outlook was pood, and there wore at present no si'cns of any falling off in the demand With tho fine winter they had had, the coming clip should fully equal its preilot'oesor in yield an;l condition. Tho speaker quoted the following figures:— THE WOOL CLir. Weight Value lb. £ 1898 143,179.103 4.651,603 1907 165.227,ij28 7.529,188 As in Australia, tho auction sales here were yearly increasing in size and importance. " In the former, threofourtlis of the total clip, and in this colony, nearly one-lin!f, was now disposed* of by that menus. The New Zealand wool clip for 1903 was 415,000 bales, and for l?f)7, 427.000. an increase of 12,000 hales, valued at about £'_'00.000. The- following figures were quoted : — CANTERBURY EXPORTS OF WOOL. li'GG. IiXJ/. Bales. Bales From Lytte'ton ... SO.SW 79.G1G From Timaru ... 32,b'01 31.9G-1 Total ... ... 113,191 111,580 Decrease ... 1,614 These figures applied only to shipments to places oiitaido tho colony, and

there wue, in addition, a certain quauuty bou&ht by woollen uniis ami siiippt'd ooaustwise. -No strouger exaiuyie of ttie fertility or tnis little country was alioided than by its export ot frozen meat. It was wonderiul trwt they coaid annually send out about one-fourth of their flocks, of a quality which comaiandv<l tho highest i prices, and yet maintain the numW of Itihoop, which by latest returns stood at jovor twenty millions. As regards I "Prime Canterbury," however, it was instructive to note that the difference in itd value, compared with tho Auei tralian and North Lsland products, was j not so marked as heretofore. No 'doubt their progressive farming friends j would take steps to remedy this, and rostoro thoir former stntus in the world's markets. Before long he hoped Ito eeo the colonys meat die-posed of in Germany. Canada and Japan. With- ; out quoting statistics, ho might say , that it wa*T gratifying to note that the- ; dairy indiistrv maintained its standard iof quality, and that qmmtity showed jno diminution. Tho tendency at preIsent appeared to bo the production of I more cbe«so than formerly, while no<t .reducing to any extent tho amount of butter. ,\s regards yields, Canterbury had (vsporionrod a ''loan' , year, owing to the abnormally dry sea.son. The comparison for tho colony w«vs <ns follows: — 1907. 100 C Biush. Hush. jTTheat, per acre ... 27.18 30.00 jOats. per acre ... 31.83 35.80 [Barley, ppr acre ... 31.50 .TI.oJ The" out-turn was stated as follower — Bush. Bush. Wheat .. 5,W)0,1XW 0,798,9:50 Oats 11.201,000 12,708,000 i Barley !.. 1,0124.000 Exports had beoii on a much reduced ec;ilo, and if btr.iietics wort> _ reliauio, the- colony did not hold more tnan sulh|ci«nt wheat for ite own coiis'iinpt on. .\Kric:i!tiiral operations have been con- ' ' ;)■•<] it np;u\Ufd probable that tho area in grain this year woukl bo iws than last. Good .lii.i iUi.-u seonied likely to coutiuue. It might 1» interesting to note tho conit.aiiUivc '"> twecn now and ton years suico. Uie figures were:— ■VTheat. Arrcfi. Bush. 18P7 ... 315.801 S.fwO.Offl 11006 ... ••• 20G,15") o.GOo.OfiO i Oats. 1897 ... Hot.Sin 9,788.000 1906 .".' ■•• 3r>l,[)'2O 11,201,000 Barley. ISO 7 '29.920 700.871 1906 .'.'.' ... 33,30-T 1.033.3-16 The speaker gave ono moro small comparison less generally known, showin" the iivr-rago prioe of wheat in England for 300 years pa.st. In tho year IGOo the price was 3os 10J p<>r qnnjter, in 1705 30s per quarter, in 1805 87e l<i per quarter, in l!) 05 30s 5d per quarter, while in tho year 1800 it reached the extreme limit of 130s per quarter. Tho valuo to-day was about 365. In connection with wheat and of flour, ho hoped thnt tho duties would not be removed. Apart from the milling industry, tho grain trade of Canterbury liao. extensivo ramifications, affecting the farmers, particularly the smaller ones, and tho local implement manufacturers and others, who were considerable employers of labour under the present Bystom of mixed farming. In fact, it was no misnomer to describe their own district as the "Granary of New Zealand." (Applause). After souio twenty years of dilatory progress, it was gratifying to record that the Midland Railway, which tocmed with importance to tho trading and producing community, and had always been strongly supported by itie Chamber, was at last nearing the final stages. Hβ made merely a short ailusion to it, because no doubt .viv Quane, chairman oi their Midland Itaiiway Committee, would taJte occasion to supplement ties© remarks, and ho might add that ho was entitled to thoir thanks for his devotion to this object. While doubtless there might be many anomalies in the new scale of duties, even after it had passed the final stages, it was satisfactory to find that, after setting up a special committee to deal with the subject, to which a largo amount of time and attention were devoted, practically all their recommendations wore given effect to. While on this subject, he desired to say tlxit ho hoped to fieo the day when tho lit. Hon. Joseph Chamberlain's echemo of preference between Great Britaiji and her outlying possessions, as against foreign rivals, mignt bo carried out. (Applause). They were indebted to the ireinier for hie advocacy of this at the recent Premier's Conference in London, and generally for the able manner in which he acted as the representative of New Zealand. 4

At their last annual meeting they carried a resolution in support of tiie Lyttelton Harbour Board obtaining competent expert advice as to the feasibility and cost of the Sumner Canal project. Since then Mr Wilson, ot Messrs Coodo, Son and Matthews, had vLsitod thorn, and made a careful inspection of tho locality. His report was awaited with the greatest interest by all sections of the mercantile ana producing community. Until it cam*. , to hftnd, discussion on tho subject would be futile. As somewhat oo<jjjat«to this subject, ho might just mention tho Harbour Boards Bill now before the House, wherein it was proposed to do away with representatives of theso Chambers on Harbour Boards. tor many years past they had had tho privilege of electing two members, inaiij of whom hud proved able chairmen *i tho Lyttelton Harbour Board, and it was diilicult to tninK of more nuivable men for the position tnan those having large interests in tho importing, exporting and shipping trade. 'Ihey had ventured to protest against t-nis provision in tho BiU, and in doing so ho felt sure tho committee had tiu support of members.

The Lyttclton railway rates were a subject which should be worn thro.iubaro by now. Yet, despite changes 01 administration, it appeared almost hopeless to convince tiie official mum of the injustice under which Canterbury had suffered in this respect ior many years. The lion. 11. F. \Yigram, M.L.C., had lately devote/] considerableattention to it, and had the support of other Canterbury members. With his and thoir united efforts, he hoped that the tables of figures, which ho had had prepared, showing the- comparative rates between the chief towns of tfio colony and their ports, might result in securing for tho trading and producing community of North Canterbury tho fair treatment which to the ordinary layman it appeared that they are entitled to. Ho was advised that a ooputation of Canterbury members worn* wait upon tho Premier this week in connection therewith.

Wbiio admitting that recently they had been better served as regarded their Communications with the Mother Country, and especially so since tfieinauguration of the weekly mail, Wellington to Sydney, yet ho hoped members would agree with him that no reusonable expanse should be spared to set up an "All lied" route via Vancouver, which in many ways mii-t giro advantages that no other could. (Applause). He trusted that, siiould t eventuate, it might be practicable to provide eteamers with a certnin amount of refrigerated space to assist them in developing the trade with Cauaua. While on these matter.s, he couJj not refrain from expressing an earnest hope that every commercial man would realise tho wisdom and equity of sup-I'-OTiiiig a more liberal contribution from this colony towards the upkeep of the navy, in preference to attempting to set up a "tinpot flotilla" of their own. (Applause). Thero remained little now to be said (or seen) about the New Zealand In-

ternational Exhibition. It wae satisfactory to hear from high authorities that the result financially would not amount to any serious lose. As yet they could not estimate the benefits, direct or indirect, that were likely to accrue. Personally, ho l>ehrved they would be considerable. From an educative standpoint the outcome must u> niont beneficial, and toe commercial and other relations between themselves and other parts of the Empire shou» u be benefited. It gave to the Chamber the opportunity to hold a gathering or the most distinguish.-a an( * representative men in commerce, science, anu art, who had ever met together m New Zealand, in a welcome to the Oversea Commissioners. Touching on other matters that had occupied t.ie attention of their committee, ho mifiht mention that their thanks were due to the postal authorities, for the great improvement lately shown in the prompt delivery of telegrams. They wore also under an obligation to the Mayor and Council and police for tne vastly better control and regulation of their*street traffic, more particularly at that "danger spot"—tho Bank corner in High street. They wore n.sked to support an alteration in the construction of sheep trucks, whereby they should open at the ends instead of the sides, and fo permit of continuous loading or discharge throughout tho train. Tho plan was attractive, and had nrlvantngos when dealing with long trains of .stock direct from one station to the freezing works, as in Australia, but in Canterbury the conditions were different, and for this reason, and on the score of tho large expenditure required to effect the change, tho committee did not approve of tho proposal. He briefly called attention to the Companies Act, whereby one person was practically enabled to convert himsou into a "limited liability company," and trado as if ho wero a corporation. Another innovation of a wider scopo was the proposed appointment of liritish <o:niiK'rciiil to tho colonies by tho Home Government. Prohnltiy my stop that tended to promote closer trrwlo relations between ourselves ami tho Mother Country was a move in the right direction, provided that tho gontlemen appointed took a broad view of tho interests involved on both sides. It wn*: most gratifying to record a time of sound prosperity. With tho figures ho had laid before tlirm it could hanuv be otherwise. Trado was good, and bankruptcies threatened to be as extinct as the dodo. The demand tor land, especially for good, productive rural properties, was nowise eatisnea, and building operations •in the city and tho suburbs proceeded apace. The immediato future seemed assured, and it was hard to discover any signs of change from their present prosperous conditions, but ono would Ixj unduly sanguine to expect that those wouJd last for evor.

In conclusion, tho President eaitl ho retired from tlio office with a feeling of regret—felt also, doubtless by many of his predecessors—that ho had lacked the. time and ability to do justice to a position which any commercial man should be proud to hold. In handing oyor tho reins of oince to Mr Albert Kayo, ho had the satisfaction of knowing that they would bo in capanlo hands. Ho begged to tender his grateful thanks to Mr A. L. Parsons, viccprpeident, and tho members of .tho committeo who had worked so harmoniously with him during a strenuous year, and to thoir secretary, Mr H. A. AαJoy, who had proved to him that ..e had the best interests of the Chamber at heart. (Applause). Mr A. K«ye, in seconding tho motion, said that they must all acknowledge that'the retiring Presidont had given them a most ablo precis of tho work of the year. The reports by tho Presidents of tho Chamber for tho hst twenty years proved a most valuable compendium of 'mercantile information, end he was afrnid that tho mercantilo community hardly recognised ite importance. One matter ho desired to refer to was tho size of cornsacks. It came at a vol-y important time, end had been before Parliament for many times. In the "Australneian" of August 3rd and 17th r ijood deal of epice was given to the discussion of this. A good many people thought there was no heed for a change, but ho thought they had got to tho place where they were agreed that no weight over 2001b should be carried. In Australia it wos stated that to make the change would cost the farmers Borne thousands,of pounds. The whole gist of the matter wns that tho eack w«s not one. which the millers wanted. In Australia they had referred the matter to Xew Zeahnd to see what was being done here. Though they had arrived at the conclusion to use the 2001b snek, they were not quite eatisfiod with it, es it w«e an awkward size. As to tho taking eway of the privilege of representation on the Harbour Board of the' colony, it was usually the best men who were chosen by tho Chambers; they had done yeoman service in the pnst, and they should bo allowed to continue as mouthers. (Applause.) He thought they; should toko a firm stand in the mntter, and urge that the privilege should be continued. Ho quite agrwd with tho encomiums passed by tho President as to tho work done by ..Sir Joseph Ward at the Imperial Conference, where ho had advertised the colony as fully and .ns well «s hie predecessor, the Right Hon. 11. J. Seddon. He congratulated the chairman on tho admirable address ho had delivered. THE MIDLAND RAILWAY. Mr H. Quano said that he tvaa exceouingly gratified at the President's retereuco to the Midland Hallway, und must compliment him on tho fact that during his term ot olfico the most conclusive step had been attained in the furtherance of this important' work. He was the more pleased that it had tallon to his lot to hoid the position of chairman of the Midland Railway Committee eet up by the Chamber when tho ■work in which they had all taken co much interest had advanced by so practical and important a etop as the letting of tho contract for the Arthur's tunnel. (Applause.) This had now brought tlve completion of tho through communication with the W«wt Coast within measurable distance. They would all bo pleased that tho tender had boen secured by a New Zealand firm, Messrs McLean Bros., a firm of undoubted standing and reliability, who had Taithfully carried out other largo and important works in the , colony, and ho hid reason to bolievo that they would complete the work well within the time, provided in their contract. Sir Joseph Ward and the Ministry wore to be congratulated on their having viewed the position in a fair and impartial way, alid without any party feeling. 'Lite line, when completed, would be of immense advantage to_ thi* people- of Canterbury and the West Coast, and not only so, but through its becoming at once reproductive when finished would be a benefit to the whole colony. The thanks of the Chamber were duo to tho Hon. C C. Bowen and Mr A. It. Guinness, the Speakers of tho Houses of Parliament who so ably organised a deputation to wait on the Premier to prose tho claims for tho speedy completion of the lin-o, and also to the members of both Houses, foroeeisting at the deputation. Islr Quano also took the opportunity of acknowledging with grateful appreciation tho great amount of work done by Mr E. W. Roper, ac the previous chairman of oommittoe, and ako the untiring and courteous assistance given by all members of the committee to tho speaker as chairman during a very anxious and arduous time. The Industrial Association had at all times usod its influence in support of the line, and the services rendered by Mr A. G. liowlard as president, and afeo by several of the members of tho Association, w<ere deserving of the highest praise. At the time of 6ucoem they

wero apt to forget tho loyal services rendered by those in yoare gono past, and he would like to pay a tribute to tlKwe gentlemen, some of whom had passed away, for the unselfish vtotk done by thorn in connection with the foundation of this grent and important colonial undertaking. Ho won Id crucially refer to tho following gentlemen:—Sir Julius Vogel, Hon. W. HolWton, Sir John Hall. Hon. C. C. Bowen, Mr Geo. G. Stood, Mr J. T. Matson, Mr William Chrvstnll. Mr Thonws Pavitt, Mr James Macandrew, Mr Wickes, Mr T. »S. Wo.ston. Mr Thornton, Mr J. D. Lance, Mr J. D. Ruddcnklnu, Mr W. T. L. Travers. Mr Dcvenish Meares, and Mr Acton Adams. (Applause.) There ■were, of course, a great number of other names, notably that of tho lote Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, equally ontitled to be menti-oned in this respect if time permitted, but-those he referred to stood out perhaps meet nromiiiently. Ho hoped oil present would live to see the auspicious day when Canterbury and the West Coast would be joined together by through railway communication, for which they all hnd worked «> earnestly and so loyally during a great many years. fApplanscv) Mr Fred. Horroll spoko nt some length as to the sizo of the erain Bank, expressing, his strong feeling in favour of a small sack. Tho sacks recommended by the committee last season find proved quite unsuitable. It was not so much a question of weight na size. Ho had made enquiries from India, and found that n. narrow sacK could bo obtained .it a rheap rato. Th<» only way out of tho difficulty was by having a. special sack made." Ho did not know what course ho could follow. From a chaff-cutter's point of view the sacks noiv proposed would bo suitable, but not for wheat. Ho was pleased to sco that tho Government in Australia wore in favour of legislation for a uniform -OOi!.- sack. All ho (Mr Ilorroll) could now do was to enter his protest ngainst the decision -which tho committee of the Chamber had come to on this subject.

Mr Kayo said that tho committee recognised the points referred to by Mr Horrell, and had come to the conclusion they liad done very reluctantly, but it was tho best that could bo done from the point of being the least e>P.il. Mr Hall said that what the Farmers' Union wanted was the present size of sack. Tho motion wae then put and agreed to. OFFICE-BEARERS. Tho secretary rood tho list of officebearers for the year, which has already been published. Tho following were elected as tho Sectional Committees: —Importers: Messrs E. C. Brown, H. Quano, W. Re«;e (convener), J. I. Itoyds. Exporters: Messrs W. Wood, F. M. Warren, F. Waymouth, A. H. Turnbull (convener). Manufacturers: Messrs G. T. Booth, R. E. McDougall, O. H. BLackwetl, J. A. Frostick (convener). Produce-: Messrs A. 11. Turnbull, E. G. Staveley, H. Wood (convener), Geo. Pallmer. Railways: Messrs W. Wood, W. D. Mearee (convener), Hon. H. F. Wigram, A. L. i'arsone. TUE WHEAT AND FLOUR DUTIES. Mr Kayo said it had boen felt that tho Chamber should send a resolution to the Government on tho subject of the romoval of the duties on wheat and flour. Ho moved—'"That in the interests of the agricultural community of New Zealand, it ie very undesirable that the exieting duties on wheat and flour should be interfered with in the direction of any reduction." Anyone who looked a"t the eubject with an unbiased mind must agreo that it would be a bad day when these duties were taken off. Those who did not know the full bearing of the matter might think to romove these duties. But if this were done, and their farmers gave up growing whe-at, they would bo at tho mercy of Australia, and tue North Island would be made the dumping ground for the Australian surplus. It was held that the understanding between tho millers iwjie not c right one, but they were forced' into tho position through the circumstances with -which they were surrounded. Their output was more than tho domand, and they had to do something to preserve them from ruin. Since this had been done, the millers Tiad made a manufacturing profit, which, as it -was made in a rair and legitimate manner, they should not grudge them. Instead of having the local wheat they had now, if these duties were removed they would have none at all.

Mr Todhunter seconded the motion. If the duties wore taken off, it would act disastrously as regarded the comnunity as a whole. It would be a bad thing if New Zealand was dependent on outside supply for her breadstuffs. Tlio day would, under these circumstances, surely come when tbe consumers would have to pay very dearly indeed for their flour, and they would rue tho day when tho duties wero removed.

Mr A. H. Turnbull said it was very important that copies of tho resolution when passed should bo sent to all the Canterbury members of the House, and their active co-operation invited. The question was o. most importantone as affecting land values. If tho duties were removed, they would find first-class land now devoted to growing wheat turned into growing oats, and the socond-clnss land devoted to stock raising. This meant thnt there would bo a groat diminution in. tho amount of labour employed. As to milling, it was not so very profitable a business as was made out. Ho had somo shares in a milling concern, and had thnt tlay received an. intimation of a dividend of C per cent., which was not a large amount for a manufacturing concern. Speaking quite independently, tho present combination was of great value to the small millers of the colony. If they had not combined, they would have been crushed out of existence. He did not think tho millers hod used tho power of tho combination as a taxing machine. With wheat 9d per bushel dearer than in Australia, and flour only £1 per ton dearer here than there, that did not seem to be the case. Tho motion was then put nnd carried, with the addition suggested by Mr Tnrnbull that copies of the resolution should bo sent to the, Canterbury members of Parliament and their support of it asked for. VOTE OF THANKS. On tho motion of Mr H. I*. Murray Aynsley, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring president and committee