CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13397, 14 April 1909, Page 7

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE CONFERENCE.

(PB_SB ASSOCIATION TR-EGR-M.) WELLINGTON, April 13. A conference of delegates representing the New Zealand Chamber- of Commerce was opened in Wellington today. Mr W. G. Duthie, President of tho Wellington Chamber, presided, and the_follcwing delegates were present:—Messrs M. M. McAllum, S. A. Lonquet, and A. Robertson, Auckland; _k__rs W Kettle and I). A. Baxter, Napier; Messrs J. M. Johnston and H. Toliey, Palnierstoii North; Mr E. A. Campbell, Wanganui; Mr Christenson, Patca; Messrs C. b. Collins and' E. Newman, -M.P., Marten; Mr J. Reid, Blenheim; Messrs H. J. Marriner and Wilfred Hall, Christchurch; Messrs G. F. Craig and C. S. Frascr, Timaru; Mr J. Maitland Jones, Oamaru; Me_>rs D. Maherson and Peter Barr, Dunedin ; Mc_srs W. G. Duthie (president), H. C. Tewsley, D. J. Nathan, and Geo. Shirtcliffe, Wellington. In opening the conference, the President said:—"lt gircs mc very great pleasure to be able to-day to welcome you to the present conference of the Chambers of Commerce of Now Zealand. No doubt the exchange of views between the various Chambers represented will be to the advantage of the commercial people of New Zealand and to the general community as well. It is now over seven years since the last conference of tho Chambers of Commerce met, and,on that occasion it was at Wellington. It was then proposed that a similar meeting should take place the following .ear, but, for various reasons, it did not take place. But now another start lui_ been made, and it is to be hoped that these ©onferencc.. will become annual. The subjects suggested to be discussed are numerous, and include, among others, proposed amendments to tho bankruptcy law. Both the Auckland and the Wellington Chambers (aa well as others, no doubt) have been giving this subject serious consideration, and wo will hay© the benefit of the delegates' views. It is understood, the Government will bring the subject forward during the coming se__ion of Parliament, when we may look forward to these laws being put on a more satisfactory basis. It is expected that the Mortgage Tax and the Graduated Tax will also receive mention during the coming session. The subjects will also be before you for consideration. Another subject which requires to bo thoroughly dealt with by all Chambers is the representation of the mercantile community on Harbour Boards. Thb is a subject over which Chambers of Commerce require to make theni-olvcs strongly felt, beca.use if their representation is removed, _\ would bo a serums thing for importers and exporters alike. The Federation of the Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand is no new subject to come before such a oonf-renco its this; it was before tlie hist conference. But while the principle of federation was affirmed, no actual federation has taken place. You wili h»ive an opportunity of considering the question again, and probably some means will be- found of making tlie federation an accomplished fact. In this connection," it i_ suggested that a Parliamentary Ccauuitteo should be formed in Wellington to watch the interests of commerce. If a federation of Chambers takes place, th© setting up of the proposed -oiumitte© would necessarily b. one of the duties of the federated budie*. Railway matters will «!*,o be given consideration, including proposed .new lines, such as tb© completion of the South Island Main Trunk, the Napier-Gisborne-Rotorua line, ond the North Auckland Main Trunk, as well as questions of charges, regulations, and administration. Another very important subject that will be considered is the question of ocean mail. services, including the Vancouver and the San Francisco mail routes. Something more satisfactory than the present arrangement is required. While tho mails leave here for Sydney regularly, and only miss the connection in Sydney occasionally, it is never certain when the inward mail will arrive. Under this heading I might also mention the subject of cable rates and telephone charges, which call for consideration. We want to know whether reductions cannot be made. Trade terms is another subject that will come before you. At. the present time thero is no uniformity as between the various centres of the colony in respect to the terms of credit and cash discounts. W© will also hear noma papers read on subjects of special importance to New Zealand, among them being one on the Arbitration Act' in relation to industrial progress. As objects of special interest at the. present time, the hemp industry and the coal industry will also b e dealt with. The latter requires special attention at the moment on account of the poor return thaf is being secured, as against the cost of production. We will also have a paper on Colonial Defence, one of the most important subjects that can be brought forward at any lime, and especially at the moment. It has been decided by th© Ministry to bring before Parliament a new scheme of defence for the colony, doing away with tlie Council of Defence, which was only initiated some two years ego. NewZealand is to present one or two warxhips of the Dreadnought class to Great Britain. Under the circumstances, the paper on this subject will bo of peculiar interest.' Bank Halidnvs will be discussed. lem sure you will all agree that some change should be made as regards these holidays. Whew the question was before the Houso, t_u> result was an increase in the nttmlw of holidays instead of _ decrease. T«> day. for example, the banks are closed, while all business premises are open. This should not be. The banks should make their holidays suit the. general commercial interest of tho colony." (Applause.) The, speaker concluded .by stating that it was expected the conference would conclude on Thursday. Mr Arthur R. Robertson (Auckland) read a lengthy paper on the present position of the Bankruptcy Act. and concluded by suggesting a* number of amendments. It was agreed to take the discussion off the question later. Other matters dealt with were the Mortgage and Graduated Land Taxes and the Dreadnought offer.