MEETING OF IMPORTERS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13743, 26 May 1910, Page 2

MEETING OF IMPORTERS.

A meeting of importers was held in tli» Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon to consider the cuestion of tiio .lppointraent of a marine surveyor at Lyttelton to protect tho interests of the importers Mr H. J. Alarriner. acting-president of the Chamber'of Commerce, who occupied the chair, said that the matter had been beiorc the Council of die Chamber for some time, and it had been decided to place it before the, importers themselves. -Mr M<.iley, of Mason Struthers and Co., had written V) the Chamber saying that it was necessary to appoint a surveyor, as in many cases they had to pay for damage (or bad stowage. 'J tie "P----taming tec of the surveyor would have to be collected from each importer, and thin would make it a small charge. The Dunedm Chamber of Commerce was also going into tin- matteMr Jones said that there was no doubt the appointment of n marine surveyor in Lyttelton v.'as a necessity Ibis was particularly so with regard to kerosene. The trouble was that the cargo was badly stowed in many cases, and. there was little chance of maintaining a claim. It tho importers were sincere in their own interests and would .support the Chamber ia tho proposal, it would be a good thing. Hut looking at the attendance that' day, if it were taken as representing "those who wished the appointment to be Made, the expense would be too great. In answer to a question, the chairman .said the salary of the marine surveyor would be about £300 per annum. There was considerable difficulty, he might point out, in apportioning the amount coal importers would have to pay. Ho suggested that tho meeting should afiirm the principle, and then the Chamber could bo asked to go further and see what support could be obtained from outside to any scheme which might bo formulated."

Mr Congreve thought one man would be of very little use, as one could not look after three or four shins. He thought it would be necessary to have two.

A gentleman connected with the fancy goods importing said one man could not watch threo hatches. Ho thought the mischief was done in the breaking out of tho cargo. The cases were thrown down and broken, and then the contents were pilfered. Tllo idea, he thought, wanted as there should be a sliding scale, as between large and small importers. Tho Chairman said it could hardly bo expected that the Chamber should bear the exnense. They were quite willing to put the matter in train, but they must be assured that they had the importers behind them. If tho men discharging cargo knew that there was a man watching them, they would be more careful, and hence the importers would save money.

Mr E. C. Urown thought that ono man would not bo sufficient. It was impossible for one man to watch, say three holds of a ship. They apparently bad no practical experience of what was being done in other ports. The Chairman said" that no appointment had been made elsewhere. .

Mr Quane suggested that it would he a proper thing to have a man on behalf of tho importers at the Christchurch station who was accepted by the shipping company, who would examine the goods on arrival at tho station, and see their .condition. This, he thought, would bo a valuable acquisition to the importers, and he felt they would be willing io subscribe. Tho Chairman did not think the shipping companies would accept the proposal outlined by Mr Quane. Air Ouane said that they had to appoint a surveyor now, so that there would not be much difference.

Mr Jones thought that tiiere should bo a representative of the importers alike in Xyttclton. and at the railway station, lie moved:—"That it is desirable that a marine surveyor should 1 bo appointed to look after the interests of importers; that the Importers' CommiLtrc of the Chamber of Commerce he asked to consider what scheme should bo adopted to carry out this idea, tho committee to have power to adtl to their number."

IMr Hoyds seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Messrs Morley, ReecCj and Collins were appointed to he added to the committee of the chamber.

A letter was read from Mason, Struthers and Co., pointing out that the shipping companies declined to sort goods, ns it delayed cargo being got out. This meant that a good deal of trade was going to Wellington and Dunedin.

Tho letter was referred to the committee.