CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15174, 12 January 1915, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly meeting of the Council of the Canterbury Chamber.of Commerce -was held yesterday afternoon, the president, Mr T. F. Gibson, being in the chair. ' The subject of war tax referred from last meeting ■ was considered, and m view of the Prime Minister's statement, published in the newspapers of the* Gth inst., it was decided to take no action. Mr Gilbert Anderson -wrote stating that there had been no decision with regard to the meeting at Toronto of the Chambers of Commerce of the .Empire in September, 1915, but a large amount of work was accumulating in the Imperial Council of Commerce, especially in connexion -with Empire commerce, which had come so prominently to the front of late. The Merchants' Association of New York wrote, stating that they were willing-to act in the establishing of connexions between New York firms and firms abroad, which would be done without charge. His Majesty's Trade Commissioner in New Zealand. Mr W. G. Wickham. wrote,' forwarding lists of manufacturers of different articlas in the United Kingdom, which arc available for inspection by members. The Southland League forwarded a resolution suggesting that tbo Government be' asked to establish in various centres exhibitions of British-made goods, and that facilities b 0 provided to supply enquirers with full information as to* prices, etc. It w.as decided to t>end a copy to his Majesty's Trade Commissioner, asking his opinion as tc the suggestion. The secretary of the General Post Office wrote, stating that authority had now been given for the use of further codes. In acknowledging receipt it was decided to again ask that codes be allowed to bo used for communicating with other -parts of tho Empire than the United Kingdom. Tlie Comptroller of Customs wrote with reference to the delay in publishing import trade returns, that it was owing to shortness of the staff, due to the war, but that every endeavour was being made to remedy tho matter. The- Christchurch Stock Kxehange stated that they were asking the Post-master-General to remove th,> present embargo on telegraph messages in code, and asking thi> Chamber to support them. It wa< decided in reply to mention the difficulty there would be in tho matter of censoring telegrams in the colonies. Messrs Brown. "Little and Co., wroto with reference to the new form for entries to be made for Customs duties, which was considered unjust to many firms who had their own printed forms. It was decided in reply to ixmrtr out that five months' notice' had been given both in the Government Gazette and by notices to all principal importers, etc. that the new form would be adopted on Ist January. The General Manager of llailways wrote that there was no possibility of bis being able to meet the wishes of the Chamber in regard i«> the examination of passengers' linage >« Christchurch unti] the new station is erected. The Department of .Commerce forwarded list ot British consuls with whom New Zealand merchants might com-

mumeato. The president report»xi tnat \.he Onic. Tost master had agreed to extend the time of closing of mails hy the South exprt'Sj* to 11.10 a.m. in future. The question of the maximum price of grain Mas brought up, and wa«s referred

to tho: Produce Sectional Committee, with power to act. Mr H. J. • Marriiier presented the Chamber with a photograph of members of the International Congress of Chambers of Commerce held in Paris..