CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15222, 9 March 1915, Page 10

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. Gibeon) in the chair.

The Importers' Sectional Committee reported, in connexion with the suggestion of the Soutiiiand League, to hold an exhibition of British manufactured goods, that it was considered inadvisable to hold such an exhibition, in view of the difficulties and expense, but it was thought that a public meeting should be convened by the Chamber, of bodies interested, to consider the l>est means of furthering British trade. It was also suggested that the Government be asked to introduce a preferential tariff in favour of Imperial manufactures. The Council revived the report, but considered that the time had not arrived for the consideration of the question of a preferential tariff, and it was decided to ask the Importers' Committee to arrange for a public meeting to be held.

His Majesty's Trade Commissioner in New Zealand wrote that the Board of Trade was holding a British trade fair in the Agricultural Hall, London, on May 10th, and for fourteen days thereafter. Examples of British manufactures, limited to toys. fancy goods, earthenware, and glassware, cutlery, electro-plato, clocks, common jewellery, paper and stationery, would be exhibited by manufacturers, from which to order.

The Department of Commerce replied to a letter with reference • to white lead, and the matter was referred to the Imnorter.s.' Sectional Committee.

The Union Steam Shin Company replied to a letter complaining that the company had booked more space than was available, for exportation of corn sacks from Calcutta. It. -was decided to reply, pointing out that the question at issue was tho fact that space hnd heen hooked In- the company which could "ot bo provided.

The Rntish Standard Exporter Publishing Company wrote that they were issnine a series of standard catalogues, and asked for a W.«t. of persons interested in the work. Information forwarded. The president of the Auckland Chamber telegraphed that users of automatic _ stamping machine** had decided to resist the Department's demand for a ca«h deposit. It was decided to support the action of the Auckland Chamber, and to ask the Government to waive the demand, and also to reinstate tha allowance of 1J per rent., according to the agreement under which I most of the machines were obtained. The Dtinedin Chamber wrote with refereuce to grain statistics required by the Government, objecting to the re*turns as asked for. It was decided to agree with the Dunedin Chamber, and the letter was referred to the Produce Committee, with power to act The Wellington Chamber wrote that a cablegram had been received from the l<omlot! Chamber of Commerce, statin" that the ninth Comrress of Chambers of Commerce o f the Empire, which was proposed to be held in Toronto in September, had been postponed for a year.

The New Zealand Society of Accountants replied to the letter submitted to them by the Chamber some tune ago. that m the formation of Public companies to take over existing b »sineeses. a cony of the balance-sheet should be deposited with the registrar. Jne bociety considered that an accountant's certificate as to tho solvency 01 the business would meet the case. "