CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16653, 14 October 1919, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

' v MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly of the Council of tho Canterbury Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon, tho president, Mr J. G. Herdman, presiding. The report of the Importers' Committee on the subjects _of pillage of cargo, handling of / fruit and other cargo, Amorican exchange, railway storago charges, claims for goods lost, early closing of railway goods shed, and freight to Vancouver, was adopted. The Exporters' Committee reported on the suggested formation of a New Zealand Agents' Association of Produce Merchants, that the Chamber express its willingness to act _in conjunction with the "English and matters referred to it bo dealt with by tho Exporters'. Committee; that the Chambers of Commerco in Auckland, Wellington. and Dunedin be asked to act similarly, so that any matter of importance may be brought before tho Associated Chambers of Commerce. With regard to the suggestion of the Fruitgrowers' Association that inspectors be appointed at each port to watch the handling of cargo, it was suggested, that shippers should send their bills of lading to their agents, and arrange with them to see to the proper discharge of cargo, as is dono at present with produce exports. Messrs Skelton, Frostick, and Co. wrote that it was the intention of the Customs Department to compute the value of goods imported at the rate of exchange ruling at the time the draft waSTnado, instead of at the usual rate of conversion as before. It was decided to write a strong letter of protest to the Minister of Customs against the proposal. In response to representations _ of firms that the s.s. Kaiapoi had been diverted from bringing cargo frcm Melbourne to" loading coal at Newcastle, a telegram had been sent to the Prime Minister asking that provision be made for ships to bring oargo/from Melbourne which was urgently required here, the Chamber recognising that the coal was essential. A reply was received that the Westralia was loading at Melbourne this week, and arrangements had been mado with the Union Company for the Tnhiiti to bring a full load of cargo from Melbourne for South Island ports. The editor of the "Pacific Ports Annual" wrote asking that a number of questions in regard to the port be answered nnd forwarded, for purposes of publication, and it was decided to forward the information. Acknowledgments of the Chamber's proposals with regard to the appointment of a Minister of Industries and Commerce and Railway Construction and Management were received from Oamaru, Wellington Central, Taranaki, Wellington, and Westland Chambers of Commerce.

The Rimu Miners' Association forwarded a programme of the Association. The Hastings Chamber of Commerce forwarded a copy of an address read by Mr E. H. Williams on "Profit Sharing." ■ The Tauranga Harbour Board wrote as to the necessity for Tauranga being made a port "of- call for coastal vessels from the South, as there was a wide and growng market in the Bay of Plenty for productions of Mr J. Little wrote on the matter of exports and imports. The letter was received.

Tho Grevmouth Chamber replied in connexion with tho regular service of steamers that during the last few years no vessel had to leave the port without a full cargo, and during the same period no vessel had to remain outside the harbour longer than two days. The constitution of the Ota go Importers and Shippers' Association of New Zoaland was' received.

Mr F. E. Jones wrote that he was leaving for Canada, and asked for four months' leave of absence. This was granted, and it was suggested that Mr Jones should mako enquiries into the commercial methods of Canada, which had made such wonderful progress. Reports by Mr Dalton, his Majesty's Trade Commissioner, on the trade of Fiji and Samoa were received. It was decided to hold meetings in the evenings for the next three months. Mi- S. W. B. McGregor, representing his Majesty's Trade Commissioner in New Zealand, attended the meeting and 1 gave aji amount of useful information with regard to the organisation which he represents, and as to trade with various countries. Mr MMJregor was asked several questions, and was thanked for his attendance.