THE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20997, 27 October 1933, Page 16

THE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

O Annual Conference IMPORTANT QUESTIONS DISCUSSED (PHESS ASSOCIATION WANGANUI, October 26. \ The Associated Chambers of Com- ( merce, sitting in annual conference here to-day, urged that further measures of economy be effected by ' the Government in order that the de- ( mands on taxpayers be brought more : into line with their ability to pa>. j Under this hetid the chambers urged: (a) That the recommendations of j the National Expenditure Commission j not already" adopted be put into effect including the reform of hospital administration, the reversion to the, contract system in public works, the amalgamation of Government departments, and the reduction of Government inspectorial staffs. (b) That in completion of the unfinished work of the commission, and with a view to effecting economies, an independent investigation be made into the affairs of the State Advances Office and other trading departments not investigated by the commission. The chambers also urged that drastic revision of the local body system was vitally necessary, and asked that the promise of the Prime Minister, made more than two years ago, to set up a commission to investigate this mattci be fulfilled immediately. State Trading. A remit that received support was one expressing alarm at the continued interference of the Government 111 business by means 9f legislation, legulations, and expansion of existing ciepartments of State, thereby reducing the field within which private individuals may earn a living. The chambers recommended that as it was tne business of the State to govern, it should withdraw from those services which could be promoted by private enterprise, such as the StateCoai Mines, the State Advances Department, the Public Works, and the State Dental Services. , It was suggested that State and local body trading concerns pay customs duties, land and income taxes, municipal taxes, and prepare bal-mre-sheets in accord with the practice insisted on in regard to private An to delete the State ] Dental Services from the scope of the remit was lost. Unemployment. Dealing with unemployment, the chambers reminded the Government that a reduction in the taxation for this purpose was essential. It was urged that where public works were undertaken for the unemployed, the Government should concentrate on schemes which would show a reasonable prospect of paying intei est amortisation, and that these Public works be carried out by private contract under tender, and that the basis of subsidising private employers engaging unemployed labour on sua works should be one of two shifts of 30 hours, in order that more men be employed.

DELEGATES WELCOMED BY MAYOR

EXCEPTION TAKEN TO CLAUSE IN REPORT (ritSS3 "ASSOCIATION TELEGIiAM.) WANGANUI, October 20. The conference of Associated Chambers of Commerce opened this morning. The Mayor, Mr N. G. Armstrong, welcomed the delegates, and Mr J. P. Luke, Wellington, replied on behalf of the visitors. After the president, Mr A. S. Burgess (Wanganui) del /ered his address, the executive's report wrought foith discussion. Mr W. Machin, Canterbury, took strong exception to the following, clause:—"The action of the Government later in interfering with the rate of exchange invoked throughout the country an expression of disapproval seldom before exhibited. This action was doubly deplorable, because the executive of the association, in an endeavour to assist the Government to deal with present-day problems, had a short time before offered the services of a committee of the association to co-operate with the Government." Mr Machin held that some members did not agree that the action of the Government in raising the rate of exchange was deplorable. Mr L. A. Paish, his Majesty's Trade Commissioner, in referring to the increased exchange in a subsequent address, said he would not express an opinion as to the desirability or otherwise of the Government's action, but he said New Zealanders should not criticise the Government out of the country. When writing to friends in the Old Country, they should tell the story that the Government was justified in its action, and do all they could to improve relations between the two countries. Mr H. H. Sterling, chairman of the Railways Board, speaking to the conference, anticipated the annual report of the Railways Board, to be released at the end of the week, saying that passenger tickets issued in the last year showed an increase of 3470. Not only had the borrd's experiment shown an improved financial positisn, but a better service to the public had been provided.