CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21290, 9 October 1934, Page 18

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

* ANNUAL CONFERENCE

REMITS TO BE DISCUSSED IN CHRISTCHURCH

Many important and interesting subjects will be discussed at the annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, •which is to be held in Christchurch on November 1 and November 2. In all there are 23 remits, three of which have been forwarded by the Canterbury Chamber and two by the Canterbury Chamber, in conjunction with other chambers. The list of remits is as follows: —

Trade Reciprocity—That this conference considers New Zealand is not well placed for "tariff bargaining ; that the recent reduction in duties on many British lines, without corresponding reductions in the foreign tariff, having unduly widened the preferential margin accorded to Great Britain «the margin in some cases being as much as 64 per cent, ad valorem, whereas Great Britain at Ottawa requested a preferential margin of only 20 per cent, ad valorem against foreign countries) this conference holds the view that this highly differential treatment is unduly provocative and is likely to tesult in reprisals from foreign countries, thus further limiting our export markets at a time when expansion of these was never more necessary; and this conference urges on the Government the desirability of adopting the recommendations of the Tariff Commission respecting tariff rates on foreign goods, thus creating «n atmosphere conducive to a mutual expansion of trade.—(Auckland.) Telegraph Charges—That the Government be urged to reinstate a flat rate for telegrams to all points in the Dominion.—(lnvercargill.) Dairy Produce Regulations—Thir. conference considers that the new dairy regulations introduced on August 1 by the New Zealand Dairy Produce Board are an unwarrantable interference with free trading, and inimical to the best interests of the farming community, and are another instance of the ineptitude of this board to deal with complicated marketing conditions.—(Wellington.) Unfair Government and Local Body Competition—That this conference views with grave concern, the continued interference by the Government, both direct and through statutory boards, and the continuation and extension of competition by the State and local bodies with established private business. This is illustrated by: (a) The fixation by order-in-council under the Board of Trade Act, of the price of superphosphate; (b) The restriction of trading activities under the new marketing regulations of the Dairy Produce Control Board; (c) The extension of the scope of the mortgagors and tenants relief legislation by the act of 1933; (d) Competitive tendering by the Government Printing! Office for business that has hitherto been catered for by private enterprise; (e) The creation of a buying department attached to the High Commissioner's office in London; (f) The erection of buildings by the Government and local bodies in excess of their own needs, providing surplus accommodation for letting in competition with private ownership. This conference again urges that Government interference with private enterprise should be curtailed; that trading activities of Government departments and local bodies, in competition with private enterprise, should not be extended, and where now carried on should be subjected to the same rent, rates, taxes, and other charges and conditions as are required of private businesses; that public tenders should be called in 'New Zealand only for all requirements of Government and public bodies, such tenders being open on level terms to manufacturers and traders in New Zealand and elsewhere; and that provision of building accommodation for Government departments and local bodies should be restricted to provide only reasonable accommodatiqn for their own requirements.—(Wanganui, Wellington, Auckland, Dunedin.) Customs Decisions Appeals—That this conference dissociates itself from the findings of the Tariff Commission on the question of a right of appeal against decisions of the Minister for Customs, and urges the establishment of a properly representative appeal board dealing with disputes arising under the Customs Act.—(Auckland.) Reduced Taxation —That in the opinion of this conference the time has now arrived when definite and substantial relief should be given to the New Zealand taxpayer and that direct and indirect taxation burdens upon business enterprise should be lightened in order to stimulate and accelerate a return of general prosperity.—(Canterbury.) Destruction of Farm Lands by Mining—That the Government be urged to introduce legislation which will make it impossible for good arable Crown land to be sluiced away or otherwise despoiled by mining, unless: (1) The warden receives a report from the land board for the district concerned agreeing to such land being sluiced; (2) that full compensation be paid to the Crown tenant occupying such land; (3) that the land board shall not consent to such mining unless satisfied by proper prospecting that the land is rich enough to warrant same being despoiled for all time provided that any aggrieved applicant shall have a right of appeal to the Supreme Court.—(Dunedin.) Bankruptcy Law —That the banKruptcy law in New Zealand be amended along the lines of the English Act, and that statutory provisions regulating and facilitating the conduct of extra-judicial administrations, divorced from the control of the Official Assignee, be embodied in the act. — (Auckland). Insurance Companies—That the Companies Act so far as it relates to insurance companies be amended to secure that the provisions of the act applying to limited companies be made to apply equally to companies or associations of unlimited liability soliciting business from the general public. (Executive). Taxation of Mutual Trading Concerns—That this conference affirms the principle that the privilege of exemption from certain taxation at present enjoyed by the co-operative and mutual trading concerns is unjust and uneconomic, and urges on the Government that such concerns should be taxed, as they are in the United Kingdom, on exactly the same basis as other traders.—(Executive). Ministers' Powers—That this conference is of opinion that principles and safeguards as to the granting and exercise of judicial and quasi-judicial powers by Ministers of the Crown, similar to those recommended in the recent report of the Committee on Ministers' Powers presented to the Imperial Parliament, should obtain and be adopted in New Zealand.—(Canterbury). Itinerant Trading—That this conference strongly recommends to the Government that amended legislation be introduced empowering local bodies to impose a more equitable fee (say, £25 for any period up to three months) on itinerant traders and auctioneers operating in any centre in the Dominion.— (Wanganui). Unemployment Insurance—That it be a recommendation to the executive of •the Associated Chambers of Commerce to go fully into the possibility of estabDsbing a scheme of unemployment insurance in New Zealand to replace the present system under which relief is limited to those who are destitute. —(Dunedin). Competition From Countries With !ow Standards of Living—This conference is aware that the conditions of labour and wages in some foreign countries do not give a fair competi-

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tive opportunity to Empire produces, and considers that, when this is ftt case, duties should be counteract the effect of these cobs* tions.—(Executive.) *' Note—The above is one of the resolutions carried at the latest congress of the Federation of Chambers « Commerce of the British Empire. J* is not necessarily endorsed by the €M» cutive, and is put forward for free w* cussion by delegates. Rating Act—That this confereffl» urges that the existing legislation » amended to enable buildings ott*r than dwelling-houses to secure, wart unoccupied, the rate exemption nc* provided for unoccupied dwellinghouses under section 69 of the Rating Act.—(Auckland.) Land Tax—That this conference, «• iterating previous decisions, urges Uw land tax be abolished and income tt* substituted.—(Canterburv and DUB* edin.) Board of Trade Act—That this catference is convinced that the res**" tive provisions of the Board of Tri* Act, Commercial Trusts and Cos* * Living Acts operate to the detriioeM of business and the community generally, and therefore urges on the Government the immediate amendment« these acts.—(Canterbury.) Crown Suits Act—That this conference endorses the principle of suits by or against Government departments being in general placed on a similar footing to suits between subject anfl subject—(Auckland and Canterbury.* Protection of Life Insurance Mooey» —That the provision? of sections « and 66 of the life Insurance Act. »»»»• should be made bindina on the Crowffi. —(Hastings.) Earthquake Insurance—This confer* ence approves of the necessity *F compulsory earthquake insurance a New Zealand—(Napier. > Power Supply—That this conference considers the time has now arrwt« when the whole of the power static*!" and their cost should be treated oa» Dominion basis, and that power bcar«* and supply authorities should w charged for bulk supplv at a umfona rate.— cTe Awamutu.* Wheat and Flour—That this «****! ence urges on the Government, the desirability of putting int i force the **" commendation of the Tariff CoauMSJ sion in favour of the replacement* the sliding scale of duties on ww* and flour bv reduced duties OO » specific basis.—(Auckland.' 1 Representations to GcvernnM**"* That, excepting in cases of estrtß* urgency, the executive of the Assog* ated Chambers of Commerce slw«*» consult all constituent chambers J«* fore submitting representations tat** Government on matters of natt*** importance, or making public P"* nouncements thereon.—(South Caalf bury.)