CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1704, 22 March 1913, Page 14

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

THE BALANCE OP TRADE. > EXTRACTS FROM THE ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report of tho Chamber of Commerco is an interesting document, which contains a deal of matter concerning commerce ana trado in general, as far as Now Zealand, and Wellington in particular, is concerned. Respecting tho trade of the Dominion, tho report says that" for tho year 1911-12 the excess of exports over imports was wE1,099,801, and adds: "Tho figures do not show sufficient margin of exports over imports, and it is obviously highly desirable that ©very endeavour should bo made to increaso_ tho productive capacity of the Dominion." _ Frozen meat has increased both in value and quantity, and evidences the healthy state of tho industry. There aro large increases in tho figures for butter arid checse. Tho quantity of cheese exported during tho year has increased by'nearly 30 per cent.

No.rth Island increases in production: Butter, 8i per cent.! cheese, 84} per cent. South Island: Butter, 184 per cent.; cheese, 18 per cent. "It is only necessary to remind ourselves that tho high position of New Zealand cheeso in tho English market can only bo assured provided a high standard of quality is maintained in the article exported." London prices havo not bean up to expectations this year, and one noticeable feature is tho' widtf margin that has existed for the 1912-13 season between the official quotations for Danish and New Zealand' butters. Average values of wool, 1911-12: North Island, 8.2G<1.; South Island, 9.87 d. Wool prices realised liavo been exceeded only occasionally during the last'twentyfive years, and tho net result will bo a large increase in 'life valuo of wool exported by tho Dominion. Tho increased prices for New Zealand hemp are stimulating production, nnd for the year ending December, 1913, production should reach '21,000 tons, as against 20,073 for 1912. . Tho chamber is "favourably impressed with tho possibilities of Hull as an additional terminal port for steamers trading to New Zealand."

In response to complaints received from importers regarding the extent to which pillaging of cargo was carried on, representations were made by the chamber to tho ! Minister, for - Justice suggesting that as the inflicting of fines did not appear to act as a sufficient deterrent, tho penalty of imprisonment provided by law, should be inflicted upon offenders in lieu of fines. "During the busy .export season, delays in gettipg wool and produce ex rail are of frequent occurence, pud will continue to be so until either the present Mannwatu line is duplicated or o line to receive the congestion of traffic is built." The aggregate net tonnage of bona fide mercantile vessels entering tho port of Wellington during the year amounted to over 3,000.000 highest aggregate ever reached in tho port's history; and, but for the London Dock strike, the figures would have been considerably higher.

RAILWAYS AND THE TE ARO STATION. Referring to tho chamber's deputation to the then Minister for Railways (Mr. A. M. Myers) tho report stales: "Mr. Myers could hold out'no hope of his Government putting the matter in hand this year, and, as the present Government has mhde no movo in tho matter, Wellington's much-needed central station" seems to be as far off as ever." Although tho clamber wrote to the Minister for Railways, "protesting against the continuance of tho present unprofitable service," tho Te Aro railway is still in lise, and-tho Woirarapa mail now .runs to - that station and tho. morning train to the Wairarapa starts from it; Hp t.o tho present the. chamber'ssuggestion that railway tickets; should bo'purchasable" at' places other'' than railway booking offices has -not'been'; adopted by the Department and there is no improvement of "tho extreme inconvenience and annoyance which now obtains, owing to the public of necessity when desiring to purchase railway .tickets having to crowd round the ticket office which is opened shortly beforo tho departure of trains." Tho General Manager of Railways has intimated that tho matter is being "considered." It is pointed .out by the chamber that "tho facilities sought are avoilabic in oilier countries, and, if introduced in tho Dominion, would bo much appreciated by tho travelling public." Whilo acknowledging improvements in tho Wairarana-Woodvillo service, "the council Still thinks there is room for great improvement in the running of the 'Wel-lington-Palmerston North traiiis. At the present, n great deal of delay seems !*to take place at small stations, which could .well bo avoided." It is pointed out that business people of Palmerston who wish to transact affairs in Wellington have to spend ten hours in tho train, but have only four hours' time in tho city. The. Minister promised that the matter would bo carefully gone into with the officials, states tho report, but as yet no improvement has beon effected.

WELLINGTON INSURANCE BATES. Insurance rates in Wellington was the subject of -consideration by tho council of tho Wellington Chamber of Commerce during the past year, and the council waited npon the Committee of the New Zealand Underwriters' Association and pointed out to that body that though Wellington has superior firo brigade service and water supply, yet its city area which is,conceded best rates, is very much smaller in extent than tho lowest rated avk\ in either Christchnrc'h, Auckland, Duncdin, or New Plymouth. The Committee of the Underwriters' Association promised to have the matter considered by its full council, but indicated that it did not see its way to endorso the request of tho chamber. Tho chamber's report stales that: "While your council has no desire to interfere with tho business o£ fire insurance companies, it caunot help feeling that it has put a case before the underwriters which demands nil answer, and that on information at present available, Wellington is not fairly treated as regards rates wlien compared with other centres in Now Zealand."