TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 57, 30 November 1917, Page 7

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

COMMERCIAL MEN IN CONFERENCE

ASSOCIATED CHAMBERS OF

COMMERCE

The annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerco of jW Zealand was concluded yesterday. Iho delegates sat in the morning and tho afternoon, and considered a long list, ol remits from Chambers throughout the Dominion. The remits adopted w- . eluded the following: — Naturalisation. ' "That the General Conference be roquested to recommend ft firmer attitude towards enemy aliens, suggesting that those who cannot provo conclusivoly that they have as much to fear irom a German invasion of this country as Britishers ' should ho interned.— (Hamilton).' " , "(a) That in the caso of aliens from late enemy countries, British citizenship or naturalisation should not do allowed until after twenty years' uninterrupted residence under police regis* tration and supervision in. the British Empire; but in the case of aliens from neutral countries after five years. "(b) That the oath of' allegiance should be accompanied by an oath ot divestment of allegiance to the Power of which tho person has hitherto been, a subject, preceded by a certificate from tho Government of his native country declaring that he is released from all obligations and allegiance as a citizen thereof. That the abovo conditions be also applicable to the employment of alien iabour."-(Canterbury • "That no enemy subjects be- permitted to enter into this Dominion, and that no present enemy subject he granted letters of naturalisation in future. —(Canterbury). Labour conditions. <<(a) That this conference, appreciating the necessity for co-operation between employers and employed, to the end that the productive capacity of the country should be increased to its utmost to enable the Dominion- to fulfil its obligations both during and after tho war, and realising that industrial peace is conducive to the welfaro or the Dominion and of all sections of the community, deprecates the continuance of 'strike' methods by. sections of organised Labour with resultant loss to both employers and omployed." . Land Agents Act. "That"'the executive be instructed to approach the Minister of Internal Affairs with a view to having the Land Agents Act, 1912, amended to provide as follows: — ■■ . "(a) That Clause 2 'Be made more comprehensive so that the definition of hind a font shall include any person or company which accepts any commission, fee, or reward for effecting a sale of land or any interest in land. "(b) That provision be made to permit of tho bond required from a land agent being made available to indemnify a vendor from loss in tho event of malfeasance by the land agent. "(c) That Clause 13 bo amended to read: 'That no person or company shall be entitled to sue,' etc., and also that Sub-section 6 be amplified by adding or he satisfy the Magistrate that ho received instructions to act as agent for the vendor.' "—(Dunedin). Land Settlement and Immigration. i "That it is imperative for the Government to expedite the opening up for settlement- of the large areas of idle land in the Dominion, concurrent with a more vigorous public works scheme for-railing and reading the same. — (Rodney). . , ' "That the Government he strongly ur<*cd to design and carry into effeci witlv due promptitude a more adequate scheme for the repatriation of New Zealand soldiers, and that this purpose be'made the first consideration in whatever system of land settlement is suggested to encourage immigration."— (Marlborough). "That in view of the nearing close I of the great war an enlivened immigration policy be urged upon the National Government without any delay, where, by much greater knowledge, facilities, and help shall be more fully aftorded to all suitable immigrants.'. , —(Rodnoy).

National Efficiency and Economy. "That thiS'Conference earnestly urges all Chambers of Commerce to recognise that thu most urgent and vital work for all organised bodies and citizens throughout the Dominion is to assist in achieving a, high standard of national efficiency by:— "(a) Assisting the National Efficiency Board and supporting the National Government in giving effect to recommendations of the board. "(b) Endeavouring to secure the economical expenditure of public funds. "(c) Actively opposing national, civic, or private waste and extrava-

gancn in any form—money, material, soi'vioo, or tune. "((I) Stimulating the production of tho Dominion, "(<i) Opposing any monopoly or trust tending to exploit tho people with ro> card to tho necessaries of life. . £ '.Round table' conferences with yeos ami employers with a view to bringing sumo closer together, thereby affording .tho means of a better understanding of each other.

"(g) Study of co-operative, co-part-nership, or profit-sharing schemes, aiid endeavouring to formulate schemes which wild bo nccoptablo to both capital mid labour. "(h) Improving our education system so as to provide for more economic, scientific, and technical training. "(i) Abovo .ill, impressing upon citizens of the Dominion that their most snored duty is to ensure fulfilment oE the obligations the country is pledged to iu regard to war and after-war expenditure, and that nothing short of national efficiency in its higliest sense ivillniako this possible. ,, —(Wellington Central). postal and Telegraphic Services, "That the Government be urged to arrango for telophonio communication between tho North and South Islands. This should now bo rendered possible hy tho laying of an extra cablo recently."— (Marlborough). Department of commerce. "That in view of the paramount importance of promoting the commerco and industries of the Dominion, the Government be urged to reorganise the Department of Commerce and Industries as a separate Department. — (Wellington). ' . "That this conference recommends the Government to favourably consider tho appointment of a Minister of Commerce, advised by « council of ra-perts.i,-(Wellington Central). Registration of Firms, "That this conference views with approval tho introduction into Parliament of the Registration of Business Names Bill."—(Wellington). Hydro-Electrio power. "That this conference impress upon the Government the importance of carrying out • hydro-olectrio power schemes throughout the Dominion, with a view of cheapening the Dominion's production and industries, and enlarg-ing-the scope of production, that the producers in the Dominion may in the future be in the best possible position to compete against oversea compctiCentral). Ceneral. "That this centre is, owing.to geographical position, suffering serious Ulities through lack of a through railway service, and this Chamber therefore respectfully, requests the influence of "the association in the endeavour to obtain some measure or re. dress."— (Invercargill). . . "That steps bo taken to obtain Jegis. lation necessary to. permit of Government and municipal loans being raised bv the system of premium bonds as ■successfully adopted in most of tho European countries."-(Gisborne) "That this Chamber urges that the Question of adoption of the metric svstem of coinage, weights, mmsam, etc., be again considered, and that the Government bo asked to take the matter up. It is considered by this Cham, her that the adoption of tins system is in the interests of both international trade and general efficiency. -(Marlborough).