COMMERCE CHAMBERS CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 34, 3 November 1934, Page 9

COMMERCE CHAMBERS CONFERENCE

Varied Subjects Discussed EARTHQUAKE INSURANCE By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch. November 2. At the Associated Chambers of Commerce conference to-day on the motion of Mr. Haskell Anderson (Napier) it was recommended to the executive to consider the necessity for compulsory earthquake insurance in New Zealand. Mr. Anderson said It was felt that because of the nature of recent construction his district there was uow little danger of earthquake damage. New Zealand was subject to earthquakes, and any district “light stiffer such a disaster as that suffered b” Napier. It was only prudent that provision should be made to minimise as far as possible the paralysing e fects of such a disaster. The following remit was referred to the executive: “That the conference considers the time Ims now arrived when all power- stations and their cost should be treated on a Do-, minion basis, and power boards am supply authorities should be charged for bulk supply at .1 uniform rate. The following was also referred to rhe executive: "This conference is aware that conditions of labour and wages in some foreign countries do not give a fair competitive opportunity to Empire producers, and considers that when this is the case duties should l>e adjusted to counteract the effect of these conditions.” The conference carried a Dunedin remit that the executive be urged to go fully into the possibility of establishing a scheme of unemployment insurance in New Zealand to replace the present system, under which relief is limited to those who are destitute. A Canterbury remit was also passed urging that land tax be abolished and income tax substituted. A remit was adopted expressing rhe view that the restrictive provisions o. the Board of Trade Act, the Commercial Trusts Act, and the Cost of Living Act operate to the detriment of business and community generally, ami should be amended. Other remits passed were that land tax be abolished and income tax substituted. It was decided that the 103 a conference be held at Napier. . The election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Mr. A. H. Allen (Dunedin); vice-president, Mr. Stronach Paterson (Wellington); excutive, South Island, Messrs C. B. Tapley (Invercargill), H. G. E. Turner and A. F. Wright (Canterbury), G. D. Virtue (South Canterbury): North Island, Messrs. A. S. Burgess (Wanganui), A. G. Lunn (Auckland), Haskell Anderson (Napier), A. M. Seaman (Auckland), H. J. V. Jones, J* Halligan, C. A- L. Treadwell, D. J. McGowan, G. C. McCaul, J. P. Luke, C. B Norwood (Wellington) ; vice-presi-dents, Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire, Mr. W. Machin (Christchurch).