ADDRESS BY MR. J. DUTHIE.

Evening Post, Volume LIX, Issue 126, 29 May 1900, Page 5

ADDRESS BY MR. J. DUTHIE.

AN INTERESTING REVIEW. At tlie quarterly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce this afternoon Mr. J. Dutliie, the President of the Chamber, delivered an address on matters of special interest to the community generally. Mr Duthie in the course of his remarks feaid : — Soon after my appointment to tkis chair some two months ago, I was twitted by an active member of the Industrial Association that the Chamber was a very somnolent body, and while replying that the scope of its objects did not call lor an ever feverish energy, yet I am not sure but that there are grounds for the impression, and it may be that we are all too matter of fact, and sadly need some enthusiastic crank amongst us. RAILWAY EXTENSION On such questions as for instance railway extension tt»s L>aamber has not given the puolic an energetic lead, it has perhaps not pushed su,ch works sufficiently on the notice of Ihe local representatives, or even supported their efforts. Probably members of the Chamber scarcely even themselves realise the extent to which they are already indebted, for the increase of trade in recent years, to the opening up of the Rangitikei Valley by this North Island Trunk Railway. The wasteful delay over this great work is a public scandal, and haj only been rendered possible by the opposition of a section in Auckland, sufficient to enable successive Ministries 10 temporarise. The impolicy of the course pursued is, however, now recognised, and it is satisfactory to see amongst the new representatives a live earnestness for the prosecution of thift work. The need for united action is apparent when I remind you that, while promising the completion of the connection within five years, yet, only £50,000 was voted for the work in 1898-9, and even of that only £42,815 was expended and the vote for the financial year just; closed was £70,000, an altogether insufficient amount in view of the magnitude and importance of the work. No work before Parliament is so generally recognised and approved. Still, we have this tedious progress, and consequent need ior activity by all who look to progress of the country from a colonial standpoint. THE TRADE OF THE DISTRICT. While I will not to-day attempt to intiict any lengthy statistics upon you, yet my predecessor at the annual meeting drew attention to the fact that the trade of this district was underrated through the present misleading system of Customs clearances. Much produce, for instance, shipped here, but originating from coastal ports, was omitted from tha exports of this port, and consequently ,the work of this, the main port, was greatly understated. EXPORTS. It is impossible to unravel ihese returns, but that the productive wealth of those districts should be better understood, I have treated the exports oi the provincial districts of Wellington, Hawkes Bay, and Taranaki as a total, and find that, although nov grain-growing or gold producing provinces, still m 1899, with a mean population of 201,903, their total exports were £3,730,475, being equal to £18 9s 6d per head, compared with the rest of the colony, on a population of 547,821, exporting £8,197,054, o.- at the rate of £14 19s 3d per head, an excsss of £3 10s 3d per head, ox over £700,000 for these districts above che rest of the colony. IMPORTS. On turning to imports, the comparison cannot be made so accurate, since Auckland, for instance, mainly imports sugar for all the colony, and here we may have a small excess of Government imports , but I have tabulated the four principal provincial divisions, and find for 1899 — Popula- Value of Average tion. Imports, per bead. & £, s. d. Canterbury ... 143,091 1,569,239 10 18 0 Otago ... 173,413 2,149,567 12 711 Auckland ... 164,194 2,258,584 13 15 2 Wellington ... 131,079 2,181,582 16 12 10 Colony ... 749,7214 8,069,539 11 11 3 Although a good deal 'could be said pro and con as to this- inrpoft comparison, it at least fully bears out the value of our position as a distributing centre. The comparison is one for which members of this Chamber have some reason to be proud, since we are associated to protect and extend the commerce of the port and district. MAIL SERVICES. The next question on my notes is the unsatisfactory position of the ocean mail servicea. For some years contractors have had to submit to one squeeze after another, and to work under yearly contracts. Where large capital is employed, and better steamers are wanted for the development of a remunerative passenger trade, the owners, both in the Vancouver and San Francisco trade, have naturally for long been discontented, and when the Government allowed the Vancouver to about run out before seeking a renewal it was not to be wondered at that the owners left the Government in the lurch. The position is different with San Francisco. With a view to extend commerce, and provide available steamers in /;ase of war, the United States Government have agreed to heavily subsidise American steamers, and we see that Messrs. Spreckles have secured the Australasian contract, with a £50,000 subsidy. On this, three 6000 ton. steamers are being built and are nearly ready for the trade. Mn Spreckles is evidently a man of decision. • Hitherto the P,ostal Department ha° arranged time tables to suit public convenience. Mr. Spreckles apparently considers only what suits his firm's convenience. He can run his boats most economically at three weekly intervals, so he fixes up his time table at thai odd interval, with his outward steamer to leave Auckland two days before the inward, and for this peculiar service, b/* intimates that he requires the colony's contribution to be increased to £30,000. The net cost for 1898-99 of the San Francisco mail service to this colony, excluding the interprovincial distribution and American transit, is shown to have been £10,288, against which £10,399 was received by postage in the colony, and I doubt whether the colony should agree to so large an increase, especially if without that proper control hitherto exercised. The conduct of the New Zealand Government has for long been so exasperating that for one I confess to a good deal of sympathy with the American contractors. But this proposal and American legislation excludes the New Zealand vessels from the trade. Tf the Government does not agree, it seems possible that the San Francisco steamers may go direct to Sydney, but ai whatever cose nr whatever f.he consequences, the carriage of our mails and so large a subsidy, payable by this colony, should not be allowed to pass entirely to another flag. If we do the like, we will speedily loose our position as the leading maritime power of the world. SYDNEY -SUEZ MAIL SERVICE. Nothing has as yet been done to improve the connection with the Suez mail service at Sydney. Tn the normal slate of things, the mails reach that port either on Wednesday or Thursday, and lie there until the following; Tuesdavi Mails

i! i ii— mil i 1 from England suffer the shorter detention of three or four days. The Government attempted last session to remedy this by a special contract, but interests affected were too strong even for the Government. PENNY POSTAGE. Some bix years ago authority was taken by Act to empower the Governor-in-Coun-cil to reduce inland postage to one penny Mr. Ward was then, as now, Postmaster General. Effect was not then given to the reform on the plea that the revenue could not then ffford it. Prior to the last genera] election the Right Hon. the Premier promised this reduction as one of his policy measures, and now, with the surplus of £650,000 claimed, I have been searching each Gazette, expecting the reduction. I am sure the subject has now only to be mentioned. BUBONIC PLAGUE. Trade and travelling had been much harassed of late by restrictions, more or less necessary, through the outbreak of plague in Australia. Our quarantine regulations were evidently immature, but those responsible deserve a- good deal of sympathy in their efforts, if even they occasionally became somewhat hysterical. Latterly, the Government have -sought to ease matters by calling upon passengers allowed to land to report themselves. It is to be hoped that recent experience will induce legislation to be passed which, while protecting the public health, will i educe detention. In the East, where this scourge has long existed, the experience is that Europeans livibg in healthy sanitary situations seldom or ever suffer, although the plague may prevail in native quarters all round, and we may at least be grateful to the Premier for his vigorous raid on filth. On more than one occasion there was most unjustifiable detention of mails ; the case of the Waikare being one in point. Although this vessel anchored in quarantine about 8 o'clock on Thursday morning, yet it -was late next day before her mails were delivered, and the officials all appear to be satisfied. On similai lines the Talune mail was only delivered this forenoon, although the steamer's arrival was reported yesterday morning. TRANSMISSION OF POWER. A subject which might at an early date fairly engage the attention of your Council is the question of power for lifts and manufacturing purposes. The city wate; supply is at times insufficient. The Muni pal Council, however, apparently contem plates generating electricity, which they may be able to offer as a substitute, but tne experience of the Harbour Board as to the cost of hydraulic power is available, and it might be well, in the common interest, that full enquiry was made. As indicative ot the importance of this question, the powev service requires 39 million gallons of water annually, and produces a revenue of £9750. RAILWAY CONCESSIONS. Ali will, I am sure, be rejoiced to learn this morning of the concessions and eccelerated services proposed by the Minister of Railways. It is gratifying to find that this has been possible, since Tail way prosperity is generally accepted as out of the best tests of the condition of any country. There is, however, a small omission, ii the concessions enumerated are the whole, in the exclusion of the North Isiand from any reduction on annual tickets. Through being cut off by the Manawatu irom the Wanganui lines, attle use was here made of yearly tickets Now, with .reduced single fares, i.hey will be of no advantage whatever. CABLE SERVICES. Considering the ever increasing necessity to use the cable, the position is not very satisfactory. Tliere »s reason lo i'ear that at least certain oi '.lie Auacralian Governments are lukewarm over the Pacific scheme, but to-day's telegram.; are more encoui'agmg, as Victoria seems now xo have fully pledged itself, iw v cablegram on 18th inst. the Board's* estimated cost oi the Pacific line m now £1,800,000, an advance of £300,000. and the ioss on a- two shilling j-aie is se^ down at £54,000. ii these figures jr.; reliable, it would surely be -well to proceed with it, since it is iiopeless to expect any such rate from the Eastern Company, and if this Pacific scheme now iaha through there is no hope of any rel ef fov quite a decade. In this connection, the recent so-called concession over intercolonial rates is a somewhat questionable blessing . True, a five word message formerly ss, now costs 2s id, but an ordinary message, which is usually oyer ten words, is now dearer, as an instance, fifteen words formerly cost 6s Id, now iv costs 6s 3d. Here, we see that the Government are keen co enforce the excess rate of one penny per word, although the ordinary rate for che first twelve words is sixpence. THE PORT OF WELLINGTON AND ITS ADVANTAGES. Before concluding, I may recall that seventeen years ago I was first elected to the Harbour Board, pledged to forward dock construction. A closer experience convinced me that, with our resource? and 30 much to do, the question mentioned must needs be postponed, and by a. consensus of opinion, the policy was generally accepted to extend wharf accommodation with all traffic facilities, and to keep the port a cheap resort for shipping. In passing, it is singular how many of one's colleagues of those days hihva passed from amongst vs — Messrs. Levin, Lancaster, Williams, Wheeler, and Speedy have gone the way we all must follow, while four others have removed to oihor ports. However, in the light of subsequent events,, it does not appear that ike policy of keeping down charges on shipping has, under the prevailing system of combination, met with its due reward. Shipowners have in no degree reciprocated, as Wellington, receives no advantage on inward or outward freight over other ports, or even open roadsteads. We are the nearest, and hence the cheapest coaling port, but these advantages bring us no benefit. Then, I have already pointed to" the callous indiffernce of the intercolonial steam companies as to suitable dates over our own Suef mail services, and evidently re-, monstrance is of no avail. From its advantageous position, Wellington ought to be the head quarters of the principal shipping fleet of the colony, and I hope that a result of Mr. Ferguson's travel^ will be that, without undue delay, proper docking and repairing accessories will speedily be provided, enabling the trade and shipping of the port to freely develop.