CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Evening Star, Issue 10149, 30 October 1896, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

A meeting of the Committee was held yesterday ; present—Messrs G. L. Denniston (president), T. R. Fisher, J. M. Gallaway, P. R. Sargood, D. E. Theomiii, and J. T. Mackerra?. A letter was received from the president of the Sydney Chamber intimating that it bad been decide! to hold the proposed conference of chambers of commerce iu Sydney in Easter week, 1897—The secretary was instructed to communicate with the Christchurch Chamber as to the. representation of the colony at the conference.

The General Manager, New Zealand Railways, wrote, in reply to letters re charges on the Otsgo Central line, stating that the Id per ten per mile branch lino rate on goods of classes A, B, C, and D would be abolished on the Ist November next.—The letter wa3 received with satisfaction.

A letter from Mr H. C. Cameron, Manchester, with reference to the improvement of the Home market for New Zealand produce, was referred to the chairman to report to next meeting. The Loudon Chamber of Commerce wrote at length in reference to the vexed question of bills of lading, stating that the Shipowners' Society had declined to meet in conference the Australian delegates, and that resolutions had been passed subsequently at a conference between the Australian delegates and the Australasian trade section of the Chamber to the following effect:—(l) That steps should be taken to introduce Bills into the various Parliaments defining the liability of shipowners; (2) that tho outward and homeward forms should be considered and dealt with separately; (3) that the Australasian Chambers be asked to adopt the Australasian and New Zealand steam bill of lading, 1893, as the outward form; and (4) that they should draw up and agree upon ft homeward form suitable to their requirements.—The correspondence was referred to a sub-committee, consisting of the President, Mr Fisher, and Mr Sargood, to frame a reply, the opinion of the Committee being that nothing short of Imperial legislation will have the desired effect.