WELLINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Evening Star, Issue 11863, 17 April 1903, Page 1

WELLINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

WELLINGTON, April 17. The president’s address at the Chamber - of Commerce expressed gratification with the increased trade of the port and the fact that the prices of staple products were satisfactory, which presented every appearance, of being maintained. Referring to harbor improvements, it touched upon several necessary works, and also on the necessity for the better lighting of the entrance to Wellington Harbor. The latter called -for the earnest consideration of the Harbor Board, and no doubt proposals would shortly be made to the Government regarding it,. Dealing with the proposed dock, tie president thought the chosen site was not suitable, nor could a scheme be carried out for the amount (a quarter of a million sterling). He feared there would be a loss of between £15,000 and £20,000 a year, which, he thought, would necessite an increased harbor rate, and Wellington in the course of a decade would become the dearest instead of the cheapest port in the colony. Mr Nathan further said the Government intended to give effect to the resolution'of the Conference in reference to a uniform fire policy. He was hopeful that a reduction in the London wool charges would shortly be obtained. After touching upon South African trade and ocean mail services, he referred to the remodelling of the law relating to joint slo.!, ompanies. Mid said that while the Leg.; . c should carefully provide as far as p,.. .. o against fraud in promoting and carrying on companies, it should not hamper or restrict the operations of legiti-' mate companies. With respect to the metric system of weights and measures, he declared, that unless the Government took the matter up with, energy it would not be adopted in this colony, and it was regrettable that the Minister of Railways did not introduce it in a small way on the colonial railways. Speaking of probable new legislate regarding the Bank of New Zealand, the president hoped that shareholders would not be unnecessarily interfered with, and that the interests or the colony as a whole would be safeguarded. In conclusion, he said it was gratifying to find the colony so prosperous, and was firmly convinced that the ensuing year would show a further advance.