CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Evening Star, Issue 12883, 4 August 1906, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

In seconding the motion for the adoption of the annual report at yesterday's meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr C. W. Rattray said in the course of his remarks: It has lately been well pointed out by Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., what a number of properties there are in Otago that are suited for close settlement, and how little laud has been taken by the Government within fifty miles uf Dunedin since the land purchase scheme was introduced. For. our share of Government expenditure in this form and for railway extension I take leave to suggest that the Chamber might even still more vigorously ass st the efforts of our members and the local railway leagues. —(Hear, hear) For che Government's efforts in one direction we have to be grateful, and that is for their evident intention to try an extensive scheme of irrigation in Central Otago. This they have already inaugurated. Our unfortunate harbor has, of course, to carry on its back a great deal of the blame for our restricted trade opportunities, but in this direction I hopu- we may find matters gradually improving. The Board have in late years been able to make considerable remisson on export dues and, dues on shipping, and in both th&e cases we are somewhat on a parity with the other ports of the colony; but our import dugs are still oppressively heavy. Personally, I am hopeful that as soon as tboßoard. h;ive completed some present works; purtir cularly the formation of the export \vbaj-f at Jetty street, which i* connected with the railway, they will be able to, for a time at least, considerably decrease their expenditure, which shou'd probably gradually allow rome remission of these heaw dre*.— (Hear, hear.) Speakins of the Harbor Board reminds one naturally of the difficulty with the Railway Department and the Board's reserves. Dunedin certainly owes a debt of gratitude to the Chamber's representative, the Hon. Mr Fergus, for the very capable and energetic manner in which he has taken up the quest : on of the Government's filching of the Board's reserves, and I think we can rely on him not to let the matter drop until ?ome satisfaction has been obtained.—(Applause.) There is just one other matter to which I should like to refer. The report very properly .-peats of the Good work done by' the Committee in assisting to have the foreign-f-oing stenn> ers brought to the wharf, but I would like to draw attention to a case which happened lately and wh ; ch I referred to at a late meeting of the Harbor Board. The srtenmer Ardgowan, from New York, arrived here drawing 19ft. The captain declined to come to Dunedin. having no 6pecial instruction and not being required to do so undej his charter. Tt seems to me that a case of this k : nd might well be taken up by the Chamber's Slipping Committee, and the owner 1 - or charterers, who in this cas* were the United States and Australian Stenm Ship Company, should be written to on the subiect. There are several lines now trading from New York, and most of them make a point of coming to Dunedin. It, is obviously unreasonable that importers should lie mulcted to the extent of £2OO or £3OO. as they were in this instance, for raila?e from Port Chalmers If ca e* where steamers could come to Dunediri ard won't were taken up in this way by the company, we should soon cehse to have complaints on thi« score.—(Applause.) The motion was carried without discussion.

The President declared the following gen. tlemen clerted officer-- of the Chamber fnr tbe ensuing year:—President. Mr J. W. Herrton; VTe-president. Mr Walter Gow: rornmi't.^ee—The F"n. T. Fergus, Mcsrs R M. Clark, J. M. Galhway, L. H. Harris, D. M'Pherson, G. R, Ritchie, and H. Salmon.

Mr John Davie was rp-elected auditor.

On behalf of the newly-plected president, Mr Clark tlnnked the members for the honor thev had conferred upon him. On.the motion of Mr G. L. Dpnnisfon. a hearty vote of thanks wrs acrorded the retiring president and office-bearers for their services during the year. Mr R. Chisholm and Dr Hocken attended the meeting. We mention this by way of correcting the report appearing yesterday, in which their names accidentally placed amongst the apologies. Mr E. R. Smith was also present.