CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Evening Star, Issue 16033, 9 February 1916, Page 7

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The committee of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce held a meeting yesterday afternoon, Mr G. W. Gibson presiding.

Tho Secretary reported on the question of certain interned German vessels. Ho said that the Hontman was due in Sydney on February 2 with 1,350 tons of cargo ex Roon (interned at Java). About half the cargo was covered by full sets of bills of lading, but consignees not holding complete sets had declined, to furnish “unconditional guarantees,” and had no prospect of receiving delivery. With the exception of one small invoice there was small prospect of the delivery of any of the goods on the Orsova (interned at Java) on account of the incomplete bills of lading, but consigners by the Lnbcck had received delivery. The Assistant-secretary of the Post Office, Wellington, wrote stating that the department did not incur both steamer and train transit charges for heavy parcel mails from the United Kingdom, as the small saving in time did not warrant the additional expense. The parcel mail received in Auckland by the Kia Ora had been forwarded by sea at the first opportunity.—The letter was received.

Correspondence was read in connection with the allegation that a shipment of rabbits which had been placed on the Ruapehu at Port Chalmers was in a faulty condition. It was stated that it was found impossible to examine the cargo on the vessel’s arrival in Auckland, on her homeward trip, but that it would be examined in London on behalf of the department of the New Zealand Department of Agriculture—Received.

The Hon. James Allen wrote stating that it_ would appear that trade between New Zealand and Samoa was not increasing as it should, and suggesting that commercial travellers should be sent round the islands—The Secretary reported that he forwarded the gist of the letters to all members of the chamber who were exporters, and his action was approved.

Mr F S. Pope, secretary of the v Department of Agriculture, wrote stating that the Government of New South Wales had decided that a 10 per cent, preference was to be extended to goods or material of British or Empire manufacture, as against those of other countries, imported into that state for the use of the New South Wales Government departments. They had also decided that this preference was to be inclusive of any preferential Customs duty that might already obtain in the case of the particular material affected. Mr Pope pointed out that the Governments of tho respective states in the Commonwealth had hitherto paid the same amount of duty on all goods imported by them as anv private firm would have done, and that tho concession now granted might prove of value to any New Zealand manufacturers who consigned goods from time to time to the New South Wales Government.

The "Vigilance Committee were instructed to inquire into the methods adopted by the Department of Munitions in calling for tenders for supplies of grain, produce, etc., and to report to the chamber. It was decided to send a letter to the Oamaru Chamber, congratulating it on its formation.

The president, vice-president, and Mr A. S. Paterson wore appointed a sub-comnutteo to draft- a resolution of condolence on the death of Sir Joshua Williams.

It was decided to request the Post Office officials to forward mails to Oamaru and Timarn by the 0.40 a.in. goods train, and to Milton and Balclutha Jjytho 10.45 p.m. goods train. Mr Kumajiro Iwatsubo (Kyoto) wrote intimating that ho was forwarding portraits of the Emperor and Empress of Japan, taken in their-coronation robes. Tho coronation took place on November 10 last year.

A letter was received from- tho associated chambers of Australia, conveying a. resolution as to bringing British manufacturers into closer touch with Australian' markets and diverting to Great Britain trade hitherto done'with manufacturers outside the Empire.— Received.