CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Evening Star, Issue 16824, 28 August 1918, Page 8

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

'ANNUAL MEETING

Mt WaJter Gow, the retiring president, occupied the chair at the annual meeting of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce JieH this oftoruoou m the Now Zeahnd Kxpre» Company's building There \u& a representative attendance ot members THE PRESIDLNTS VALLDICIORI. Tho Chairman *»i d. Gentlemen —I des le to move the adop ton of the annual leport of jour council—the thirtj first -un.ee the date 01 the ih in hers incorporation. Ims has been punted ard circulated, and v tth vour ptnrns«s on I shall take it as lei-i Ido net pmicae to ti»vor«e the mi» y subjects tt luc il 111 terest «rutoinirj on &w.h oocajon n1 to mil ct upon jcml log mausn, ot *-ut s tie.*, lactoe, iKdi ate impended to the esce lent rc ± *t tot in b Mr" Keren*, \ ho has so cfhcicrt'v hied the pj£"ce of our ale tsc it tun irt <\ trtmely mttrcs ing u wugu lion the jtoint If -ufwr ci our v 11 Cuj iid P-.T \mcft, not «x> encoi _" 15 j« coital be mated Ttov axe u'l w r+b. cm til 7 erufeal b) m r ra 1 1 t ( ilu i' >in>wII gas they do V e eticct wln 1 present war cjnditoio hue. ' i 1 Ipc n the trade and 1 u>mmere-e of fiD

upon, the hroe' f t h tt ots rot f"ec tw>m some g~ 1 1 ' 1 * In com man with chj 1 i ..» tf the Donuj en we are begum ng t 1 the tftesU ot 'no re aUction cf *i n * 1 t u'ltci fii m the cxpvt vi"in einuiniil ktv; o -uj to H -1 f li ti -b't ti i« tt/ •well mtnt-t > hito and t» hno im^o-abtt" v * , ul 1 t v It & m han td uhiea ie- 1 bio there 1* now teal diiij;er .»t j, u, 1 I »ru/ in ten eeqnance of tre s t t ' ntu«i n to mamtiia ' li < vh u » cui orr f->rmiiig i 1 t 1<? t-ue hj\* committing th ti 1 1 to 1 .»v].i t0 is and p it 1 ' c ,eit -p 1 j- nirn s ©utloc a. dth . d ' c t e e1 jo Kit, feltOi h citin aij bn _ like =ali( n n , to Cinv our prctlu ' 5 i ec t 1 1 1 1 1 inui keta. shj* «wlo <' Ju.iltj u. ic c nd to

•—Shipping—

|9 greatlv tampering our import jnd mev4hant business, find aLo our Industries. Ihexi niie-n it is poss'Uo to {secure supplier of cr niutei'al m PriuitJ, Anifiica, of Jaian, the diibtuLty *i getting trinspurt, to the Dptumi-ii is s«oraing gre-itor every day, ..rd iLj • k It is exorb'taitly high. 1 kruw jnrk'cdy wed that this is a direct c ur-e----r.iwrice ot the erorrriotia demai'd to.' shipping- for Trar j-BLijos-es, anl t>> tl * djp'o--4.1 rii of the ■world's tonnage b;, A"a..uw theierore, we aio coir>pt> led to nnbe the be-t > f it. But I a-si t-t uiiuLu thit the mtuation ba\e hen. nriertoCy relieved if t.ie authorities could rave been kwluced to make mero u?e or r Tiling troopships k-r the transport of inon-handiae. ReprceuKitirn* b"\o bmn nidc again and again urg.: g th.'t trr-* u, d^ae—so fur, hoiveTCT, vita, no t-tv t ey *£ Hal result.

—Trade and Waning to Tradsr-. V 13 satisfactory to bo able to say. after inquiry, that the turnover of cur who L- * and retail distributing businesses in trh- Uity has, during the past year, be 2 veil maintained—at any rate that ia t tt cs't, measuring by value; yet when ii e c." flatly-increased value of every kind o moorted commodity i 3 taken into account

theio must be a considerable falling off in total volume of trade. This, in view of the difficulties referred to, is only what night be expected, and a reference to the Harbor Board returns confirms the fact. Incite 1 in 'ess something can be done to iikui o shipping fiuhties we must look ioi shll iin the filling off In this connection it mn lc well to gne a word of win us; to tiukrs. who hivo been doing vel l «ii\< prwes legin to n«e It is ali\ c i ti ipp rintls mike money on a in i i t t nd m i\ceptionil opporlinu ' i it I'lubttdh filh nto such firms i \eu 0 ' lin'lu- oi luge btocks purc'n id at i i mi pmc* It is levertheic s quit i mi tike to is-nime that tho , W) i t , | ,}, ip! unit p o'lt is ivailable ( ii j n i nt ot dividends or for ~j t ill ti i It ibn ilk- is to continuo ix i iit i n =t( cl shi\o to be nmnta-med, in tic \ iclnusts must bo leplenished v. tn ne\ upho it giuillv euhanced t t \\| iuu con 1 110lis" tcise and \lt !,m ti tde uui ng the return t i inn mi Mi ii* it will be impossible t> u ui c nnou mil *t cks without conmin '' d p i liblo loss. It vi ill b huutl In' it l- even er-ier to lose n i ,i , h'm; ii ui ct th mto make it iii \ i t such i contingency ( , % pn 1 u ii (tthut will nnko pro- \ ,\ i t j ibli t> do so. A I 11 i , t 1 ! i j rt u'l !n\ that your ii 1 i i km m ItcHul ot the int i i uu, |at o! the Dominion, and \ i \u\ ,ic it d<- il ot woik of a lit uitii hit etc- \t the it t' ,i it is tui tli it the veir 3 work ' 1 iihu Ik n„ is to meters of L i t tt tuu It would peilnps _be nil ui j iv t it tin o\ era helming i 1 t 'i 11 it i 1w u tenng upon t % 1 11 111 Iml not vet in sight, u v c ' «t 1 ill minor in- ( ibis 1 I 1 ispunlh evident , mi T th ]) > nini m Governi n n' jl 1 ti 1 i\t been overtaken ' ]ll' i 1 il 1 in to every 1 * nil (jo ibi 1* <xupt fruch as is II th Kiiiut i 1 il tit war and the 1 nt 1 1 1 re t 11, hof our coutl i 1 1 tli lit -mi hj lung the t i it In 1 l i 1 quit uu 1 ibi to secure 1 ti 11 01111 nt lciud to many 1 ii v)i ii hi t'h ot urgent im- ( , K t 1 tir hts but also to t 1 t i th vhi ' Dominion. I 1 -pi i i that it is ne coary to 1 1 n 1' r i t 1

—."set Cur House in Order—■ i:i view of the contingencies of the future,

is I 11 1 . mi.itmu 1V the th.mged condi--1 us \ v 11 i' .< - ,11 be called upon to t to mm • (i 1 in n 1 uk'o 111 concluded. That n ditmns ait hKA\ to bo greatly changed \1 1 hj i i >(! 'in <nLi_vuno who has j.iuu i" ui V i'V'l't i'i t'lo subject. There ii'-, i: i «u a, ,'ievt shaking of dry I-opl- Pui.aoi'i cf chimbois. business cotu'iKikL- 1 uli mit;>t,u\ committees and Connui-sioi.-, i'i . au' Invo disclosed

i , m\ cleikl- ,mJ " in tho coniihh.il -\M>n "f t!n> rnrpiic, to buy 110t'anj; o: 1 - 1 1 ti> - idir">i>* ; therefore it 1- 'iievitilh ti tt sol} >ieat dungt's are nnpciidui,: Tt is to he b iped that orgau-i-'at.on, a» I nl.Mp pctc >-aiy, <ontrol, will bo applied Id mJ,i-ti\ and commerce to srJi an ex.< 1 t ,i» to prevent tho possibility - o;" 'ii, ■ ,u tm hiding (ho Kmpire so absolutely dn'tiidiiit upon foreign, and t\--n uinrierdh. uumtnci, for so many tiling- \.hich aie essential to its wellk'lV. and, imi.e'. iit'l to it« existence. ■ —Don..v-L„ Unnecessarily Mi htd

v f-r t! iti\t->if our Dominion ( t.l rm 1 i l nuiicl i freely give ta t]ut U 1 r m t\ it doing our t) 1 1[ n l't li uuteinnce of the 1 it IT lpiio of v, nth w toim a part, ' t> ] 1 j tuito lu lite institutions t utiv'u 1 li T t mi IUI be worth n 1 Mti vi rot th rut look referred ft [ch ti ion eit iolH to continue 1 i=ttatl to vhehe irgent domestic legis--01 his I n dint e\tr since- tho I 1 tui—ol 1 iu ii iilku tiie National —(. i\t. 1 nt ( 1111 Itr txis*ence. If it

1 \ —md I 1111 expressing no 0 1 1 11 0 j- jmt— nt tho Prime "M 1 1 t<_" 1 th"v Dura men Treasurer cud I •'t i f fiom thtir posts for so 1 at int ben sth lattery arxangeTi fchou 1 1 1 vo liter mada not only ri i] \ t t iv on bu* to piepare necesu\ k_i l"hon for the- future. It is 1,1 it- 1 tii t \ c =hou'd be to'd as has so 1 1 n be n. 1* ca" th t tne absence of t' 3 tto rtnie 3 it impossible t mke 1 1 rtt ttv pieparations. A \nil - \ iil tint I d not etek to depreti t th £ cd vieik which ha ben done— 1 if nn t iUs 1 j.Vo been m ids and even 1 ~ i i >n 10 mutn tnticism —and 1 p -it br *- bt giateful fot the devoted

11 i '; hj 1 mar a bn Jimex Allen, ih \ iik at th b"id of the Defence D t iLn nt 1 \ oitli\ of a ll praise, and wli 1 hj li' m moiial We also (\ t r tt in e t'nt <-v 1 important matt u « tr tii 11 ce in unttninco of commit 11 ti ith t v tutbik xvorld, disi] I t 11 tijiut icui its oversea u1 1 jioifc In 1 qi u 1 n 1 ucQived much I <■ 1 nd it'nitoi i iko his the quest 1 r in an ititirnof supplies (already r 11 1 to) t alter dmitting all this, ti i t ttli ui 1 tht iutt mU for dealing vita ix \ll ti tnt tit lit hi and thai dih lull> I 1 3 u b neglected. In re T ird "'c tin

- Imp id lv 1 it ion* th hj 1 tit 1 1 0 1 foi th" absence of our p U i 1 t I lib t> 1 irL no doubt 11 S 1 t 1 htd md there have [Y t in! e u iti 11 1 id in u proposals P to th 1 tl 1 r 1. 1 11 .s them. Al- * 01 k \ ' 1 \ nl rktkrt that tho innoi' n c r 1 pjminioi \-itliin the 1 J t ! r 1 i t' 1 1 tt \ oukl appear to '1 nt 0 _i ml ot ii"t 01 jopulation, I „ " u ul nl aitti til, that in T1 i ( i ( L m ■» Imperial problems, l t t 1 n iv Mtitiu'l be solved, tii 1 i lu 1 trmpaiitively small L i t ) 111. 11 d \ tn the Mother Counti (it In 1 ntoiit of the Empire. a 1 in n [ a to tmo of them , ] 1 ~ \( shou'd make our 1 j n 1 it 1 tneitfore satisfaat i / tl u ui pol ml chiefs are , 1 1 t 1 1 ji instance, the 1 1 1 t id *ig within 1 ' 1 sin 1 it doe-, such tariff ' ' wi 1 Tt tht di uribution of 1 1 il ui lo' tit products of , j ] ,t 11 lu tn mt ndy_ within , I 1 in It ' o in allied or 1 r di t nti ona which must be jo •■lnt wo may not I ( t 111 hantige, Then j | , tho most ! t dl othtrs—of the , j 1 i It, is and tetri--1 1 1 11 11 in tiie meantime I ti ti Hit Gurman Ilm- \ l In i\ pcij ic of tht) Do--1 ( 1 th 1 o uncertain I v 1 1 t ' 1 \ to know that II i 111 it lutn j, our views In ' i j (] 1 , 1 n ti r I would be an inI nt k titU I utidi Donr'nions it 1 1 d 1 m Tlcrni [lie to were any aril 1 ui if 1 id Ui H oul 1 ] 1 titit of Ger--11 i s un iuj r 1 footing jn the ' 1 1 1 -\ *he- Iho'ds to hel p u, 11 tiling foi woild dominat u then t ui l-c no 'otunty for her n piiti 111 ii in 1 ir pe cr anywhere (' t t 1 tkei doe-, jit appear to be any n lit ' t '•n 1 t 1 - experienced a clnrj„r« of 1 it "With Germany the doc--1 ti i n \ oil I power at the point of

the sward, t**erman domination under the ni.me of kultar to be imposed upon subordinated peoples. If such were to become possible, then perhaps for conturies to come there would be am end of world progress toward righteousness and free democracy. It may be that the final settlement -will not leave the control entirely in the hands of the British, but whatever arrangement is agreed upon we ought to be on our guard against the principle which has been so much in evidencein some quarters, and which is spoken of as tho right of self-determination. That principle may bo upheld as very proper and just when applied to nationalities which are capable of such self-determina-tion, bat if applied in the case of peoples only just emerging from the darkness of savagery the result could only bo disaster. Not only so, but the interests of the adjacent <x>mmtmitics in contact with them are entitled to reasonable consideration, and therefore for the time being, at any rate, there must be oonttrol and tutelage, oare being taken to see that proper and euffioient safeguards are provided to secure tho uplifting and development of the native races. I have referred to the necessity far making preparation in order that wo mav bo a,cfo to meet the

—Steenuoita Times — which «ro looming In the near future. In the performance of our duty in regard to tho proseoution of the war, wo have incurred enormous liabilities, and even if the war ended tc-moncw w© shall have to face much heavier taxation than we have ever ■been accustomed to an past years. At 1 the pitwent moment, when all is bright and rosy, the burden does not seem unduly great, but we cannot expect that tho present high vaJues being realised for otw produce will continue indefinitely,_ so that the bitrden which we now cany with comparative ease may become exceedingly oppressive when values recede to normal. It is neoessajry, therefore, that every possible effort should bo made to increase our productivenesft ITte export figures which wo show are based upon present-day values, anid, of course, the increase of our exports appears to bo phenomenal. Whether the increase would appear at all so satisfactory if measured by volume instead of value is quite another matter. I fear that a careful comparison on that basis would bo rather disapjxwntlng than otherwise. If wo are to continue advancing so that Increased volume may compensate for decreasing vaJue, then there are many questions which require Immediate We must have our

—Land Legislation.— inquired into and revised as far o-s is necessary to attract more and more close settlement of capablo people upon the land. Wo shall probably bo compelled to initiate a policy of immicrration not only to provide that the land shall bo fully occupied, but also to provide that there shall be enough labor available for its proper cultivation when it is occupied. Wo must see to it that more adequate provision la made for scientific training in agricultural pursuits, and Otago, which has so long teen neglected in this direction, ehonld insist npon the establishment of experimental farms within her borders. The experimental farms which have been established in the North Island by the Government, although apparently somewhat costly luxuries, have nevertheless been productive of very practical results in showing what it is possible to do even with somewhat unpromising land. So much would bo admitted by anyone who had any acquaintance with the Waikato district before the establishment of the Buakura farm, and who cares to make a visit there to-day. The —Need for Such Scientific Trainingis clearly made manifest by an article which appeared only in last Friday's 'Star' entitled 'Slipping Backwards,' and whiohj by the way, has been the subject of articles in both our newspapers. It is the report of an address given by Mr Healey, the agricultural instructor of the Otago Education Board. It is not at all pleasant reading, and even if we cannot agree with Mr Healey fn all his conclusions he at any rate makes it quite evident that Otago farming is not by any means what it ought to be, and that we are indeed slipping back in the matter of productiveness. A remedy Is imperative, and it should be our business to assist in finding it. We believe that the scientific training of young men who propose to take up farming pursuits would prove 0110 of the very best remedies. In the course of my reading recently I came upon upon the following illustration of what is possible by this means s The American Department of Agriculture formed a few years ago what wero called "Boys' Clubs," and they got from the department literature and pamphlets instructing them bow to grow wheat, or fruit, or corn, or other produce. The department offered a prize to the first 15 boys who grew the greatest number of bushels to the aero. They entered the competition with enthusiasm, and one boy 15 years of age took 227 bushels of corn off an acre, and this has since been beaten by a boy who got 234 bushels to tho acre. You know the aversion tho average farmer has to tho man who come 3 from town with a clean collar to teach hiin how to farm; yet these boys taught their fathers. Tho best missionary the department had was an old farmer who smiled at these new methods ; but he saw his son working away at an acre he had given him for the competition, and he thought to himself " That little rascal has been taught something about that land—it has never «rown corn before." Ho said to the boy: "I will take that acre, and you can take any other acre you choose." Tho little fellow was disappointed, but ho tried another patch. Tho old farmer got 8A bushels to the acre, and the young fellow got 82. The father would 20 100 mile 3 after that to a meeting to help along scientific farming. In Illinois, the corn State, 2&£ bushels to the acre was considered good. Seven years afterwards, owing to tho boy clubs, 42 bushels per acre wore got. "This scientific farming had a tremendous effect npon tho production of tho country, and it was, of course, only a beginning. This Heads mo to say that our whole system of I—Education—requires careful consideration. T cannot claim to be an educationist, and therefore must not speak dogmatically upon the subject. Our primary education is probably quite efficient, or, at any rate, as efficient as can be exported under a systom which takes no cognisance of the "fact that a child has a spiritual side to develop as well 03 an Intellectual. I would, however, like to see more attention given to the teaching of history, and especially of the manner ,of the development of our free institutions, so that our children might be free from the jingoistic spirit which so often passes for patriotism, and be imbued with a tnio spirit of patriotism, based upon knowledge. But it la principally in regard to our secondary education that I think we Ml short, and it appears to mo that this is so because we continue to drive our scholars all along practically tho same path. It as in the more advanced stages of education that we ouzht to provide for diversity of intellect, and capacity, and to differentiate more than we do, according to the probable life work which the pupil proposes to .undertake. Our technical schools are certainly doing good work in that direction, but oven they ava in danger of 'having their efficiency marred by becoming merely continuation schools. Tiiat continuation schools are necessary is admitted; but provision should bo made to supply that need independently altogether of the technical schools, which should be devoted entirely to scientific and technical education. Moreover, the sooner we can have technical schools established in country districts, giving special attention to such subjects as will aid in the development of the districts in which they are located, the (better it will be for all concerned. This would no doubt cost money, but it would be mone}' well spent, and, except that efficient teaching must bo secured, it would not be necessary to fit out lavishly expensive establishments. An extension "of the work done already in some of our country primary sohools would be a good .beginning ; ibut teachers who aro specialists would require to be procured, as the first condition of success. CorrelaI tiv© to the special teobnical and scientific I training of our youth to enable them to [ make the most of their opportunities in

agriculture or jn any other department o.f industry which they propose to foWow, arises the question of general scientific research, with a view to the development of the natural resources of the Dominion. We have already produccdi in our universities, and doubtless will continue to produce, young men of high scientific attainment, and it has always appeared to me to be an extraordinary thing that so many of these young men should be compelled to leave the Dominion in order to find scope for. their ability, or even to find employment. The Government have recently set aside a small sum for the purpose of scientific research within the Dominion; but, 'in my opinion, it would pay handsomely to set aside thousands instead of hundreds of pounds for this purpose. I would like to see a fully-equipped- scientific research department established, either as a. separate institution or attached to one of our universities, which would devote itself entirely to research and experiments in every direction likely to prove of value to the Dominion or to the industry of the Dominion. Such an institution would give scope to many of the capable young men wo now turn out of our universities, so that their aervieos might be retained in the Dominion. In addition to sufficient salaries paid to its staff, bonuses should be granted for valuable discoveries. The cost of maintenance would bo greatly relieved by making moderate hut sufficient charges to manufacturers and others who woiUtl take advantage of tho services such a department could render. —Reforms Needed. — As I do not wish to detain you unduly I will just refer very shortly to two or three other matters which, in my opinion, require to bo dealt with as early as pc*. jsiblo:

1. Tlie extension of our railway system so as to provide better internal communication and to make possible the closer settlement and development which we so much need. In Otaso, at any rate, we have been of late years very much neglected. We must push to set a fair share of expenditure in this dtirectdont Our Otago Central line has como practically to a standstill. I am afraid I shall never see it accomplished, but I still desire an extension of that Imo to open up the entire Upper Clutha Valley, and not stopping there, bo pushed on over to tho West Coast and northwards, opening up a great stretch of country and connecting us with the mineral districts in the same manner that Canterbury is now connected. 2. The question of oversea Shipping after the war ends. I behove thoroughly in private enterprise aa being usually the most satisfactory method of development. But when any undertaking is of such magnitude as to bo beyond the reach of private enterprise or the salutary check of competition, or such as lends itself to tho establißbmeut of a powerful monopoly or ring, ranch more concerned Jor its own than for the public welfare, then the question arises whether such an undertaking should not be the business of tho body corporate. Who would think of private enterprise aa a method of conducting our postal and telegraphic services, or of establishing our railway systems? Does oversea transit of our merchandise not come under tho eame head? Axe we to go back to where we were bofone- the war and throw ourselves into the arms of great shipping rings for exploitation' No doubt we were in many respects well served, but the interest of tho shipowner was alwavs in the forefront. You will remember how we found the Ring giving special privileges to shippers from Germany in order to prevent competition, and year by year the bill of lading contract was " being stiffened purely in. tho interest of the shipowner. Will the Government of the Dominion bo bold enough to venture upon the oversea carriage of our merchandise as they have already undertaken the land transit? I do not profess to say what they ought to do, but certainly it* would appear to mo to bo a more legitimate exercise of their functions than the opening of a few paltry coal mines to regulate the price of coal, and regarding which we can only write up the word "failure." 3. The Development of Hydro-electric Energy.—Tho Government have given considerable attention to this subject, and have in view the expenditure of large sums of money in that direction, but, as usual, it is to be spent in the North Island. Wo are told quite frankly that as far as the Government ire concerned there is no hope of anything being done in the South for many vears to come. It is evident, therefore, lhat if we are to develop in this direction at any early date it will have to be done independent of Government assistance, no matter how unfair wo may feel the situation to be. The Southland League have hcen moving to put us in a position to help ourselves, and they are promoting a Bill to allow of the establishment of boards controlling districts as may hereafter be arranged, such boards to have power to raise money secured on rates payable within their own district, and to establish such hydroelectric works as are necessary. Tho details of the Bill have been looked into, and your council have agreed generally to give it support. It is to be hoped that such a Bill may become law, and, if it does, then it is also to bo hoped that advantage may be taken of it in Otago in order to make use of the enormous amount of power available in the Hawea district. The whole question of the irrigation of the Clutha Valley might very easily bo solved if such power were available to raiso water from the magnificent river which flows through it. 4. The Amendment of the Law in Rega:d to Incidence of Taxation.—We know that no system of taxation can ever be quite perfect, but some effort should be made to securo its falling equitably upon the shoulders best able to bear _it. The method in existence of taxi* the income of companies, aa \ know, presses very heavily upon individual shareholders. Many of these shareholders have enly small holdings, and if taxed upon the whole of their income would onlv have to submit to a reasonable impost,- but paying as they do through their company, "thev are called upon to pay on a high—perhaps on the highest—scale, because this comply are treated as a single individual with a large income. I admit that when this question is looked into it is far from free of difficulty, but it should bo faced in order to do justice to shareholders whose total jncomo is only small. The various matters to which I have referred, together with many others more or less connected with our commercial life and prosperity, all call for early consideration. If we are to bear with any ease the burdens which are to be imposed upon them, the Dominion must face a bold torward policy, and it is devoutly to be hoped that Parliament, when it assembles, will rise to a sense of its responsibility and seriously take in hand the settlement of all domestio questions which aro becoming so pressing, —ln Conclusion,—

I -wish to tjjank all the members of tho council and of their committees for their courtesy to me and for tho diligence and care which they have at all timea given to such business as came before them. I desire also to make mention of our secretary, and to express a hope that vory soon his" health may be so completely restored that we shall have the pleasure- of seemg him back at his post. My thanks arc also in a special manner due to Mr Horcus, who has not in any degree spared himself, but has carried on the secretarial duties in a. most efficient manner. I now beg to move the adoption of the council's report and of the balance-sheet attached thereto.