CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Evening Star, Issue 18252, 17 April 1923, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The usual meeting of the council of the Chamber of Commerce was held lasti j night, Mr F. M. Shortt presiding. I A letter was received from the eec--1 retary of tho Associated Chambers setting out tho views of tho Customs Department regarding the declaration required from importers of ad valorem goods. The department averred that in practice difficulties did not arise, and that the only case in which action was likely to be taken was in tho event of a flagrant breach. It was decided to inform the executive of the association that tho explanation was unsatisfactory, and to i request the other principal chambers to J go into tho matter. i Letters were received from the associ- ! ated banks declining to contribute to tho Otago A. and P. Society fund, and from the Shaw-Savill and Albion, New Zealand, and (J. and D. Lines each agreeing to contribute £SO. A letter was received from the Postal Department explaining that tho imposition of the fee of od on the clearance of postal parcels through the Customs was to recoup tho department for tho work involved in examining and handling tho parcels.—Tho matter was referred to tho ; Imports Committee. I A complaint from Chas. Begg and Co. j regarding the diverting of the Koromiko, 1 while en route from Wellington, was referred to the Importers’ Association, j A letter from Irvine and Stevenson regarding a railway sorting charge of Is 6d per ton was received, inquiries having shown that it was an old charge and that it war, imposed only when the department ; handled goods. j A letter was received from the district I traffic manager (Hallway Department) givi ing reasons why tho adoption of a list : of "’standard weights in Otago was deemed | inadvisable. The secretary (Mr Peter Barr) reported that the matter had been discussed with Mr Grant (tho Bail way Department’s commercial representative), , and that he had suggested that the list : might bo accepted with certain minor ali (orations.—lt was agreed to accept the ' list.