CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Evening Star, Issue 18335, 24 July 1923, Page 1

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MEETING OP COUNCIL. Mr H. W. Jones (president of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce) presided at the monthly meeting of the council of the chamber, held last night. Fifteen members were present. RESIGNATION OF SECRETARY. The President said at the outset that lie had a most uncongenial duty to perform iu reading the following letter from Mr Peter Ball: “I have for some months thought that the time had arrived when 1 should retire from tile position of secretary to the chamber, which 1 have held for thirty-two years, having been appointed in July, 1891. 1 have now other duties, some of which involve frequent absence from Dunedin, and make it difficult for me to give the time and attention to the chamber’s business which it requires. I shall be glad, therefore, if you will lay my resignation before the council at its next meeting, and would suggest that it take effect from 31st inst. I propose to attend to ttie drafting of the report for the past year, and .shall be glad, if desired, to confer with my sue ccssor as to the arrangements for the annual meeting to bn held next month. 1 need only say now that I much appreciate the very pleasant relations which I have had with yourself as president and members of the council during the pastyear, as, indeed, with a long list of your predecessors.” The letter was considered in committee. It was decided to accept the resignation, since it was Mr Barr’s unalterable intention to resign, and to appoint as bis successor his partner, Mr Peter Kerens. It was also resolved to take the proper steps to suitably recognise Mr Barr’s services. GRADUATED LAND TAX. The Secretary read correspondence as to the suggestion of this chamber to the Minister of Finance that the graduated land tax, as applied to city properties occupied for business purposes, should be abolished. The Invercargill Chamber supported the proposal; the Canterbury Chamber supported it, with the insertion of the words ” City lands occupied as business premises,” instead of “ business properties in city areas”; and the Wellington Chamber, which at first was reported to bo against the suggestion, had since explained that it had no recommendation to make, pending the delivery of the Government’s proposals as to the reduction of taxation. TRADE WITH THE EAST. The Secretary of the Association of New Zealand Chambers of Commerce wrote to the effect that the president of that body, in conjunction with interested organisations in Auckland, had been considering a proposal to send a mission of business men, bearing the, imprimatur of the New Zealand Government, to Java with exhibits of New Zealand produce and manufacture for the promotion of reciprocal trade. It was suggested that the mission should consist of not more than throe business men appointed and financed by the industries represented, and it was proposed to ask the Government to annoi'it an officer of the Department of Industries and Commerce to precede or accompany the mission, the Government to bear its share of the expense incurred. It was resolved to confer with the Manufacturers’ Association as to calling a meeting of those interested. FOREIGN GOODS. Mr D. Phillips pointed out that of the foreign goods which came in 75 jber cent, of the manufacture was non-British. These were taken to Great Britain and finished there, and came out to the dominion as British goods, when only 25 per cent, of the work was British. He had seen the Controller of Customs and directed his attention’to the matter, and that officer 1 had stated that the question of the per- ; contage of British material and labor to constitute “ British goods ” and come ■ under the preferential duty would be con- j sidered at the first opportunity. i SHIPPING. The National Mortgage Company wrote j as to the Canadian Merchant Marine be- i ing prepared to put on a steamer to load at New Zealand ports for .Vancouver

direct, that at present they had no cargo for shinment to Vancouver.

-Messrs Waters, Ritchie, and Co. wrote similarly.

The Canterbury Chamber wrote in reference to a deputation to members of Parliament in regard to South island shipping, and especially to a flat rate.—The executive and the Imports Committee were instructed to watch the matter closely and take action as soon as deemed advisable. The Tauranga Chamber of Commerce wrote that the Union Steam Ship Company had established a service between South Island ports and Tauranga, culling en route at Wellington and Napier. Tbs service might be of advantage to Dunedin merchants if they would get into touch with the business firms of Tauranga,, To Puke, Whakatanc, and surrounding districts. GENERAL. Mr Roderick Mackenzie and Mr L. D. Dalton wrote resigning as members of tho chamber, Mr Dalton (Vacuum Oil Company) explaining that ho was about to leave Dunedin. Tho Secretary reported that ho had, as mstrueted, written to the General Manager of Railways asking if there was any possibility of reinstating the fifty-trip season tickets. Mr M'Vally's reply .was that tho issue of such tickets was abandoned because of the extent to which they were abused and tho revenue defrauded, and the request could not bo complied with., It was announced that the Hon. J. G. Coates and tho Jinn. W. D. Stewart had stated that every consideration would be given to the request that a Main Highways Board bo sot up for each island. The Gisborne Chamber asked for support to Mr Sidcy’s Daylight Saving Bill— In view of Mr Massey’s statement on tho subject, it was decided to merely receive the letter. A report was received as to a conference be I wmi Messrs J. B. Waters, F. „M. Shorlt. and D. Phillips (as representing the chamber) and the High Schools Board of Governors and tho Assistant Director of Education in regard to commercial tuition in secondary schools. —Report adopted. Tho Wanganui Chamber invited support to a proposal to give borough councils and other local bodies power to spend money on advertising their districts.—Resolved to disapprove of the proposal. Hughes and Cossar, of Auckland, forwarded a copy of a letter which had been scut to all members of Parliament, setting forth particulars in support of tho protest. against the proposed duty on glass bottles.- i -This was referred to the Imports Committee. ft was resolved to support the action of the Cantocbnry Progress League in protesting against the telephone charges bring'increased without the league’s criticisms being definitely answered. The date of the annual meeting was fixed for August 16, a special meeting to bo held on August 7.