IMPORTERS AND SHIPPERS

Evening Star, Issue 21232, 13 October 1932, Page 13

IMPORTERS AND SHIPPERS

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION The monthly meeting of the executive of the Otago Importers ami Shippers’ Association was held on Tuesday evening, Mr H. C. Campbell presidingThe Chairman extended a cordial welcome to Alr L. Walls, vice-president of the newly-formed Importers’ Association in Wellington, who then addressed tho meeting relative to the suggested formation of a dominion importers’ federation. The speaker briefly explained the various objects of the proposed federation, emphasising the laet that in order to protect the interests of importers generally, and particularly in the matter of parliamentary legislation, including Customs tar ill's, etc., it was essential that they should speak with a united voice. The address was listened to with much interest, and the speaker was cordially thanked by the chairman on behalf of the meeting. Tho Chairman gave details of his recent visit to Wellington as a delegate from the local association to the preliminary meeting hold to consider the formation of a dominion federation of importers, and a full discussion on the c|nestion followed. It was felt, however, that tho decision whether the Otago Association should affiliate was one that could only bo decided by the members as a whole, and it was therefore decided to call a special general meeting of the association to be held next Wednesday evening. Th Secretary reported that, as instructed, he had, in conjunction with tho Manufacturers’ Association and the Chamber of Commerce, again written to the Postmaster-General regarding tho suggested reduction in telephone charges, and a reply was now awaited. Correspondence with tho Prime Minister was also read first regarding shipping facilities to and from New Zealand and the Cook Islands, and also as to the running of tho Maui Pomare.

The next item brought forward was the question of the promised removal of the surtax tariff on British goods in accordance with the Ottawa agreement. It was reported that the uncertainty whether, when such was sanctioned by Parliament, it would be made retrospective to the time it was first definitely announced, or would only apply after such parliamentary sanction, had caused no little inconvenience to importers, who found that purchasers of imported goods wore inclined to defer buying until such time as the question was finally settled. The Chairman advised that strong representations had been put forward to the Prime Minister as Minister of Customs for a ruling on tho point, but that he had replied that no information could be given pending parliamentary discussion on the subject. Tho Chairman further reported that arrangements had boon made with the Harbour Board for goods ex vessels recently arrived to remain in wharf sheds pending a settlement of the question by the Legislature, thereby obviating tho extra expense that would have arisen in tho ordinary way by the goods being removed to the Harbour Board store.

The Secretary next reported that he had written to the Huddart, Parker Company in Australia suggesting that, ,if it wore not possible, in view of the recent extension of tho steamer service between Mel bourne, Sydney, and North Island ports, that the company should arrange to send at least an occasional passenger steamer from Melbourne to South Island ports, via Bluff.—A reply was now awaited with interest. The Secretary also submitted a statement showing the various overseas steamers that since the beginning of the year had discharged their cargoes at Port Chalmers and Dunedin respectively.

Correspondence from the Harbour Board relative to the question of voting at Harbour Board elections was considered, and it was decided to advise tho board that the association appreciated and fully concurred in the proposed alterations dealing with this matter.