CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Evening Star, Issue 22343, 20 May 1936, Page 13

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MEETING OF COUNCIL The monthly meeting of the council of the Chamber of Commerce was held last night, when the following were present Messrs M. S. Myers (president), A. C. Cameron, A. W. deacons, A. H. Allen. C. B. Barrowclougli, M. Stewart, H. P. Larson, P. N. Bundle, -I. Elvidge, R. Armit, W. J. MTnnos, H. L. Gibson, L. Deans Ritchie, H. L. Leghorn. J. S. Skinner, Newman E. Wilson, W. H Naylor, E, J. Taylor, W. B. Cunningham, 1. S. Cantrell, EXECUTIVE'S REPOET. The report of the executive slated that the president represented the chamber at the education board’s function which was held to mark the reopening of the Dunedin Training College. The chamber regarded the reopening of the college with keen satisfaction. A letter had been received from Captain Lundgren, president of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Sea Islands, expressing appreciation ol the courtesies extended to Mr G. M. Lindergron by the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce during his recent visit. A meeting of representatives of those bodies contributing to the scheme Vr advertising scenic resorts of Otago a."d Southland was held on April 29. Mr G. G. Stewart, railway publicity manager, was present, and the scheme was discussed in detail, and the proposals submitted by Mr Stewart were unanimously approved. A booklet was being prepared. It was regretted that Mr W. Hinchey, the Southland representative, had since died. Messrs Myers and Stewart were appointed to represent Otago. The report was adopted. I PURCHASING THROUGH HIGH COMMISSIONER. A copy of a letter received by 1 lie Associated Chambers of Commerce from

the Minister of Public Works (Hon. R. Semple) was received. This stated hat the general practice of Government Departments was to purchase through New Zealand merchants goods _ Inoii were regularly stocked in the Dominion for general trade purposes, while oovls of a special nature, such as locomotive and technical equipment used solely by the Government, were purchased through the High Commissioner du-,-ct from the manufacturers. It was not considered advisable to purchase the whole of the Government’s requirements through traders established in New Zealand for the reason that if his procedure were adopted competition for some lines would be limited, and further, it was considered inadvisable to encourage the appointment of representatives or agents in the Dominion for items which were used r only by Government departments. The Minister also asked for any specific cases ol items which wore at present being obtained through the High Commissioner . and which the chambers considered should bo purchased through merchants in New Zealand. The matter would then be investigated. It was decided that to prevent such cases as had arisen in the past that the Minister be asked to issue instructions to the stores branch to carry out the policy outlined in his letter. tr; he with the united states. On the subject of trade with the United States of America, the Secretary of the Associated Chambers of Commerce wrote enclosing a copy of a ■otter sent to flic Minister of Industries and Commerce. This stated that the executive had had under consideration the matter of New Zealand’s position in regard to trade with the United States of America, and from a bulletin n( Hi« Chamber of Commerce of the United States, which set forth the policy u, iini united States Government in regal'd to the generalising of concessions made under reciprocal trade agreements it appeared—(l) that New Zealand. although it at present enjoyed America’s lowest rates, may bo removed from that favoured class on any ground; (2) that the concessions, which were available to New Zealand under trade agreements now existent between the

United States and countries other than Nw Zealand, in all probability did not appiv to those specific commodities which New Zealand exports and of which it was in the interests of New Zealand that it should receive concessions. The executive liad decided to urge the Government to negotiate a trade agreement with the United States. The executive was not aware to what extent the Government had already moved .in this matter, but it trusted that the Government would, in any case, pay earlv attention to the subject, winch was a very vital concern to the Dominion. . Correspondence dealing with the same matter was also received from the Auckland Chamber, the President of the United States, and the Minister of Finance (Hon. W. Nash), the latter stating that the Government had given a great deal of thought to the trade policy of the Dominion. After an agreetiieut had been reached with the United Kingdom it was hoped that an agreement would be made with the United States. In the meantime the necessary material to determine the basis for the agreement was being collected, and i£ the association had any particular points that it desired to bring before the Government he would be glad to have them. The matter was referred back to the executive for consideration. APPEAL FROM TRANSPORT DECISIONS. The Secretary' of the Associated Chambers of Commerce wrote, enclosing a copy of the Transport Licensing Amendment Bill, and stating that it was probable that the executive would make representations to the Government on the failure of the Bill to provide any right of appeal from decisions of the Minister of Transport. The matter aws referred to the executive for consideration. AIR MAIL. A report on the air mail was submitted by Mr Stewart. This stated that since the last meeting of the council members of the executive had discussed with the managing director and the local manager of Union Airways the time-table between Dunedin and Palmerston North, and had ascertained

that the alteration of the time-table was due to the necessity of taking advantage of the daylight during the shorter days, particularly to suit the subsidiary service which connected with the north-bound plane. Tlie license held bv the Union Airways was only tentative, therefore the time-table was subject to alteration later. Members were convinced that although the Munster indicated that owing to lack of support the service was likely to be discori-* tinned, as the public got more , airmiiided ” greater support- would be given to the service, which had undoubtedly come to stay. There was room for greater use being made of the air mail, and the chamber commended its use to all sections of the community. The new time-table was found to be more convenient for passenger traffic, as the figures since the change took place on April 29 showed that more passengers had been carried, both inwards and outwards.( The report was adopted.