ASSOCIATED CHAMBERS

Evening Star, Issue 22798, 5 November 1937, Page 2

ASSOCIATED CHAMBERS

IMPORTANT REMITS DISCUSSED GOVERNMENT POLICY CRITICISED [Per United Press Association.] TIMARU, November 4. The annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce was continued to-day, when important remits were discussed, including subjects which involved criticism of the Government’s policy. The following Wellington remits were carried: — “ (a) That all public holidays should be (1) national (2) defined by statute only and not by awards, and (3) observed on Mondays whenever possible, thus serving the best interests of the employer and employee alike; and (b) that the Banking Act should be immediately amended so as to remove saints’ days from the compulsory holidaysprovided by that Act.” “ Tnat broadcasting over the air should be impartial and free of political control, subject only to the ordinary Press limitations and responsibilities and to the equal rights of others; that radio matters generally should be controlled by a board consisting of the director and manager of broadcasting, with the addition of a member representing the receiving license-holders. ’ ’ INROADS ON LIBERTY, Mr A. Hislop (Wellington) moved the following remit; —‘ ‘ That as a true function of a Government is to govern, this conference considers that there should be less public intervention in and control of industry, trade, and commerce. It is recognised that legislation may be required for curbing private activities that would bo harmful or contrary to the general interests of the community, but interference beyond that point is destructive to initiative, enterprise, and self-reliance. Mr Hislop said that many vital inroads had been made in the past in the inherent prerogatives of the great taxpaying commercial community, a,nd there was the attendant usurpation under Socialistic doctrines of business privileges and functions. A big section of the trading public must continue to view a continuation of these principles with serious thought and alarm. There was almost no department of social life I into which Government direction was not entering, and by rigid and unbending influence bringing about a state of upset and disintegration. Me hoped that the remit would bo accepted as well-meant, healthy, and constructive criticism. . The President said that the view ot the executive was that Governments should negotiate with Governments and individuals with individuals, but it was not suggested that a Government should enter into contracts for the purchase or sale of goods. Mr P. M'Lean (Greymouth) said that they should not be harassed by Government regulations, which were killing initiative. . The remit was earned unanimously. “ SINGLE OWNERSHIP” CONDEMNED. In moving a remit —“That theiconferenoe views with concern the Government’s announced policy ot the single ownership of the transport industry of New; Zealand Mr 3! . Freeman (Canterbury) said he hoped that the Government would abandon its present policy or view the _ position with an open mind. He said it was quite easy to run a public business it the public purse were available at all times and the Budget manipulated m their favour. When the present Minister took office all thought that a fairy wand would be waved over the industry, but the promises made had not been fulfilled. The ultimate effect of the policy would be that no owner in any industry would be permitted to use his own vehicles for the carriage of his own goods if he came into competition with the railways. The monopoly of the railways would result in exploitation, which usually lead to inefficiency. . . Mr A. W. Welsted', representing the Railways Department, said he had no knowledge of any policy on the part of the Government for the single ownership of the transport industry. Replying to criticism of the transport system, Mr Welsted said the objective of the Railways Department was to equalise the rates as far as possible and eliminate the cut-throat competition which had prevailed for the last 10 years. He contended that the department had greatly improved the services which had been taken over. The remit was amended _ to read—- “ This conference views with concern the Government’s increasing acquirement of private land transport undertakings in New Zealand,” and this was carried, YOUTH EMPLOYMENT. The serious problem of youth unemployment was referred to in a remit from Auckland, and urged a modification of the rigid statutory provisions affecting youths of 18 years and upwards. Mr R, Nimmo (Wellington) said the problem was one of the most pathetic facing the Dominion, but ho was happy to say that their appeal to the Government for flexibility in the regulations had been granted and it was now possible to secure under-rate workers’ permits. He thought the Government deserved credit for meeting the position _in the way it had. The remit was withdrawn. LAND VALUATION. A emit—“ That representations be made to the Government urging consideration of the difficulty of defining the unimproved value of laud and the possibility of confining the valuation of land to the capital value and the annual value ” —was moved by Mr J. Richards (Stratford), who submitted that the market value could not be divided into component parts, as it consisted essentially of- the whole. Taxation, both local and general, was levied on the estimates of the values. Sine© the estimate of the unimproved value depended mainly on the estimate of the value of improvements, and seeing that the latter could not always be identified, it followed that an injustice must occur. Large areas of highly lucrative wealth in the form of improvements wore exempt from taxation, and the speaker asked if this was fair. The remit was lost. THE SALES TAX. A remit urging the abolition of the sales tax was lost. Mr Nimmo (Wellington), opposing the remit, said the tax yielded £2,500,000, which would otherwise have com© from direct taxation from business people, and they could not pay it.