SHIPPERS AND IMPORTERS

Evening Star, Issue 23124, 25 November 1938, Page 1

SHIPPERS AND IMPORTERS

OTAGO ASSOCIATION NINETEENTH ANNUAL MEETING The nineteenth annual meeting of the Otago Shippers and Importers’ Association was held last night in .the Tudor Lounge, the president (Mr H. 1.. Smith) being in the chair. A welcome was extended by the president to the mayor (Mr A. H. Allen), the chief postmaster (Mr N. R. M'lsaac), and Mr H. M. Mackay (representing the Otago Expansion League). PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. In moving the adoption of the annual report, the President referred briefly to the position of the association in relation to the Manufacturers' Association. He would like to make it clear that there was no antagonism ih this part of the Dominion between the two bodies. Included in the membership was a good proportion of manufacturers, while on the executive were two members whose firms- were amongst the largest manufacturers in the Dominion. Moreover, some members—who were importers—were at the same thne among the best customers of the manufacturers, and their organisation was at the disposal of the manufacturers in the distribution of the goods. The association recognised the difficulties under which manufacturers were labouring in the matter of rising costs, but they were not alone in this respect, as all businesses were finding it difficult to recoup themselves for these extra charges. . The association understood that the (jlovcrmncut had the matter in hand; but if an attempt was made to overcome the difficulty by raising tariffs, especially against New Zealand’s best customer, Great Britain, the repercussions might be very serious, When the tariff on footwear was increased it was known that it was strongly resented by a section of the workers of England, and the latest reports to hand indicated that the agitation against New Zealand produce had not yet abated. That was only one line, and should there be a revision of the whole tariff strong opposition might well be expected from British manufacturers, with results which might be decidedly detrimental to New Zealand's export trade. It had been suggested that the drop in London funds had been due to excessive imports, but in this connection he quoted the following passage from an article in the ‘ Mercantile Gazette ’ I of November 16;—“In 10 weeks there has been a shrinkage of £6,793,414, and of this amount £3,741,750 was withdrawn in five weeks to October 31. It cannot be said by any stretch of imagination that this money has been withdrawn to pay for imports; as a matter of fact imports have been falling rapidly, and the position for the throe months of the production year, 1938-39 (that is for the months of July, August, and September of this year), compared with the same months of last year shows as: For the threo months to September 30, 1937, £16,254,000; over the same period in 1933, £14.495.000. In the three months imports declined by £1.759,000. and therefore less exchange was required to pay for then). The run on exchange is due to a flight of capital, and everyone ■knows that, except, we believe, the politicians, who seem to regard it ns a favourable economic movement.” Imports during 1936 and 1937 were high owing to the increased spending power, but the association was assured by some of the manufacturers’ representatives that the position would right itself. This year they had fallen o(F considerably, and would show even a greater decrease had it not been for the Government's importation of machinery, which for the eight months to August showed an increase of over £200,009, i

compared with- the same period last year, while railway and train plant also showed an increase of nearly £400,000, while grain (mainly wheat) increased by over £380,000. Genera! goods on the other hand in practically nil cases showed a decrease, so that to say that the drop in London funds was due to over-importation was certainly not stating the position correctly.

AUCKLAND-DUNEDIN SERVICE. Referring to local matters, Mr Smith said that the association had had many complaints during the year regarding the Auckland to Dunedin coastal service. While the association recognised the difficulties of the shipping companies in respect to weather and labour troubles, it was felt that there should be a more regular service. There was a much better service 40 years ago, and an effort should be made to have more up-to-date vessels on the run. The question of cartons was also mentioned in the report. At present the shipping companies endorse bills of lading for such packages as “ insufficiently protected,” with the result that the cartons were badly handled and often pillaged, but the consignees had no redress. The association had taken the matter up with the federation and hoped to have matters put on a more satisfactory tooting. So far as West of England vessels were concerned, the position was still unsatisfactory, some of them taking nearly as long to come from Auckland to Dunedin as from Liverpool to Auckland. As members would note from the report, this matter was discussed by the secretary with the shipping companies at Home, but so far no improvement had been shown. Regarding membership, Mr Smith again appealed to all firms to consider joining the association. In view of the present conditions and their possibilities of danger unless handled in a wise and statesmanlike way, it behoved all associations such as the Importers and Shippers’ to see to it that its strength was not only maintained, but increased, so that it might be in a position to state its point of view fairly, but strongly, should the need arise. Mr J. C. H. Somerville seconded the report. He expressed his pleasure at finding that the association was trying to work harmoniously with manufacturers and other Dunedin bodies, lie was pleased to seo_ that the president ! was watching the interests of all sections of the community, particularly those of his own association. It was gratifying to note that-over the past two years the association had been making satisfactory financial progress. The report was adopted. “ DOING A GREAT SERVICE.” The Mayor, at one time a member of the executive, and also president, congratulated the association on its useful work to the importing section of the community. Me recalled the initial year of the body—l9l6 to 1917. It must now be of ago, he said, and it bad done great service from that time to the present. He hoped it would do oven more in future. The value of its work was fully realised; its greatest difficulties in the early clays had been similar to those of to-day-r-delays to west coast of England boats; insurance claims and settlements; and heavy pillaging. Shipping and insurance companies bad always been fair with the association. Importers should always be banded together, he said, not only to get claims settled, but to get them settled satisfactorily. The existence of the association had facilitated such settlements; it had done much collectively, if liot always individually, for its members. In conclusion, he paid still further tribute to the work of the association, which was getting valuable information for, and rendering great service to, the citizens of Dunedin. He wished the association many further years of successful service. Mr H. M. Mackay outlined briefly conditions at present existent in Australia. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of office-bearers for the year resulted:—President, Mr H. L. Smith; vice-president, Mr J; E, Macassey ; executive—Messrs S. F, Aburn and J. C. H. Somerville (re-elected). MR E. WOOD’S ADDRESS. At the conclusion of the business of the meeting, the secretary (Mr E. Wood), who recently returned from a trip abroad, gave some of his impressions of the Homeland and Canada, fie said that, the journey across Canada, and the 600 miles of the Rocky Mountains, included some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. He then gave an interesting resume of some aspects of London life, and the changes that had manifested 'themselves since the Great War. Advancement of the working class; housing of the slum population ; and Die attitude towards war were some of the references made.