CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Evening Star, Issue 23553, 17 April 1940, Page 12

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE A meeting of the Executive Council of the Chamber of Commerce was held last evening, Mr C. L. Calvert presiding. A resolution of regret in the death of the late Prime Minister (Mr Savage) was passed by the council. The chairman said the sympathy of the Chamber hud been forwarded to the Hon. P. Fraser. The meeting also expressed its sympathy in the deaths of Mr P. M'Kinlay and Mr J. M. Fraser, two members of the chamber. TRANSPORT COMMMITEE. Mr G. W. Lane, for the Transport and Tourist Committee, reported on the proposal to have the work on the Milton - Cromwell - Pembroke road speeded up. A letter had been received from the Hon. R. Semple, _he said, pointing out certain difficulties, but stating that the question would be considered. Mr R. O. Burgess suggested the chamber cbould tread warily where any suggestion of expenditure was concerned because of the war effort. It had been stated by the Hon. W. Nash that the war was costing New Zealand 13 millions internally and 20 millions overseas. If the war continued the country could not afford to borrow 20 million annually. If it did, and the war lasted for some years, this country would be ill a hopeless position economically. He reiterated it was therefore necessary to watch all expenditure which would interfere with the greater effort. EXECUTIVE REPORT. Tho executive reported as follows: Import licenses.—The executive of the Associated Chambers is strenuous in its efforts to improve the present position, and at its meeting held on April 5, the whole situation regarding the unsatisfactory administration of import control was the subject of a lengthy discussion and exchange of views. Regarding the delay in the issue of licenses, consequent upon representations to the Customs Department and the Industries Committee of the Department of Industries and Commerce, it is understood that the whole of the machinery relative to the issue of import licenses for goods on all schedules is to bo speeded up in future. Review of plant depreciation allowances.—Since the last meeting, the Commissioner of Taxes has outlined some of his proposals on this matter. As these are of importance to all members, the executive has decided, that this matter be considered at the genera) meeting of members. Enemy traders.—The New Zealand ‘ Gazette ’ of March 20, contains a list of the names and addresses of nearly 600 persons, firms and companies which have, been declared enemy traders for the purposes of the Enemy Trading Emergency Regulations, 1939. This * Gazette ’ may be seen at the office of the chamber. . . Anzac Day commemoration service.— The executive has decided that instead of sending tho usual wreath to be placed on the cenotaph, a cheque be sent to the Returned Soldiers’ Association for disbursement as it sees fit. ■ Economic planning.—At a meeting in Wellington on April 6, it was suggested that the_ Associated Chambers should confer with other organisations to study certain problems in relation to the country’s war effort. The economics committee of the Canterbury chamber has been asked to prepare a report for the next meeting of the Associated Chambers executive. Hospital rates.—The remit which was proposed by this chamber was carried at the last conference in the following form :—“ That this conference, having regard' to tho possibility of increases in hospital rates being brought about by the operation of the Social Security Act, urges that all extra charges in this connection be debitc 1 to tho Social Security Fund.” Tho Associated Chambers are obtaining further evidence before taking action. Code telegrams.—As from April 9, the use of tho following codes additional to the list authorised in January is now permitted: Acme Commodity and phrase code; New Standard threeletter code; New Standard half-word code. The same conditions of acceptance as for codes already authorised apply/ except that the Acme Code may be used in telegrams exchanged with France and French colonies. Royal commission on sheep industry. —The commission set up by the Government curtailed its sittings on account of the war, and was making a general report based upon evidence taken to date. As this was based mainly on the North Island evidence, it was pointed out by this chamber that the report would not do justice to the problems of the South Island sheep country, where rabbits, snow, and the provision of winter feed are important factors governing carrying capacity and maintenance. It was therefore requested that departmental officers should complete a collection of evidence from the South Island. The matter has since been taken up by the Associated Chambers with the Minister of Agriculture, and certain aspects of his reply are the subject of consultation with the New Zealand Sbeepowners Federation. The report was adopted.

GENERAL MEETING

The executive decided to call a general meeting of members of the chamber for April 22, to hear a general statement on the . question of trading stock and plant depreciation in their relation to income tax.