CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 6 March 1926, Page 9

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MEETING OP EXECUTIVE

BUSINESS MATTERS DISCUSSED

Tne monthly meeting of the executive of the Hawera Chamber of Commerce was held last evening, when mere were present- 1 Messrs J. B. Murilocii (chairman), H. G. Dickie, M.P., ,j. bull, b. McCarthy, E. W. Horner, R. A. Douglas, A. Sellar, J. M. Westaway, E. C. Fletcher, and R. Sage (secretary). BAR,CEL CLEARANCE FEES.

taut tne recent imposition of a clea, ance ree or tmeepence on foreign jjuiceio coming inrough the Postal department uiti not meet the approval Jr uie w angaiiui chamber was evident tor a letter requesting support of its resolution asking the Government to suspend the charge. The letter stated that the chamber considered the regulation oppressive and that the charge did not constitute Customs duty, and should only be levied on parcels and packages where actual duty was payable. Mr Sellar remarked that traders were resenting small petty charges which were being imposed by the Government in both the Post Office and the Railway Department. Mr Bud explained that m the Post Office the charge was called a, delivery fee; but Mr Dickie said that it seemed strange that importers should have to pay the fee of threepence in addition to the Oustorhs duty. Mr Bull was asked to inquire into the matter and report at the next meeting. DAYLIGHT SAVING. The New Zealand Sports Protection League wrote asking the support of the chamber towards the introduction of “daylight saving” or “summer time” into New Zealand. The letter stressed the value to children if school hours were advanced an hour. The chairman remarked that it was an old question which had been thrashed out many times before. He thought that the farmers would be the chief opponents to the scheme, but at present they worked during practically all the hours of daylight. It was decided to approve the general principle of daylight saving. WHEAT AND TIMBER DUTIES. The New Plymouth Chamber sought support to its resolution asking for the abolition of the duty on wheat. Information as prepared by the Farmers’ Union was included, giving particulars of the wheat market. After discussing the matter at length., the meeting decided that, as the position did not warrant a free market, the letter be merely received. The Dominion Federated Sawmillers Association forwarded information regarding the timber industry, with an implied request that the chamber should support the imposition of a duty on imported timber. , Members expressed the opinion that it would be better to import timber while it could be done cheaply in order that the New Zealand reserves might hie conserved. The letter was received.