AUCKLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7394, 21 February 1902, Page 2

AUCKLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

(PER PBES3 ASSOCIATION.) AuckiiAnd, February 19. At the annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, the retiring chairman (Mr Caldwell), in the course of his address, said we had not much cause for congratulation. We were certainly not progressing by leaps and bounds, but as the decrease in exports was principally caused by the fall in wool, which may prove temporary, the retrogression was not serious. There had been a considerable increase in imports, the principal reason being the effects of unionism and the labour laws, which, however right ethically, could not fail to restrict the manufacturing interests when plaoed in competition with other countries. Mr Caldwell then dealt with the great increase in the dairying industry and laod settlement, urging that the Government should cease acquiring estates from those who did not want to soil, and turn their attention to the North, where they possessed the largest estates, and would neither sell nor lease. He also advocated reciprocity or a preferential tariff in favour of Britain. As to insurance rates, he said the Underwriters' Association should take heed of the widespread dissatisfaction caused by the excessive rates. Referring to legislation, he urged unionists to cry " content " for a bit, or disaster to themselves and others might result. Mr J. H. Upton was elected president for the ensuing year.