COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1408, 3 June 1865, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

LyHelton Times Office, June 2,

Below vill be found a report of proceedings I at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce. Towards the close of the meeting Mr. Turner made a sweeping charge of inaccuracy against the monthly pricelists published in the Lyitelton Times. To support iiis assertions, Mr. Turner adduced the price of only two articles out of nearly two hundred. In one instance he was decidedly wrong, as he will find out if he refers to the price of oats, as given in the summary papers of March, April, and May. This grain is there quoted at 3s to 3s 3d, and we have every reason to know that the orders referred to by Mr. Turner might have been executed at the latter price, in any quantity, and at any time, since the last harvest. But we do not pretend to perfect accuracy. We are no more infallible than Mr, Turner, and 6hall always be happy to submit to correction from those who are qualified for the office ; but while disclaiming any titJe to infallibility, we are not disposed to have our price-list held up to condemnation by any Bingle merchant, simply because it does not satisfy him. It is now several years since we first attempted to publish such a list, and we are

bound to say that we achieved it under considerable

difficulties. In the early days of the settlement prices - were purely optional with the seller, and for obvious reasons our reporter met with great discouragement in his attempt to obtain information. Latterly there

has been something more like a market, and prices

are settling down gradually within recognizable limits. But we never expect to satisfy everyone interested in a price current; and to those not acquainted with mercantile affairs we will endeavour to explain

why. Colonial mercantile houses, as a rule, consist of two- classes—those who import on their own account, and those who deal only in goods consigned to them for sale by home and foreign houses. The latter are the most difficult to satisfy in the matter of prices. Those commencing business, and desiring to obtain consignments, are naturally best pleased with high-priced lists, as being most likely io forward their wishes. Those already established, and who may have had to force the sale of their clients' goods below current rates, are as naturally displeased with anything but a low-priced list; arid where this is not published, rery likely write home, telling their clients that the published lists are " erroneous from beginning to end." On the other hand, the merchant who imports onjliis own account desires a price-list giving a reasonable profit on the cost of imported goods ; he gaiDS no accession of business by very high prices, and, of course, suffers great inconvenience where he has to submit to prices lower than what he can afford to sell at. We think it is now made clear why we cannot expect to please everybody; and not expecting, we are free to confess that we do not attempt it. But what we do try to effect i 3 this— honestly and independently to give what we believe to be the nearest approximation to the price here fixed by the bona fide importer. This, of course, will always be fixed by him, subject to the fluctuations of price caused by over-supply or scarcity. Mr. Turner thinks that, if we must publish a list, it would be well for the Chamber of Commerce to revise it. As we said before, we shall be happy to receive assistance and advice from all persons qualified to give it; but weare not in the habit of submitting our work to the revision of the public, and we are not prepared to break through thi* rule, even in favour of so august a body as the Chamber of Commerce.

The monthly committee meeting of the Chamber was held on Thursday .last, at 2 p.m., at their room in Iligb street. The following members were present s-Mesm. Turner, Day, Peacock, Kiclmrdson, Matso.i, Stewart and J. U. jUaqjlierson. In the absence of Mr. Symington, Mr. Turner oc CU The minutelTof the previous meeting were read U>o resolutions standing in his name : they were as follows : — That in tlie opinion of this committee, the present system of wharfage in Ly'.U'llon is senouily dulccu.c, inasmuch

„„„ reeeipt i» given to •'««"" Wvortoggood. sssffisrs. IP 1U <. «•*-»* "»'■ •» lig Thattho Secretary bo instructed to communicate tho above resolution to tho Government, and forcibly to urgo upon them tho absolute necessity, in any future lease, to introduce a clauso, making it compulsory on the part ot tho lessees to give receipts on tho wharf, m order that every package so landed may do identified and traced. He was confirmed in the opinion expressed by him at a late meeting, that the wharfinger ought to discharge tho duty of giving receipts for all goods landed on the wharves. Mr. Macpiierson seconded the resolutions. Mr. Turner explained that tho rent paid by his firm for the use of the wharves amounted to £600 per annum. Should the resolutions be carried, a large increase in the wharfage dues must be made ; otherwise the wharves would not pay the expenses. His firm had applied to the Government to put gates on the wharves, in order that a correct system of tally might be carried out. The necessary alterations could not be effected if the resolutions should be adopted. After some observations from Mr. Day, the resolutions were carried. . The Secretary was instructed to call a special meeting of the Chamber, for the consideration of the report of the sub-committee on the tariff, for Thursday next, the Bth instant. Several accounts were passed, and ordered to be Turner desired, before the meeting separated, to draw the attention of the members to the pricelist published in the Lyttelton Times. It was often very incorrect, and was calculated to inflict a great injury on commerce. In some instances the price of goods was quoted at 25 per cent, above their actual value, and he was frequently asked if the prices mentioned in the lists could be obtained for them. The merchants in England, who compared account sales from this province, might imagine that an injustice had been done to them by the misquotations in question. He should suggest that the Chamber might endeavour to make some arrangements for testing the correctness of these lists prior to their publication. This plan would obviate the evil he complained of. He trusted that the attention which had been excited on the subject would induce the publishers of that journal to exercise greater care in issuing their next list. The meeting then adjourned.