CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 7563, 30 May 1885, Page 5

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The quarterly meeting of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon; present—The Hon J. T. Peacock, vice-President (in the chair), and Messrs W. E. Mitchell, W. Chryatall, P. Trent, J. T. Matson, T. Bruce, F. Waymouth, T. Aiken,. C. E. Briggs, M, Gard’ner, P. Banks, P. Jameson, S. Manning, T. S. Weston, W. Langdown, W. D. Meares, A. Kaye, J. J. Pletcher, L. C. Williams, George King, P. Wright, J. D. Macpherson, H. P. M array-Aynsley, A. C. Wilson, W. H. Hargreaves, H. D. Carter, Ehind, and I. Gibbs. chairman’s address. The Chairman made the following address : Gentlemen, —Since our last quarterly meeting our President, who has obtained leave of absence from the Committee, has taken his departure for England, consequently it devolves -upon me to preside upon this occasion. I should have been extremely gratified upon this my first time of addressing the Chamber, to have congratulated you upon a satisfactory impetus to trade, if such had really taken place, and which was shadowed forth by our Chairman in his last address. But I have no doubt circumstances over which we have no control have considerably retarded the approach of those cheerful days which he inferred were dawning at that time; 1 refer to the dispute between Eussia' and England, which has now been averted, let us hope, honourably and permanently. The first matter of importance which engaged your Committee’s attention was the question of re-classification of wharfage rates, and the discontinuance of outward wharfage on merchandise which has already paid inwards. A deputation waited upon the Harbour Board, the result of which is that the Board, who took a liberal view of the question, have met our requirements, and, so far as they were concerned, have removed one of the obscacles to the increase of our coastal trade. Whilst upon this subject of providing facilities for a coastal trade, perhaps I may be permitted to say that we have frequently hod the matter before us. One other remedy suggested was the establishment of a free and bonded store at the port, to obviate the necessity of paying railway charges backwards and forwards, and saving other charges upon goods which might be sold and removed coastwise; indeed, at one time we thought of calling a meeting of the Chamber to •discuss the question, but, as the Committee were not unanimous, the matter dropped. I merely mention this now so that the Chamber can, if it chooses, renew the subject. Another deputation waited upon Sir Julius Vogel whilst he was here, upon the following important matters :—Eailway Boards, haulage rates, receiving charges, and passenger rates between Lyttelton and Christchurch, with the result that Sir J ulius Vogel telegraphed to the Minister of Public Works, who informed him that Government did not see its way to make any reduction at present on rates between the points named. On the question of labour handling coals at Port, he promised to confer with the Minister of Public Works on his return to Wellington, to ascertain if merchants here could not have the same privileges as at other ports in providing their own labour. No reply has yet been received, although I have written for one. I see, however, that the Government have replied to the Harbour Board' on same subject, but the terms are unsatisfactory. With respect to Eailway Boards, he stated that it was contemplated to bring in a Bill to provide for a Board for each Island. This the Chamber will no doubt consider more satisfactory than having one Central Board at Wellington. A letter has been received from Sir Julius Vogel, re the South Sea Island Steam Service, which was published, and, I presume, read by you all. Members will be aware that for many years past there has been an extremely valuable and growing trade between Auckland and the South Sea Islands, but we in the South have not benefited directly. I trust, however, that the facilities now afforded will be a means of increasing a trade which will bo a mutual benefit to the whole of Now Zealand and the South Sea Islands. Another matter of importance which has engaged your Committee’s attention, has been the question of getting a more just and equitable form of bill of ladmg for cargo by direct steamers and other vessels. Finding that the matter has now been taken up in England, we passed the following resolution; “That this Chamber notices*!!;ith satisfaction, that the question of||Pls of lading is having the attention of We loading bankers, merchants and brokers® in London, as well as the London Chambec{ of Commerce; that special legislation on the subject has been commenced in America, ami trusts that, if possible, an' international term may be adopted, or, at. any rate, one that will bo satisfactory to British shipowners and shippers, and that will clearly define the risks and liabilities of each party,” and have written a letter to the Chairman of the Loudon Chamber of Commerce expressing a hope that the matter will not be allowed to drop until a form has been agreed upon which will be a fairer contract between shipowners and shippers. We

have also invited the co-operation of all the Australian Chambers. Members will no. doubt be aware that strong efforts are being made by the Government to have the Colony thoroughly well represented at the coming Exhibition to be held in England, and that' our energetic friend. Dr von Haast, has been appointed Commissioner for - the Colony. I think it would be advisable for the Chamber to appoint a small sub-Com-mittee to co-operate with that gentleman and assist in the collection of our commercial products. You are aware that an agitation has been going on for some time in Australia to cheapen telegraphic communication with New Zealand. So far the Government of the Colony has not seen its way to favourably consider the proposition. The matter is very important, and I think we might very well communicate with the Government in order to induce them to co-operate, as no doubt it will be a boon to commercial and also to private individuals. Notwithstanding the large and continuous export of frozen meat, the supply of fat sheep continues large, but unfortunately, the price here remains very low. It is satisfactory however, to observe that the demand at Home increases, and the prices, if not high, are steadier. The general trade of the district remains quiet, but fairly sound —caution continues to be displayed by all classes of traders. I could not very well conclude this address without referring to the recent successful importation of salmon ova. As a factor in the food supply of the people the salmon will some day form an important element, and should also become a largo export. Holding those views I, think the Chamber might very well c6nsider the advisability of urging upon the Government the propriety of taking immediate steps to continue the importation of ova. The recent importation cost some .£7OO, and I know of no way in which the Government conld appropriate money to be more likely to conduce to the general good of the country than this. SOUTH SEA ISLANDS. Mr Matson thought the Chamber should accord the Chairman a vote of thanks for his address. As. to the steam communication with the South Sea Islands, it was most desirable that information should be obtained as to what products could be exchanged between New Zealand and the Islands. He would move—“ That this Chamber recognises the importance of the step taken by the Government in their desire to open up a trade with the South Sea Islands, the first subsidised vessel for this purpose leaving the first week in June, resolves, in furtherance of the above object, that a suitable person be selected to proceed to the Islands under the auspices of this Chamber, in the interests of this part of New Zealand, to enquire into all matters of commercial interest, and to report to this Chamber within a period of, say four months; the cost not to exceed £ . The above resolution being subject to the necessary funds being subscribed by the public of Canterbury.” He had no doubt that throughout the country a few individuals knew,what could be transferred by sea with advantage to the several countries, but such knowledge was confined to the few. , , Mr F. Banks seconded the resolution. All must acknowledge that an enquiry into the trade of the South Sea Islands must be advantageous to this Colony. Canterbury had hitherto neglected the trade with the Islands, and now something should be done. The information, when collected, would be very valuable indeed. The resolution was carried unanimously. Mr Matson moved—'* That a Committee to arrange the details, consisting of not more than three, be appointed, with full power !to act, the Committee to consist of the Hon J. T. Peacock, Mr Banks, and the mover/’ Mr Trent seconded the motion, which was carried, unanimously. TELEGRAPHIC CABLE. Mr Meares had been making enquiries into the telegraphic cable charges between New Zealand and Australia, and found that at present there was no profit on the messages. However, he thought there should be a reduction, as the increase of the number of messages would more than compensate for any apparent loss. He moved —“That in the opinion of this Chamber a joint effort should be made by the various Chambers of Commerce in this and Australian Colonies to secure, if possible, a reduction in rates on messages sent by the New Zealand cable line.” The negotiations would have to be made with the Eastern Telegraph Company, which owned the cable, and which the Government subsidised to the extent of .£5350 a year, and which took the Government messages at half rates. Members must know that formerly messages between Sydney and Melbourne cost 6s, but the cost had been gradually reduced till now it was only a shilling, and the reduction had proved an unqualified success. This Chamber, of course, must get the co-operation of other Chambers of Commerce. Mr Weston seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. LONDON EXHIBITION OP 1880. Mr Chrystall considered it most desirable that the Colony should be represented in the Indian and Australian Exhibition to be held in London in 1886. He had pleasure in moving—“ That a sub-Com-mittee, consisting of the Hon E. Parker, Mr Stead and Mr Robert Allan ’be appointed to co-operate with Dr Haast in the collection of commercial products for the London Exhibition as regards the Provincial district of Canterbury.” Mr Laugdown seconded the resolution. Mr A. C. Wilson pointed out that hitherto the Committee of the Chamber had done the work of the Chamber, Mem-. bers seemed now to be moving in anew direction. Mr Chrystall explained that in this instance it had been' desirable that a manufacturer should be on the sub-Com-mittee. Mr Wilson thought the Committee could have asked the assistance of anyone versed in manufactures.

The Chairman, ruled that the resolution could be put. Mr Wilson had not argued that it could not.

Mr Banks suggested that Hi Wilson should move a resolution, in order to test the feeling of the Chamber. Mr Wilson pointed out that already one of the resolutions had been passed. After some further discussion, in which all deprecated any wish to slight the Committee, the resolution was altered to read as follows:—“ That the Committee of the Chamber be requested to co-operate with Dr Haast in the collection of commercial products for the London Exhibition, as regards the Provincial district of Canterbury,” in which form it was unanimously adopted.

Mr Matson called attention to the con-tribution-list, which was lying on the table.

It was understood that the sub-Cojn-mittee, previously appointed on the South Sea Islands, should report to the Committee of the Chamber. This concluded the business. ,