CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 11049, 29 August 1896, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ANNUAL MEETING. The twenty-seventh .annual mooting os. the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce was hold yesterday afternoon. Mr I. Gibbs, president, occupied the chair and thirtytwo members wore present. NEW ME?.]LEGS. The following gentlemen were elected members of the Chamber:—Messrs Harry Queue, J. B, Reid, C. R, Clark, H. I>. Common, William Ballantyno, William Strange, Thomas Coverdale, Andrew Anderson, W. B. Cowlishaw, J. B. Fisher, J. L. Scavvell, W. H. Guudry, and J. C. Wilkin. ELECTION OF. OFFICERS. The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year Mr F. Waymoutli; vice-president, Mr E. W. Roper ; committee, Messrs A., Kayo, W. Devenish-Meares, I. Gibbs, G. Gould, G. W. Lambie, W. Chrystall, R. Struthors, S. Harley and G- T. Booth; auditors, Messrs R. C. Bishop and W. T. Charlewoocl. ANNUAL REPORT. The committee presented the followingreport : —“ Your committee has the pleasure to present the , following report of the proceedings of the Chamber during the past year ; London Chamber of Commerce —Messrs John Beaumont and George Jameson were appointed delegates to represent this Chamber at the Congress of Chambersof Commerce, held in London in June last, and the thanks of the members are due to those gentlemen for the time and trouble expended by them in our interests, and for the valuable collection of reports and other documents which have been received in connection with the important matters discussed at the congress. Customs tariff. —Your committee protested very strongly, but in vain, against the action of 'the Government in not placing all importers on an equal footing with regard to the duties paid during the time the alterations in the tariff were under discussion by tho House of Representatives last, session. The invariable practice in other countries and in this colony previously has been to defer the operation of decreases in duty until holders have had reasonable time to quit duty-paid stock. Delayed Telegrams.—Prom June 1 last tho practice of receiving delayed telegrams was discontinued by the Telegraph Department, and the charge for ordinary telegrams was reduced to sixpence for tho first twelve' words, including the address and signature, one penny per word being charged for each additional word. Your committee pointed out to the Postmaster-General that the concession would benefit senders of short messages only, and urged the advisability of charging one penny for every two words after the first twelve words. The department, however, did not see its way to adopt this suggestion. Navy League.—During the past year a branch of tho Navy League has been established in Canterbury tinder the auspices of this chamber. In addition to directing the attention of the people of this colony to the vital importance of maintaining the Naval supremacy of tho British Empire, upon which depends its trade and national existence, there is good and useful work which can be performed by the branches of the League in New Zealand, in the direction of continuing to urge upon the Government the necessity. for a training ship for colonial youths, the strengthening and perfecting of harbour defences, and the giving of greater encouragement and assistance . to our volunteer , forces. Chatham Islands Mail Service. —Your committee strongly advocated the continuance of Lyttelton as the first port of arrival and final port of departure, and we are pleased to be able to report that this has been secured; the Government having renewed the mail contract for two years with that condition. Trade Terms.—A communication was received from the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, asking that an effort should be made to induce the ironmongers of Christchurch to adopt the trade terms which are used by other branches of trade, and which were agreed to by this Chamber in 1889. At a meeting of those interested it.was decided to agree to the proposal, provided the ironmongers of Dunedin adopted? the same course. Railway Charges.—-The excessive rates charged for passengers and merchandise on the Chrisfcohurch-Lyttelton section of the railway have again occupied the attention of the committee, but so far no reduction has been obtained from the railway authorities. This question will, however, not he permitted to rest, and your committee will co-operate with other local bodies in pressing the just claims of this district upon the Minister of Railways at the first favourable opportunity. A reduction of the railway rates on frozen meat throughout the colony is also urgently : needed. Foreign Competition. - In a despatch received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated Nov. 28 last, a return was asked for showing the value of articles imported into New Zealand from foreign countries. The return was prepared by the Customs Department,, and at the request of the Government your committee has furnished a report upon the reasons these importations have displaced similar goods of British manufacture. This report,' together with similar documents from other Chambers of will place in tho bands of the Secretary of State for the Colonies information of a valuable character. Income Tax on Consignments. Some difference of opinion exists as to the manner in which the tax on consignments should be levied. A large number of importers are in favour of a tax of 10 percent on the gross sales or, in other words, at the rate of i per cent on-the gross turnover, while consignees of consignments state that the estimated profit fixed by the Commissioner, viz., 7| per cent, is excessive, and that 4 per cent is a more reasonable rate. Youi- committee have had considerable difficulty in dealing with this question. After full consideration it was decided that as income tax is not levied for protective purposes, your committee could not see its way to recommend the Commissioner to adopt the proposal of the importers. The Commissioner has now decided to adhere to his original proposal, viz., to charge 5 per cent income tax on an estimated profit of 71- per cent on net proceeds of consignments, with a reduction where less profits or losses are proved to have taken place. Vancouver Mail Service.—The following resolution passed by the committee has been forwarded to the Hon the Premier: —‘That in the opinion of this Chamber it is desirable that encourageshonld he given to the Vancouver steam service to call at a New Zealand port, and that the Government be respectfully urged to place a sum of money on the estimates with that object.’ Rabbit Invasion of South Canterbury.—Tho following communication was forwarded by tho president to the Hon tho Minister of Lands and to the members for Canterbury in the House of Representatives ‘ Tho committee of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce respectfully and - earnestly urge yon to support the. petition of Charles George Tripp and others, presented to Parliament with reference to the erection of a rabbit-proof fence in South Canterbury. I need hardly point out that unless some action is taken promptly to check the advance of rabbits in that district, the ra-

suit will be most disastrous to pastoralists, and the revenue derived from Crown tenants will be seriously affected.’ Juries Amendment Act. —This matter has been again under the consideration of the committee, and the following resolution has been forwarded to the Canterbury members of Parliament ;— ‘ That the committee of this Chamber protests very strongly against the proposed abolition of special juries as detrimental to the interests of the community at large, which would be deprived of the services of experts in deciding cases in which technical questions are involved.’ Uniform size of bags for sale of colonial produce.— A letter has been received from the Minister of Industries and Commerce, intimating that a suggestion had been made by one of the Australian Governments, as to the desirableness of the colonies adopting a uniform size of bags for the sale of colonial produce. The question was referred to the Grain and Produce Committee who, reported to the following effect, that while there is no objection to a uniform size of bag for i wheat provided the change be not brought into operation for at least two years, the committee could not, owing to the great variety of l\ow Zealand products, recommend the proposed change. Membership. — Your committee has to record, with profound regret, the death of Mr James Gammack and Mr Peter Cunningham. Mr Gammack was an old and much respected settler in this province. Mr Cunningham was one of the earliest members of the Chamber, and was elected President in 1875 and 1876. He has rendered most valuable services on many occasions, and his death is an irreparable loss to the Chamber and the commercial community of the colony. During the past year the Chamber has lost two of its members by death, eight have resigned, leaving at present 104 members on the roll. There are thirteen now inembers nominated for election at this meeting. Secretaryship.—Since the issue of the last annual report Mr J. A. Bird has resigned the secretaryship to the Chamber, and Mr Walter M. Ollivier has boon appointed to tiie vacancy. • Mr Ollivier occupies the office adjoining the Chamber.” The balance-sheet, audited by Messrs E. C. Bishop and W. T. Charlewood, showed the receipts for the year to have been £379 Is 4d, and the expenditure .£343 3s lOd, leaving a credit balance of .£3O 4s sd, against a debit balance of £5 13s Id at the beginning of the year. president's address. The President in moving the adoption of the report and statem nt of accounts made an able address. Ho said that, deducting the amount of the total imports of 1895 from that for 1896, therO was a balance in favour of the year just closed’ of £402,342. The exports of the colony showed an increase in value of £627,451, the increase from Lyttelton being only £57,600. Trade generally was of an exceptionally sound character, money was plentiful and was obtainable at low rates of interest on good securities, but there appeared to be a want of confidence in the future, and, with the exception of mining ventures, there was no disposition on the part of capitalists "to invest money in the development of industries, or of entering upon new manufacturing enterprises. The returns prepared by the Government gave the total export of wool from the colony for the year ending June 30 last as 129,347,8251 b, of the declared value of £4,393’,574, against 138,881,0531 b of the value of £4,028,851 for the previous year. Private statistics showed the total number of bales of wool and skins exported to the United Kingdom for the year ended June 30 as 380,741, against 376,489, for the preceding year, an increase of 4252 bales. These figures bore out the prediction he. made at the last quarterly meeting, that the clip of the colony would show a small increase instead of the deficiency which was feared at an earlier period of the year. The statistical position of wool was fairly strong; the American clip was reported as being short, while the Australian clip was not expected to exceed that of last year, which it would be remembered showed an enoimious decrease as compared with previous years. The fact that that decrease was likely to be repeated should assist to keep values steady. The Presidential election was still proceeding in the United States, and until the result was known it was impossible to say what the demand for wool would be from that country; with so much uncertainty existing, it was quite useless to predict the future course of the market. The wool clip and lambing the coming season promised to be exceedingly good, and, on the high country, in marked contrast to what was experienced after the severity of last winter. In 1896 there were 245,441 acres planted with wheat in the colony, yielding 6,843,768 bushels, an average of 23 bushels per aero, against 148,605 acres in 1895, yielding 3,613,137 bushels* an average of 24’31 per acre. It was estimated that an increased acreage of fully 20 per cent would be. sown with wheat this season. So far the prospects were excellent, and, should other prove favourable, a considerable quantity of grain would be available for export next year, a portion of which, no doubt, would have to go to London. A cable message received within tho last lew days advised a rise . of 6d to. Is per quarter in the London, market, in consequence of the unsatisfactory reports of the crops in Knssia and America ; and, if the weather continued unfavourable for harvesting operations in England, a further rise in price might be expected. It was interesting to . note that the quantity of wheat afloat for the United Kingdom and Continent had decreased by nearly 50 per cent during the last four years. The explanation of this decrease was that a large fleet of steamers was now available for the rapid transit of grain, and with the aid of telegraphic communication the requirements of the Home markets could be speedily supplied, rendering it unnecessary for purchasers to have such a large quantity afloat as in former years, when the carrying was done chiefly by sailing vessels. Frozen Meat.—The growth of this export during the past ten years was very x'emarkable, as the following figures would show : The export for 1805-86 was equal to 574,193 carcases of 601 b each, and for 1895-96 eqiial to 2,164,462 carcases of 601 b each, an increase of 1,590,270 carcases. The average price in London in 1886 was 5d per lb, and in 1896 about 31 d per lb, a decrease of lid, which was rather startling The decline in price was partly attributable to the over-supply of meat in the English market, which meant that the consumption had not kept pace- with the production of this article of food. After an almost total stoppage for some months Australia had again commenced exporting, while imports from the Eiver Plate showed no signs of diminution. Under these circumstances stocks could not be reduced, and it was not probable that any rise in price could take place at any rate for some time to come. Another cause of low prices was said to be the large number of damaged carcases placed upon the market. He was inclined to.think that the depression from that cause was accentuated by the fact that purchasers of frozen meat have had to face a falling market for some months past. A joint committee of both Houses of Parliament had been taking evidence during the session on matters connected with the frozen meat trade, and the thanks of the community were due to the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association for taking the initiative in presenting a petition to Parliament on the subject. It had been the practice hitherto to credit the carrying steamer with the whole of the damage from the time the meat was killed until it was disposed of in London. He was strongly of opinion that the chief causes of damage must be looked for in other directions, and he ventured to direct attention to

the following':— (1) The Freezing Works: —One expert had stated that seven days were required to properly freeze a carcase of mutton, another five days, .and a third four. to five days. It was possible that meat might bo sometimes too hastily frozen and insufficient time allowed for the cold to penetrate to the bone. (2) Many of the trucks provided by the railway were unsuitable for the proper carriage of meat in hot weather, and the facilities given by the railway authorities for the transit of moat to the loading port were insufficient. During the summer months, special trains should be placed at the disposal of the freezing . companies ' early in the morning and in the evening, and the handling of meat in the extreme heat of the day should be avoided as far’ as possible. (3) Cold air stores should be erected at the London docks, into winch steamers should discharge their cargoes direct, delivery to consignees to be given from the stores instead of sorting cut the various consignments on board as at present. Another point to which it was necessary to direct attention was the high rates charged by the railway authorities on frozen meat from the freezing works to the loading port. In a recent interview with the representative in Ldndon of an Australian newspaper, Mr John Cooke was reported to have said that Now Zealand grown lamb was preferred to the home product. If that was so, it was somewhat remarkable that consumers should continue to pay ltd per lb for English when they could get New Zealand at under 5d per lb. A great deal bad been written from time to time with reference to the falling off in the quality of New Zealand mutton., It was. held bysomo of those who were best able to form an opinion on the subject that the quality of prime Canterbury mutton would decrease year by year so long as the present large export of primest lambs continued. In order to maintain the high character of our mutton, some regulation should bo made, for a year or two I at least, to limit, if not to discontinue altogether, the export of ewe lambs. He had taken considerable interest in the formation of the local branch of tho Navy League, and he could not permit the opportunity to pass without again’ appealing to the members of the Chamber, and to the people of Canterbury, to support so patriotic and useful an organisation. After speaking in favour of the Vancouver mail service, he referred to the Midland Railway. He said that it would bo more satisfactory if the overtures of the Company for the speedy completion of the line were reasonably met by the Government, rather than that the extension of the railway should bo dependent on an annual vote, cither out of the consolidated revenue or from borrowed money. He referred at some length to the discussion in Great Britain and the colonies regarding an Imperial Customs Union, and referred to the loss which the Chamber’ had sustained by the deaths of Mr]?. Cunningham and Mr James Gammack. The address was loudly applauded. - Mr F. Way mouth seconded the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, and stated that the latter showed the result of having been able to sell the Bedford Row section and invest the proceeds. This bad not only enabled them to show a credit balance, but also to largely increase the number of periodicals taken for the use of members. He would point out that the report only represented part of the work done by the committee, and it was the earnest wish of members of the committee that members of the Chamber should not' leave- it to the committee to look, out subjects to deal with, but should bring matters before them. He hoped that a motion might be brought forward that afternoon to urge the erection of a rabbit fence in South Canterbury—a matter which was of great importance, but upon which he feared, from what he had seen when m Wellington recently, nothing would be done unless pressure were brought to bear. •

Mr A. Kaye supported the motion. He emphasised the desirability of the citizens supporting the Chamber. He paid a high tribute to the energy and ability with which the retiring president had discharged the duties of his office. The Chamber had done a deal of work which the community in general knew very little about. He had prepared a list of the subjects which had been , dealt with by the Chamber during the last few years. These were the following:— The credit system, the examination of goods by Customs in the Christchurch sheds, grading and shipment of dairy produce, branding and carriage of frozen meat by rail and sea, unsafe packing of poisons, reciprocity with other colonies, coastal steam services, mail services, reduction in cable rates, clauses in bills of lading, overdumping of wool, railway cartage rates, the rabbit pest, the decimal system, the instate of accountants, the Midland Railway, railway commissioners, railway tariff rates, customs tariffs, size of cornsaeks,' Mercantile Marks Act, immigration, bimetallism, consideration of Acts of Parliament—such as Bankruptcy Acta, &c.. Assignment of Book Debts, Patent, Laws, Juries Act Amendment, Tax on Consignments, Land and Income Tax and many others, and the Chamber had been represented at commercial congresses at London and elsewhere. Very good results had in many cases followed the action of the Chamber in connection with these matters. He merely mentioned them to show that the Chamber did not let current events pass without considering them and making representations thereon in the interests of the community. . . ■ . The motion was carried unanimously. VOTES OF THANKS. The Hon E. W. Parker moved a vote of. thanks to the retiring President and Committee. He remarked that it was Quite, true that the community did not realizethe amount of work done by the Chamber and its Committee. Mr G. T. Booth' seconded the motion. He congratulated the President upon having closed a useful year of office with such an admirable address. In regard to the not very satisfactory prospects of our products, referred to by the President, he thought that Imperial Customs unions and zollvereins were only tinkering with the. subject. The falling prices of the last few years were very serious indeed, and he thought that the Chamber should seriously take up the matter and consider what should be done.- Thp cause of the difficulties lay, he thought, in the mistaken policy -of England ■on the currency question, and would not be remedied until slie joined other countries in establishing international bi-metallism. The motion was carried unanimously. A vote of thanks was also passed to the auditors. COST OF TELEGRAMS. ' Mr E. W. Roper moved—" That, in the opinion of this Chamber, as telegrams of twelve words can be sent for 6d, it would only be reasonable and consistent to charge for additional- words at the same rate, namely, |d per word. This resolution to be forwarded' to the Government.”

Mr Gilbert Anderson seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. WOOL SALES. Mr Lauvenson said that he would ask the committee to consider the advisability of having wool sales held in Lyttelton instead of in Christchurch. The present system put the farmers to the expense of having their’wool returned from Lyttelton to Christchurch. The loss caused by this was very considerable. The President said that he would bring the matter before the committee. Tho meeting then closed. ' '