CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16564, 30 May 1914, Page 9

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

QUARTERLY MEETING

COMMERCIAL PROSPECTS OF CANTERBURY. Tho quarterly meeting of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon. About twenty members attended, and tho president (Mr E. G. Staveley) presided. CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS. The chairman, in his address, said that the date for electing members on the Board of Governors of tbe Technical College had been altered from January to Slay, and members would therefore be asked to appoint arepresentative. That was usually done by the Council, but it was necessary that tho election should take place this month and the information was received to< lato to be dealt with by tho Council. AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. A reply had been received from the Department of Agriculture that tho method of collecting statistics was substantially the same as that suggested by the Ch amber. It was not considered advisable to ask farmers in October to state what amount would be required for their own use, as it would depend on prices. The Produce Committee did not consider that the prices would affect the matter to a very great degree, and a reply was sent on those lines. Tho suggestion of tho Chamber was supported by tho South Canterbury and Dunedin Chambers of Commerce. TELEGRAPH FORMS. The Acting-Superintendent of Telegraphs had replied to n, communication from the Chamber, that the size of the telegraph form had received consideration, and it was not considered advisable to reduce it further. It was exacted that when the now forms were in circulation there would be very little cause for complaint. DAILY MAILS TO THE WEST COAST. The Chamber had supported tho action of the Greymouth Borough Council in urging on the Government the establishment of a daily mail service to the West Coast. The Postmas-ter-General was written to, and the Prime Minister was waited upon on tho matter. .The latter promised to bring the proposal before his colleagues and expressed his sympathy with the request of the deputation. PANAMA EXPOSITION. A central Panama Exposition Committee had been set up, consisting of representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, the Industrial Association, and the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and delegates had been asked to attend from the other Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Associations, Fruitgrowers' and Bee-keepers' Associations, and other bodies. At a meeting that week Mr M. O'Brien, secretary of the Wellington Executive Committee, was present and gave much useful information to intending exhibitors. Tho speaker hoped that Canterbury producers would see that a worthy collection of their chief products was sent forward to this most important display of the world's produce and live stock. If they did, he thought they might anticipate a share of the honours distributed coming to New Zea- i land.

TRADE WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES. Tlig Department of Commerce had written that arrangements were made for reciprocal information being supplied by the British Consular service of the dominion, and asked for suggestions as to what reports should be asked for. The Importers' and Exporters' Committees had considered the matter and recommended that reports regarding the United States, Argentina, Canada and Russia should be asked for, and, in addition, that reports should be obtained from the various British Trade Commissioners. CODE FOR HOME MARKET QUOTATIONS. The Department of Commerce had asked for suggestions as to improvements in the form in which information in regard to Home market quotations was cabled. It was decided that the Council had no suggestion to make on the matter, but recommended that the officer employed in making up the code should be asked to obtain information from merchants engaged in the various trades. INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION. The Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York had forwarded a report submitting the outline of a plan for international arbitration of commercial disputes between individuals, and had asked that consideration should bo given to the proposals and an opinion conveyed to them. A reply was sent that the Council was in hearty accord with the sentiments of international commercial arbitration and would consider in what manner it could further its adoption in the dominion. The discussion which took place on the question at the Boston Congress received the support of the New Zealand delegates.

METRIC SYSTEM. The Decimal Association had written stating that there was no advance to record in legislation dealing with the metric system, and asked the present attitude of the Chamber towards the question. The Council had replied that the system had always been supported and the Chamber had not changed its opinion. DISTINGUISHING STRIPES ON WOOL-PACKS. Replies had been received from the various Chambers of Commerce supporting the _ proposal to havo distinguishing stripes on wool-packs, accordnig to the various sizes of the woolpacks, and the matter was still under consideration by the Produce Committee. THE BRITISH EMPIRE LEAGUE. A letter had been received from the British Empire League asking the Chamber to contribute items of commercial interest for publication in the "British Trade Review." The Department of Commerce had been written to asking if it had received a similar communication, as it was thought that the matter was of too great magnitude to , be dealt with' by the staff at the disposal of the Chamber. The Department of Commerce had replied stating that ' it had not received a similar request, but that the matter would bo gone into.

CONGRESS OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE. An invitation to send delegates to attend the sixth International Congress of Chambers of Commerce, to be held in Paris next month, had been received, and Mr Gilbert Anderson and Mr H. J. Marriner wero appointed. Mr Anderson had kindly agreed to represent tho Chamber in conjunction with Mr Marriner. 'flio proposed change in the form of import entries was under the consideration of the Importers' Committee, which would report later on to the Council. Communications in regard to Lyttelton land reclamation had been received. The Council decided that it was inadvisable to interfere with tho policy of a. public body such as tho Lyttclton Harbour Board. NEW ZEALAND EXPORT TRADE. During tho quarter the Chamber had tho pleasure and advantage of being addressed by Mr J. H. Estill, representing tho Port of London Authority, and Mr W, I). Lysuar, of the Bristol and Dominion Producers' Association,, in regard to tho respective merits of thoso termini for tho realisation of Now Zealand produce. More recently, Messrs H. L. Riseloy and Manning Lewis informed the Chamber of U*<* great boiwafiM derivaM* from

shipping to Bristol for the distribution and realisation of products. Full reports of those meetings had appeared in the newspapers, and had, no doubt, been carefully read by members. Having been present at "all of them, the conclusion he had formed was that the activity cf those interested in the Bristol trade had stimulated the efforts of the Port of London Authority in meeting the requirements of overseas producers, as regards the handling and distribution of cargoes; that Bristol now had up-to-date and economical methods of dealing with New Zealand consignments, and was, in fact, in cheap communication with a large and important distributing area, but that for the hulk of New Zealand productions London was at present the chief market, and was likely to remain so. Recently, ho bad the pleasure of meeting Mr G. T. Milnor, British Trade Commissioner for Australia, who was visiting New Zealand during the absence of Mr Wickhain, in the interests of the Board of ' Trade.

NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS

During this month a deputation from the Council waited upon Mr E. H. Hiley, General Manager of Railways, and brought before him various suggestions for the improved working of the system, for some of which the Chamber had striven hard for many years. Mr Hiley gave the deputation a most cordial and sympathetic hearing, and promised careful consideration of tho points submitted, with many of which he was in accord. It was good news to hear that he recommended the erection of a new, up-to-date and commodious station building for this city. But with regard to the electrification and duplication of the tunnel, he made it clear that, from a railway point of view, tho duplication was essential for the traffic, and must be put in hand as soon as possible, while the electrification would only remain under consideration; in fact, he. was not verv highly impressed with the need for the latter. After hearing his opinion and those of other high authorities, it would appear that the Chamber might have laid undue 6tress upon the necessity for electrifying the tunnel, though, no doubt, for passengers it would be a most desirable operation. AMERICAN TRADE COMMISSIONERS. Messrs John Kirby, jun., and David M. Perry and Dr Albert A. Snowden visited Christchurch in April, and the speaker was present at a luncheon given to them by the American Consul, Mr Frank Graham. They were most hopeful that a larger trade would develop between their country and this dominion when tho Panama Canal was opened. They also emphasised the fact of the meat shortage there, and were convinced that America would continue to import large quantities for many years to come. The following striking figures supported that view:—

United States population 97,000,000 Cattle . . . 56,000,000 Sheep .... 51,000,000 Pigs • . .. . ; 61,000,000 During the last fourteen years the population had increased by 20,000,000, while cattle had decreased by nearly 12,000,000", and sheep by 10,000,000. TELEPHONE EXCHANGE. By the courtesy of the superintendent, Mr A..J...C. Talbot, ho had lately had an opportunity to see the working of the telephone exchange, an important department of tho commercial and social life. He could only say that if other users of the telephone inspected the system in operation they would probably conclude, as he did, that the complaints about the operators were largely, unwarranted,, and that in- comparison with others this city was well served.

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL. Speaking generally, conditions were prosperous. Money for investment was fairly plentiful and moderate sums were obtainable on first mortgage at 5£ per cent. _ Retailers stated that they had some difficulty in obtaining payment of their accounts. Probably, that, was due more to the cxpenditxire on luxuries such as motors and picture shows, than inability to pay by their customers. The farmers had had, and were having, remunerative prices for their fat stock, lambs especially being at record values. The export of frozen meat from the dominion for the four months to April 30y was in advance of last year. The figures stated were:— Sheep. Lambs. 1914 « . 1,236,996 1,719,924 1913 „ K '871,777 1,501,438 Increase . 365,219 218,486 Grain returns were not so satisfactory to the farmer in either yield or value, and the production of wheat was' diminishing. _ That was largely. owing to the scarcity and increased cost of efficient labour. Land values remained firm, and there was a marked desire on farmers'part to quit agricultural holdings in favour of sheep grazing properties. With the extended markets ooening for produce in Canada, the United States, and shortly, he anticipated, in Europe also, ho saw no reason to suppose—unless some grave national calamity occurred, which God forbid—that prices here would decline; but that they were more likely to advance further in the future, and that people would have still more prosperous times ahead. THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE. Mr W. D. Meares moved that the Government should be asked to advertise in the local newspapers on a fixed day in each week the names of new subscribers to the Telephone Exchange, with other alterations made during the week, and that in future issues of the list of subscribers space should be left at the end of the alphabetical .lists in order that new names might be written in. Ho confirmed what the chairman had said in regard to the Exchange. Mr A. Knye seconded the motion. Ho said that the scheme would be a groat convenience to the public and would help the Department. He wished to add his testimony to the good work done by the operators. The Chamber should place on record its appreciation of the work done at the Exchange. The motion was carried unanimously. PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.

Mr J. O. Jameson said that some arrangement should be made in regard to public holidays coming in the middle of the week. It would be better to observe the holiday on the Monday, in order to have a week, beginning on Tuesday, without a break. He suggested that tho Council should consider the proposal. The chairman said that the proposal was in operation in Australia. It was decided to ask the Council to consider the subject. "WEST COAST RAILWAY.

Mr J. O'Halloran said that further steps should bo taken to have tho railwav to the West Coast comoleted.

Mr H. Quane said that a. deputation had waited on the Prime Minister on tho subject a few months ago. Mr Massoy expressed an opinion that the line should be completed as soon as possible. He had promised that that would be done. Ho said that the greatest difficulties had been overcome, and the rest of the work would not be as hard as some that had been done already. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr Cyril J. Ward was elected a member. Mr R. C. Bishop was re-elected the Chamber's representative ou the Board of Governors of the Technical College.