CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17262, 1 September 1916, Page 10

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce was held at the Chamber of Commerce Hall yesterday afternoon, Mr H. S. Bourn (president) occupying the chair. There was an attendance of about thirty members. ANNUAL REPORT. The council submitted the following report for the past year:— At the last annual meeting a resolution was passed asking the Board of Education to confer with school committees with reference to making the holidays' of town schools concurrent with those of the country, with a view of enabling children to assist in harvesting operations. The board replied ikat it would do as requested, but pointed out that there were difficulties, as the holidays of country schools varied considerably. . The resolution passed at the last annual meeting, urging the Minister of Munitions to establish a munition factory, and to organise the industries of the Dominion, was replied to by the Minister, who stated that the matter was being exhaustively dealt with. _ . Representations were again made to the- General Manager of Railways asking that provision should be made' for the examination of passengers’ luggage at Christchurch instead of Lyttelton. He replied that there was no possibility of meeting the chamber’s wishes until the new station was erected. The General Manager of Railways was written to with regard to the condition of cars on the Christehurch-Lyt-telton line, pointing out that these were in a very dirty condition. The matter was .also brought under the notice of the railway commercial agent. Oie General Manager replied that the Department was fully alivo to the necessity of keeping the carriages efficient, but that trains did not remain , long enough in Lyttelton for much oleaning to be done; arrangements, . however, had been made for as much as possible. An Order-in-Council provided that cash deposits for telegrams might bo accepted from persons whoso residence or place of business is not less than two mile from the nearest post office. As this, of course, debarred merchants and others in the city from taking advantage of the system which had been in force for a long period, a protest was entered against tho privilege being withdrawn without more notice. The Associated Chambers of Commerce also took the matter up, and the Postmas-ter-General had consented to reinstate the system with regard to cablegrams only, on a payment of an annual fee of £2 2s. Firms who had had the benefit of the privilege offered no objection to this course. Action was taken with regard to the regulation that cargo had to be sent down to Lyttelton by the. 9 a.in. rain, the loss of time in getting goods from Christchurch to the ship’s side being emphasised, there being many instances of goods failing to arrive in time. _ Merchants could not get their Wellington orders away the same day. The Government was_ urgod to remove the export restrictions on wheat, so as to permit of a quantity being sent to Australia. The Prime Minister replied that the Government could not see its way to allow tho export of wheal and flour, and that, the mutter would be considered after the close of the session. The scale of commission charges was revised during the year, and a supply of the new scales printed,

' The Wellington chamber had brought under the notice of the Minister of finance the injustice of subjecting goods in interned enemy vessels to the oO per cent surtax* The Minister gave an assurance that these cargoes would bo exempted. During the year Christchurch had been visited on two occasions by gentlemen from Japan interested in trade with the Dominion. Tho second party visited New Zealand to endeavour to arrange for shipping facilities with Japan. The council showed them what attention lay in its power in tho short time at their, disposal. The Palmerston North Chamber asked co-operation in connection with the resolution asking -the Government to negotiate with the dominions of Africa, Canada and tho Australian Common- - wealth, with a viow to an interchange of foodstuffs. In view of the pending constitution of the Board of Trade, the council could not see its way to support the suggestion. Tho Superintendent of Telegraphs was interviewed in connection with the delay in the. receipt of telegrams from tho North Island. The reason for the delay on one occasion was the fact that reinforcements were leaving the Dominion, and tho wires were overloaded. It was considered that the Postmaster-General should be asked to .provide additional wires between the North and South Islands. The council pointed out that Christchurch was at a disadvantage with the other centres owing to the delays.- A reply was received stating that the expense would be considerable, and was not warranted, also that the times taken in transmission of telegrams was not considered unreasonable. The Postmaster-Gen-eral was written to appreciating . the difficulties at the present time, Jfat expressing the hope that means would be taken to have additional wires when the necessary equipment could he more readily obtained.

Information was received from the Department of Commerce as to various articles required in South Africa, which it was hoped might be supplied by the Dominion. The information wns published'in tho newspapers. Tho Dunedin Chamber forwarded a resolution protesting against the unpatriotic utterances of irresponsible war correspondents. Your council,' whilo sympathetic in the matter, was not disposed to trike any steps. Two interviews with the Commercial Agent have been held during the year, at which the following matters were discussed: —Sorting Calcutta consignments, timo of receiving goods at (railway, shortago of tracks, examination of passengers’ luggage, and state of passenger carriages on ‘the Lyttelton line. A -reply was subsequently received from the General Manager to these representations, which was not considered wholly satisfactory. Tho desirability of ,a uniform contract note for sales of grain for export was under consideration, and tions had now been received by the council which would be considered by the Produce Sectional Committee. A complaint was received that on a voiago from Sydney it was found impossible- to send messages to New Zealand, except of a most urgent character. The General Post Office, Wellington, courteously forwarded a copy of

a confidential report prepared by the Chief Telegraph Engineer on tho subject. This was very satisfactory, and the 'appreciation ’of tho chamber was conveyed to the Postal Department. A conference of Chambers of Commerce was held in London, at which Messrs Gilbert Anderson and A. Kaye were present on behalf of this charnbor. Tho full report had not yet been received. A letter was received from tho Defence Minister pointing out that the Samoan trade was decreasing,* and suggesting that merchants should send a representative to endeavour to improve matters. Information as to the nature of imports desired was obtained from the Administrator, but it was thought that Christchurch, not being in direct communication with the Islands, no action coufd be taken hero.

A letter and pamphlet was received from Mr J. Little suggesting the open in 4 up of the Estuary for the purpose of a port for Christchurch. The thanks of the chamber were due to Mr Little for bringing the matter forward, but. the present time wqs not considered an opportune one to discuss the opening of new ports owing to the cost. Information was received from the Department of Commerce that the Government of Now South Wales had decided to extend the 10 per cent preference to goods or material of British or Empire manufacture against those of other countries imported into the State for Government purposes. The report for 1914 of the Trade Commissioner (Mr Wickham) was received,* and it was pointed out to the High Commissioner that there was great delay in issuing the report, and he was asked to use his efforts to expedite the issue in future. The High Commissioner replied that steps had already been taken to expedite the publication of the report for 1915. Tho council had protested against tho partial stoppage of work at the Arthur’s Pass tunnel, and urged the completion of the railway to the West Coast as speedily as possible. The Prime Minister, in replying, stated that the Public Works Department had no intention of stopping work on tho tunnel. The Government was. urged to publish threshing returns weekly as soon as they became available, either in the Press or through tho Department oi Commerce. The Government Statistician replied that this was not practicable, as returns from the mill-owners were collected monthly. Ho was, however, willing to consider suggestions for improvement ns to earlier publication. The matter was then referred to the Minister of Agriculture, who replied that it was under tho conthol of the Minister of Lands. The usual contribution to the funds of the Technical College wns made, and Mr F. E. Jones was re-elected representative on the Board of Governors.

Considerable attention has been given to this subject during the year, and members attended a meeting with the Board of Trade recently on tlio subject of post-war trade. The recommendations of the Importers’ Sectional Committee. which suggested that commercial travellers should be licensed upon making a declaration setting forth the country of origin of goods, and that legislation should be introduced making it illegal for enemy subjects to hold real or personal property, or to trade or hold shares in joint stock companies, and that cargo should not. be carried in vessels owned or partly owned by enemy subjects, nor should such vessels be coaled in any New Zealand port, were adopted'. The attention of tho PostmasterGeneral was called to the, inadequate accommodation in tho money order and savings bank department at the Post Office. The chief postmaster was interviewed, who stated that efforts had been made to obtain a temporary building for use until tbo now building in

Hereford Street was erected, but without success. ;

At the quarterly general meeting in June the Chamber recorded its regret at the loss sustained by the nation in tho death of Field-Marshal Earl Kitchener and staff. At the same meeting sympathy was expressed with all those bereaved in the reoent naval engagement. • Matters relating to tho draft on wool and payment for woolpncks were brought unde" tho notice of tho Chamber, and it was decided that they should be placed among the suggestions for consideration by the Associated Chambers of Commerce.

The attention of the chief postmaster was called to. tho fact that if tile mail were kept in Sydney for the Wellington earlier delivery m Christchurch would be ensured. A reply was received' _ that the Commonwealth authorities state that all mails were forwarded by the first steamer irrespective of the destination, Auckland or Wellington, when a second steamer was not leaving within twenty-four hours. Tho Government was asked to consult employers as to rotation of calling up employees, so as not to dislocate business unnecessarily. A reply was received from, the recruiting office giving the procedure m the case of exemptions, the right being given to appeal to tho Military Service Board, but its decision was final. The next conference of the Associated Chambers or the Dominion will be held on November 22 and 23, when many important matters will come up for consideration. >

A series of poster stamps had been issued by the Railway Department to bo sold to business firms and others at a reasonable price, and to be placed on correspondence with outside places for the purpose of bringing under notice the advantages of the Dominion. Air It. C. Bishop had resigned his position as vice-president owing to illhealth, and the council’s appreciation of his valuable services was placed on record, tho sympathy- of the members expressed, ami a hope that ho would yet return to his position on the council of the Chamber.

The council regretted having to record the death of the following members; —Messrs E. G. Stave Icy, • F. H. I’yue and W. C. Aikou. A statement of receipts and expenditure, showing a credit balance of i;Vb 18s lid, was presented. CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS. Tho president, in the course of his animal address, said that the war, tbo prosecution of which was undoubtedly tho most. important matter engaging the attention of the British Empire and her Allies at the moment, had now been in progress for a period of twentyfive months, during which many changes had taken place affecting the commerce of the worfu, especially in the matter of oversea carnage. Although losses had been suffered by the torpedoing of some British merchant ships engaged in trade with this Dominion, thanks to tho British Navy, they hiul been much less than might have been expected, and it was satisfactory to be able to state that trade with the Homo Country was now going oa practically unhampered. Non Zealand continued to contribute • her share towards the prosecution of the wai to a just and honourable peace, both, in regard to supplying soldiers and the products of the soil. Considerable efforts had also been put forward in every conceivable way towards providing extra comforts for oui’ sick and wounded. soldiers and thoir dependents iu additiou to those provided under tho Government ponsion scheme, which pension was the most liberal in the world. By a combined effort no less a sum than £135,000 was coiitributed in tho Canterbury and Westland military areas. Other largo sums had also been subscribed for Red

Cross and other worthy objects, as well as for relief of the Belgian' population. The entering into the war of the Rumanians on the side of the Allies, and the declaration of war by Italy tipon Germany, were..tho most important happenings of the near past, which, with a possible influence upon Greece and Bulgaria, would doubtless have a pronounced effect upon its duration and tend, it was to be hoped, to an early termination. CUSTOMS TARIFFS.

Dealing with the question of taxation, Mr Bourn said that New Zealand, like all new countries, had to raise the greater portion of its revenuo from Customs tariffs. It was especially noteworthy that the early tariffs were preferential, and in favotir of British goods, as against all foreign goods, but Itoiu want of appreciate recognition were dropped. The first tariffs were purely for the purpose of revenue, and continued so m their main features to the present time, and must of necessity be so whilst a few people were scattered over wide areas and were still in the process of settling down. This aspect was entirely overlooked by those who had been brought up under freotrade, and it was not realised that tile impost of Customs duties by the Dominion was an injustice to the Mother Country. No country in the world showed such a large trade per head of "population as New Zealand, which had' reached tho high level of over £SO per capita. Of this £2B per Wiad was' from pastoral and agricultural pursuits. Thfe result •of the alterations in the tariff had been steadily to' reduce the percentage of taxation raised from Customs, which in the early days constituted nearly ,all the revenue—in 1900. 75 per cent: in 1910, 06 per cent; and in 1915, 56 per cent. These taxes were paid by the peoplo of New Zealand, and tho incidence of taxation was paid by them. v One thing which particularly impressed him in regard to importing Japanese manufactured articles was the fact that they had an advantage in labour cost, of from 30 per cent.to 50 per cent, ns against the British manufactured article. WAR TAXATION.

When' tho proposals in connection with special war taxation were printed a special meeting of tho council was called and matters which seemingly incurred some injustices were discussed and the following resolutions were passed :

That the raising of loans “ free of income tax” is unsound in principlo, and that the right of the State to taxa-. tion should never be foregone. That the council considers the present ah inopportune time to abandon the mortgage tax previously in force. That the Budget proposal to exempt from taxation income derived or received in New Zealand from sources out of New Zealand' goes too far at the present tune, hut that such mcorno should bo taxed only at the rates in force for the financial year, commencing on April 1, 1914, if the recipient satisfies the Commissioner of Taxes that such iucomo is liable to a war income tax, or a like tax in Great Britain, or any British possession, or any possession of our Allies in the present war, and that such tax has been duly paid. That tho principlo of taxing one portion of the community to pay a war bonus to another portion is unjust and inequitable, and in any case only tends to increase the cost of living. That in arriving at tho, triennial average profits for tho purposes of .taxation,, the increased capital of .trading concerns should be taken into consideration. That the council approve the prin-

ciple of taxing actual profits made as the result of the war. That tho Government be asked'to exempt contributions to patriotic and' war funds from extra taxation by permitting such to be deducted from war profits. PRICE OF WHEAT. The Board of Trade had met in Christchurch to take evidence op the flourmilling industry, and the prices charged in their relation to the price paid for wheat, and recommendations wore made to the Government fixing relative values. Ho mentioned this, as members would recogniso the importance of the wheat growing industry to Canterbury, and consequently to the Dominion. Australia had had an unprecedented harvest, with some 3,500,000 tons of wheat to export, with tho shortago of tonnage _ practically amounting to the impossibility of securing sufficient tonna'ge to lift it. The Wheat Board contemplated _ reducing tho price for local consumption or export to New Zealand to 4s per bushel, and fears were entertained' that New Zealand would bo made a dumping ground’ for the Australian wheat surplus, to the _ detriment and possible extinction of the industry and partial ruin of many farmers. A Special meeting of the council was called; when a resolution was passed petitioning that 'the Govornmemt should pass legislation to the protection of the industry, and prevent Unfair competition from outside, with, the result that legislation had been passed empowering the Government to increase the import duty to at least that which Australia imposed upon wheat imported from New Zealand'. GENERAL. New Zealand had enjoyed a period of prosperity sinco the war commenced, and even before the war. The exports during the year just ended had exceeded the imports by some £12,000, chiejly from increased prices, mainly for wool, and helped also to somo extent by a decrease in importations.

Organisations had been formed towards providing for returned ’ soldiers, and legislation had been passed empowering tho Government to purchase land for tho settlement of returned soldiers. While this was a very meritorious object it must not bo forgotten that , all men were not suitable for farming and that farming could not be profitably carried on .without capital. It therefore behoved’ them to encourage tho secondary industries, which would givo lucrative employment for all, added to which it was anticipated there would bo an influx of peoplo to tho Dominion after. the war.

Before tho secondary industries could be properly or successfully developed in Canterbury i£ was necessary that improved communication with its, port should be established., and as he had previously pointed out something for the betterment of Canterbury was urgently required, and he trusted that some* steps would be taken to form a strong committee of town and country to further this obiect. While perhaps nothing could be done while the war lasted, the machinery might be got in working order. The adoption of the report and bal-ance-sheet was moved bv the president, seconded by Mr T. F. Gibson, and carried unanimously. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Officers were elected as follow: President, Mr H. S. Bourn; vice-presi-dent, Mr C. H. Hewlett; council, Messrs P. Davidson, B\ E. Jones, F. M. Warren, J. T. Martin, F. .G Horroll, H. H. Smith, H. J. Marriner. W. M. Tyers, R. Hill Fisher, A. Kaye, J. A. Frostick, S. A. Orchard, A. H. Turnbull and S. Iv.' Sleigh ; auditors, Messrs G. E. Way and F. H. Labatt; sectional committees were re-elected. ANTI-ENEMY RESOLUTtIONS. Mr H. J. Marriner moved resolu-

tions for submission to the Board oi Trade advocating that steps should be taken to promoto—Preferential reciprocal trading relations between all parts of the British Empire, and reciprocal trading • relations between the 1 British Empire and Allied countries; tlie favourable treatment of neutral countries; the restriction, by tariffs and otherwise, of trade relations wit.i enemy countries, to prevent dumping; the obtaining of legislation making it illegal for any enemy subject to ho.d real or personal property, to trade, or to hold shares or any other interest in joint stock companies trading -in New Zealand; the obtaining of legislation to prohibit the carriage of cargo to or from New. Zealand in .?nemyor.ned vessels; and the prohibiting of tho coaling or provisioning of such vessels in any .New Zealand port ; to prohibt the entrance of. enemy subjects into the; Dominion, and to denaturalise every enemy subject at present in the Dominion! Mr J. T. Martin seconded the resolu-

tions. Mr A. H. Turnbull he thought the lesu section was unnecessarily drastic. It’ should be sufficient to stop granting naturalisation papers. The resolutions were put and ‘ carried, with the exception of the last section, dealing with denaturalisation, which was further discussed. Mr A. H. Turnbull moved ■ as'-'' an amendment—“ That no eneniy subject be permitted to enter the Dominion, and that no present enemy subject, be granted letters of naturalisation, in future.” The amendment was seconded by Mr H. H. ..Smith and Mr Mairjnqr withdrew his resolution.. Mr F. G. HorreU . said he . opposed the whole proposition. In. fifty-yeais' time members would bo :very sorry if they carried suclv resolutions; The’German colonists had. often proved very good citizens--The chairman suggested that - iho Board of Trade should bo recommended to consider tho terms on which enemy subjects should ho dealt with. Mr Turnbull snid lie hopcd.thq meeting would carry the amendment. Ho opposed the further admission of enemy subjects. • Mr H. Holland spoke in favour of tho amendment, which waß carried unanimously. , , ' A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr H. A. Adley, the. secretary, .forth© gift of a framed photograph of the secretaries of the association.. Messrs TV.' Pottrell and J. Moffat 1 * were elected memebrs of the chamber.