BIG BUSINESS KORERO AT DUNEDIN

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2307, 27 November 1925, Page 7

BIG BUSINESS KORERO AT DUNEDIN

Chambers of Commerce Annua! Conference TAXATION INCIDENCE STILL ON SORB POINT [Por Press Association.] DUNEDIN, Lost Night. There was a largo attendance ol delo o ates visitors at tiie Municipal Council Chambers this morn.ng for tho opening of the annual conference ot the Association of New Zealand Chambers of Commerce. Among those present were:—Capt. M. E. J. Moore (Secretary-General of tho British Commission at tho Exhibition), Mr. J. W. Collins (secretary of the Department of Industries and Commerce and New Zealand Commissioner to Exhibition) and Mr. L. A. Johnson, private secretary to the Hon. W. Dowme Stewart, who was unable, through illness, to attend the conference, also a number of ladies. A civic welcome was extended to visiting do egates and their wives and to othei visitors by the Mayor, Mr. H. L. Tapley, M.P. Mr. W. Machin (president of the Canterbury Chamber) repl-ed to the welcome and referred to the important part which the business men of Dunedin had playo,} in the economic life of the Dominion. It was universally recognised that the financial genius, business acumen and probity of the business men of Dunedin had played a great part in the prosperity of the Dominion. On occasions those qualities had been called upon to the highest degree and never been called upon in vain. There was evidence of the largeness of view and business capacity of tho people In striking form in the Exhibition. It certainly was an indication of breadth of vision which some of them envied. He thought that he might fairly say that Ihe year now ended had been tlie'most active year in the history of the New Zealand Associated Chambers of Commerce. The executive had held seven meetings during the year, and he thought that it had been very clearly proved that the influence of the Association was greater, as it ought to be, than any that could possibly be exercised by any individual Chamber of Commerce (applause). He could not help pointing out to them just one or two features of the history of Chambers of Commerce and ot commerce generally that were worth noting. One of the most stilk.ng o those features appeared to him to be that not only in New Zealand, bu throughout the Empire and the world generally, increasing co-operation was being brought about between the commercial communities of various countries and their respective governments and also between the commercial communities and tho governments of the different portions of the Empire (applause). This harmonious working between departments of State and the commercial community was, to his mind very pleasant- and very promising. He noted also that the Federation of British Industries ,in thanking Mr Churchill for the removal of the embargo on foreign loans, had drawn attention to the depreciated condition of the currencies of different countries which gave those countries an unfair advantage over British manufacturers That showed that the problems of commerce were becoming world-wide problems. The president referred also to the establishment some time age of the international association of Chambers of Commerce, which he said was (another Indication of the world-wide interests of commercial men. who realised that they were not to be separated by national or other boundaries. (Applause). Remits Discussed. The conference dealt with about half of the 53 remits during the sluing. In dealing with the incidence oi taxation, it reaflirraed its previously expressed opinion that a graduated tax upon the income of individuals, in contradistinction to one upon the income of corporations in which they may have an interest is the fairest and least oppressive form of taxation to primary and secondary producers alike. Mie conference expressed keen disappointment at the continued faliun of the Government to gi ’e effect to tm* recommendations of the Royal Commission on taxation. A resolution was also pushed protesting against freedom from taxa tlon enjoyed by institutions controlled by State and local bodies. A proposal that income tax exemption to unmarried persons be fixed at £3OO was carried. The conference urged that the existing indefensible differentiation in favour of debentures issued prior to 1928 be discontinued. Lower telephone charges were ad vocated and a proposal adopted that v\hcn a surplus results from tho tele phone branch of the P. and T. Department, a concession to the annual rates be given users. Revision of bankruptcy legislation was advocated and a remit that the present rate of two pence on cheques and receipts be recalled and a revision be made to procure a penny duty was approved. The Government was urged to am and the list of statutory bank holidays to conform to those of other commercial institutions A proposal that the banks should close at noon on SaßirJay In.sicad of 11.30 was Jo.'fated. The conference reaffirmed its previous resolution regarding desirability of the Government inviting tenders advertisement in the usual manner for goods. The need for greater publicity abroad was strongly stressed. Very Few Bad Immigrants. Mr H. L. Thomson, Under Secretary of Immigration spoke on a r«-