CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, Issue XLIII, 16 April 1909, Page 3

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

[United Fbess Association.] THE CONFERENCE AT WELLING. TON. FAILURE OF THE VOLUNTEER SYSTEM. INSPECTION OF CARGOES. THE HOLIDAY QUESTION. WELLINGTON, Thursday. At the Chambers of Commerce Conference Mr Tolley moved tha* this Conference urges the Govern, ment to give special attention to the homo defence of the Dominion, and considers that the institution of a system of compulsory military train, ing is the fairest and most efficient and economical means of defence. The mover considered that the Volun. teer system had broken down. The motion was passed unanimously. A resolution asking the Govern, ment to introduce legislation making provision for the inspection of cargo (wool and hemp) before shipment, with a view to preventing fires, was lost. A motion was carried asking the Government to approach the London Dock Trust with the object of pro. viding storage and better provision for dealing with colonial wool there. A resolution • was adopted calling for a repeal of section 25 of the Lo. cal Bodies Loans Act, making it com. pulsory to invest local bodies' sink, ing funds in the Public Trustee. Motions were also passed affirming that the time had arrived for a re. duction of theh cable rates, and pro. testing against excessive bank hol>. days. The Conference asked that on race days and show days tho banks should be open till noon, and that all Saints' days should be eliminated as holidays in banks and Government officos.