OAMARU CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13665, 6 September 1916, Page 1

OAMARU CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MEETING OF RETAILERS' COMMIT/TEE. The sub-sectional committee recently appointed in the interests of the retailers section of the Chamber met on Monday night, when Messrs R, Brown senr,, W. Strachan, J. 'Wilson j B. de .Lambert, A. Slater, D. Findlay, J. Walker, W. Kinder, and J. Rodmau, were uresent. An apology for absence was received from Mr Adam Mackay. Election of Chairmau.-By a unanimous 'resolution Mr E, Brown sear was duly elected chairman and convener. Future Meetings.—lt was decided to hold ordinary meetings by-monthly on the Monday preceding the date ol the general committee meetings, otherwise as frequently as occasion required. Public Holidays—The holiday question was fully gouo into, the following being duly reeogniad; Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New ':i ....:■'n day, and the following day. Good I'.. day, Easter Saturday, Easter Monday Labour Day, aud the birthday of the reigning Sovereign, It was strongly urged that no others should be recognised without tho unanimous agreement of the retailers.

Tentatively it was decided that with the exception of Labour Day, no other holiday should be conceded within the next two months, pending the report of l a committee appointed to consult with the retailers of the district with the view of securing, if possiblo, unanimity in tho matter, alt -present pledging themselves to refer any requests for other than the recognised statutory days, to the Secretary of the Chamber. The Credit Question.—The constitution of the Credit Protection Association of North Otago was approved, 'The secretary read a statement bearing upon the, relation of credit as it affected business generally, and in which the importance of attention to the ■'' outstandings'' was stressed. An interesting and animated discussion ensued during which it was clearly demonstrated that / the days when long credit could be maintained, were passing, and that some drastic and combined action on the part of traders would necessarily have to be adopted. The burden was becoming too acute, and the losses sustained too heavy to be borne with safety or equanimity. Several members testified to the bebefils derived from the services of the recently formed Credit Protection Association of North Otago and it was unanimously resolved to accord support to the Association with a recommendation to traders generally lo join in and avail themselves of its facilities for conserving their interests in the desired directions, namely, the reduction of "'outstandings" and minimising the risks of credit.

(c.) Where goods are ordered through a buying agent in the United Kingdom who is given discretionary powers as to sources of supply, and irrespective of whether the suppliers' invoice is to lie ultimately sent along with his own invoice to New Zealand or not, there will be no necessity to obtain a license in New Zealand provided that the agent gets the invoice to be sent to New Zealand vised and l approved at the office if the High Commissioner in London.

(d) It should be understood that it is only in cases covered by the preceding clause that invoices should be submitted to the High Commissioner, and that whenever the name of the probable supplier is known to the New Zealand importer, a license must be obtained.

(c.) Where a New Zealand importer has got into touch with a new firm subsequent to the outbreak of war, he should state when applying for a license how he came to communicate with that linn, aud should submit any relative papers.

(f.) Licenses will not lie required for goods bought out of stock in Britain, British Possessions, Franco, .liipiiu, or the United States, but. in no case shall tliis be construed into permission to import:— (.1.) Any goods of enemy manufacture, or ownership; or

(2.) Goods lieinjj the produce or manufacture of any linn with whom a license to trade has lieen refused; or (3.) Ai>y goods prohibited from importation under the War Regulations, (g.) Importers are specially warned against ordering or importing goods from any linn or person from time to time declared in the New Zealand Gazelle (o be an enemy. ARTHUR it. MYERS, GfH Minister of Customs,