CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 2348, 4 August 1871, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

A special meeting of the members of the Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday, for the purpose of considering a communication from the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, relative to the appointment or election of a delegate from New Zealand to a conference to be held in London, with the view of informing Government and Parliament as to the commercial necessities of the colonies ; Gustave Von der Ileyde presiding. Present : Messrs. W. Morrin, Dargaville, Tonks, Tinne, T. MactTarlaue, S. Cochrane, J. McCosh Clark, Rattray.—The Chairman in opening the proceedings, directed the attention of tho meeting to tho importance of the subject under discussion. lie believed that the whole subject should have the gravest deliberation. lie would not express a word that could be construed into a ccnsure of the conduct of the committee. He would ask the Chamber to consider the suggestions which were thrown out. The form which their resolutions should take he was not prepared to say. But tho matter was before the meeting, and ho was perfectly ready to hear what was proposed, lie must again take occasion to impress upon members the desirability of giving a full attendance of the Chamber for the discussion of such important matters.— Mr. Tonks said the committee had the correspondence before them. He thought the committee were to blame in not having given i ample time to deliberate. lie thought that the committee might havo afforded more time to consider the matter. He was only anxious that Auckland should be represented. 110 did not care in what manner the thing were done if it should be dono quickly. lie did not believe there would be any difficulty if the members should agree to a common object, and proceeded at once to make some basis upon which to co-operate, lie begged, therefore to move, "That tho present meeting should proceed to nominate a representative, and that the Chambers of Canterbury, Dunedin, and Wellington should be asked to concur. —Mr. Dargaville seconded tho motion. He believed that Auckland had a peculiar right to be represented at the Conference proposed. He believed the wool trade would be well defended by the representatives of other colonies. The peculiar trade to which he alluded was that of kuan gum. There could ho no doubt that tho representatives of other places would look after the wool. He regretted, however, to see so small a meeting. He believed their attention should be given to the special products which formed tho most valuable portion of the local trade.— Mr. Thomas MaclTarlano thought that tho former action of the Board should bo adhered to. —Mr. S. Cochrane thought that no adequate reason had been shewn why they should havo departed from the action then taken.—Mr. Dargaville thought tho question was simple. For, suppose the different bodies were each to supply a nomineo, that would be a mode of proceeding which would not be allowed by the Chamber.—Mr. MocfFarlane suggested that Dr. Featherstone was a person eminently qualified for such a post.—Mr. Dargaville had no objection to Dr. Featherstono personally. Ho only desired to have the thing done. He did not care who should be the delegate.—Mr. Tonka's resolution was put and carried.—Mr. Macflfarlane moved that the Agent-General of the Colony, Dr. Feathcrstone, was a fit and proper person to be appointed a delegate. — Mr. Dargaville had the highest rcspect for Dr. Featlierstone. But they should recollect that Dr. Featherstono was a politician, tho mouthpiece of the Government, and it might so happen that his position would occasionally bo an embarras3mont. In this view of the matter, Dr. Featherstonc might not bo tho best man that could bo had.—After some discussion, the motion of Mr. MacfTarlane, that the Agent-General of tho Colony be requested to represent the colony on the Permauent Committee in London, was carried.

Business op tiie Chamber.—The Chairman hoped that now they had a convenient room, and would hare every accommodation, they would bo more punctual in their attendance. He must say there had been a good deal of remissness. Thero would henceforward be no excuse, l'or members of the Chamber could come t-o (lie room on the day of meeting and provide themselves with all the information they required.