CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5491, 23 June 1879, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

o ■ ANNUAL MEETING. TnK annual meeting of the Aucklam Chamber of Commerce was held on June 2 at the offices of Messrs. Tothill and Stodart Shortland-street. There was a large, and in fluential attendance. Mr. J. C. Firth oc copied the chair, and there were also pre sent, Dr. Campbell (Brown, Campbell an , Co.), Mr. J. M. Clark (A. Clark and Son) Mr. J. M. Dargaville, Mr. G. Holdshir (Auckland Timber Company), Captain Daldj (Combes and Daldy), Mr. Heather, Mr. B. Ireland (Ireland Brothers), Mr. G. P. Pi*rc< (New Zealand Insurance Company), Mr, Jakius (Jakins and Willcoi), Mr. D. U. Me Iveuzie (chairman Harbour Board), Mr. C, Harris, Capcain Casey, Mr. J. S. Macfar'.ane Mr. J. P. King, Mr. Boardman (South Britiel Insurance Company), Mr. L. D, Nathai (L. D. Nathan and Co.), Mr. F. Larkinf {Wm. McArthur and Co.), Mr. G. W. Owen, Mr. H. V. Anderaon, Mr. C. B. Stone (Stone Brothers), and others. The Secrktary (Mγ. Stodart) re»d the minutes of last meetiug, which were confirmed. REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET. The Secretary then read the annual report and balance-sheet, as follows: — Committee's report of the Auckland Chamber •f Commerce for the year endiDg May 31, 1879. In presenting this repoit, the committee cannot but regret that there should be so little of interest in its nature, attributable in a gieat measure to the indifference of the members of tho Chamber to each matters as should be worthy their attention in the interests of the country and city. CONSTRUCTION OF ItAILWAT FROM SeUTH End of Whaiut. —In IS7B the Chamber urgod upon the Government the importance of continuing the line of railway from the present terminus to the south cud of Queeu-street wharf. Extension ov Railway from Inglewood to Norhanby.—The Chamber directed, tho attention of Government to the great advantage, which would accrue to Government and the Taranaki and P.Uea settlers, as well as the consumers of this city, by the construction with as little delay as possible of the Hue in continuance of the Taranaki railway from its present terminus to Inglewood and Normanby, a distance of about 28 miles, thus bringing within reach of a shipping port the fertile plains of Waimnte, thereby enhancing their value and affording a means of transit to tho enterprising settlers of Taranaki, Patea, aud the surround-, ing country. subsidies to Steamebs : London Dibect.— The Chamber further recommended to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works that subsidies should be granted to steamers trading direct from London, calling at the ports of Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, and Duncdin. A deputation waited upon the lion, the Minister of Public Works, then in Auckland, and submitted to him the resolutions passed in relation to Financial Statement op Colonial TreaSUREu. —The Chamber expressed its approval of the partial abandonment of the ad valorem system of levying duties, as proponed by the Colonial Treasurer. Low-priced Goods.—The opinion of the Chamber is that the high tariff charged on lowpriced goods is mo3t excessive, aud would preis heavily upon the working-classes. The attention of the Colonial Treasurer was directed to the necessity for modifying the tariff, with the object of equalising the duty. L ND-TAX. —The Chamber endorsed the policy of the Government in reducing the duties on the necessaries of life and imposing a moderate tax upon laml, thu3 adjusting fiscal burdens in accordance with the capacity ef the various classes of the community to bear them, and in proportion to the advantages to be derived from the expenditure on railways and other opeSilver Coinage. —The Government has been requested to take into consideration the question of the silver coinage, with the view of calling in the worn and defaced coin. Sydney International Exhibition.—An intimation having been received from Government that an International Exhibition would be held in Sydney in August, 1879, and asking the co-operation of the Chamber as a local committee, to receive and forward exhibits, the following gentlemen were appointed a local committee for the purpose, viz.:—Messrs. J. M. Clark, T. Motrin. G. KoMahip, and his Worship the Mayor, T. Peacock. Harbour Board By-LAWs. —A letter from the Secretary of the Auckland Harbour Board, with a copy of the by-laws, having been considered by tho committee, a reply waa forwarded, to the effect that the committee could see no reason to suggest any amendment. Extension of Kaipara Kailway.—The Government were respectfully nr ß ed to extend the Kaipara Kailway northward from the most convenient point of the present railway, and a reply was received, to the effect that the mediate and pressing engagements of the engineering staff will admit, executing a survey of the proposed line, with a view of determining what action can subsequently be taken in the matter. In accordanco with rules, your committee now retires, and it devolves on the meeting to elect a chairman, vice-chairman, seven members of committee, and two auditors for the current year. Receipts and Expenditure of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, for the year ending 31st May, 1879. Dr. £ 8. d. 167S—Mar 37-Balance ia Bank of M)W Zealand 117 9 3 Subscrip'.iousreceiredfor the year 1879 60 8 0 Tottf £107 17 3 Cr. £ 8. (1. 1878—August 9—Telegrams, London and Wellington .. .. IB 10 AugustlS—Secretary's salary, 30th Juno 12 10 0 Bent. 30th Jane 0 10 0 1879 —February o—Secretary's salary, 30th .Septnmber .. .. 12 1C 0 Rent, 30th «eptem')6r .. .. em 0 Secretary's salary, 31st Die. .. 12 10 0 Rent, 31st December .. .. C 10 0 February 6 -Brett.advertising .. 0 11 0 Wi'.son, advertising .. .. U 1 I Cbamptalonp, stationery .. 0 3 0 Atkin, stationery .. ■- 1 15 0 Leielifn. stationery .. .. 0 3 0 April 7— Secretary, 3lst March .. 12 10 0 Kent,3lst March 6 10 0 BilJnce in Bank of New Zealand 53 9 10 Total £167 17 3 The Chairman slid : Gentlemen, —You have heard the report aud balance-sheet. It is now my duty to move their adoption, aad in doing so I shall avail myself of the usual privilege to deliver the annual address. The annual report of the transactions of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce just read, does not record much of importance, partly, because no great questions have called for vigorous action, and, partly, because Auckland merchants do not appear to consider it their duty to devote much time or energy to public affairs outside their offices. I may be permitted to express my opinion that this lethargy is not conducive to that healthy progress which ought to be the normal condition of a colonial community; and I make reference to it thus pointedly, in the hope that in the earning year a more active interest in general affairs will be manifested by the mercantile community of this city. In accordance with the usual custom, I propose (1) to review the condition of trade and manufactures in the Auckland division of the colony of New Zealand; and, as agriculture is a moat important factor in our real progress, I propoee to depart from the usual routine, and avail myself of this opportunity to direct your attention to its position and prospects amongst us. And (2) to invite your attention to the more distant, but not less important, question of the position of commerce and manufactures in England during the past year. I. THE CONDITION OV TRADE, MANUFACTURES, AND AGRICULTURE IN THIS TART OF THE ' COLONY. Notwithstanding the great depression of trade throughout tho colony, I have to congratulate you upon tho general soundness of trade in the Auckland district. This satisfactory condition results from the absence of speculation both in goods and land, together with an almost total absence of an extravagant stylo of living. As a natural consequence we have bad scarcely a failure during the year among the trading and agricultural classes. The position of the oity of Auckland, with the harbours of Waitemata on tho eaet and of Mannkau on the west, affords facilities for commerce but rarely surpassed. And though some errors may have been committed by the harbour authorities in utilising the great advantages Nature has placed at our disposal, still, much has been done. GRAVING DOCK. In my capacity aa your representative at the Harbour Board I have felt it to be my duty to express my deep regret that the Graving Dock, opened during the year, was not constructed, both as to position and dimensions, more in accordance with the growing demands of the port. It will, nevertheless, partially supply a much-needed requirement. I have to congratulate you on the commencement of the important work of connecting the linee of railway, North and South, with the port. When this, enterprise

is completed, a wet dock, between the Qneenstreet and present Railway Wharves, imay be made availahle;and English shipping drawiDg not over 22 feet will be able to discharge and receive cargo into and from the railway trucks. r , i KECLAMATK»S. I "' Large reclamations hare been completed daring the. year which will afford very great facilities for the prosecution of shipbuilding, timber, and other manufacturing induatriea. Prior to my holding a seat at the Board, some of these sites were leased for a term of 66 years, with abaolute water frontages for that long period. Looking at the future and probable reouirements of the port, I have not failed, aa your representative, to oppose any such concessions in. the strongest manner. To purchase riparian rights at a heavy cost, and then, after reclaiming land from the sea in front of these extinguished water-rights, to create other water-rights to exist for 66 years, the extinguishment of which may involve payment for compensation possibly approaching in amonnt the total cost of the reclamations made to this date, —has appeared to me to be a grave error on the part of the Harbour Board. In that portion of the reclamations open for lease during the past year, I have unremittingly endeavoured to induce the Board to adopt a wiser policy, and I am pleased to be able to report that, whilst every reasonable facility has been afforded to industry and enterprise, the adoption of much shorter terms in the portion open for lease has been secured, and the rights and interests of the general public hive been preserved. CONDITION OT TRADE. Trade in the Auckland district during the year, though shewing no great amount of activity, has been sound, no failures of any moment having occurred. MANUFACTURES. A mere list of manufactories in the city and neighbourhood willshew something of the progress alreaiy made, viz., brushmakers, batters, carriage and dray makers, ropemakers, brewers, flour mills, saddlery, tanners, soap-makers, shipbuilders, agricultural implement makers, engineers, iron shipbuilders, cabinetmakers, brick and tile makers, potters, saw-mills, sash and door makers, bootmakers, &c, &c. Amongst the miscellaneous articles produced in the Auckland district, timber calls for a special notice. From the thirty sawmills at work in this district, I have received returns from eighteen mills of the quantity of timber cut during IS7S, shewing a total of 45,856,000 or say 50,000,000 feet, and valued at £325,000. These figures really represent the work of three-fourths of tho year only, owing to the almost total want of rain during the last quarter of the year. A large portion of this timber is exported, finding employment for a fleet of shipping. A large quantity is worked up in extensive manufacturing establishments in this city into window sashes, doors, and mouldings, Tn these establishments high class machinery is used, and a large number of skilled workmen are employed at good wages. The manufacture of boots and shoes, within the last few years, has been extensively developed,—much admirable machinery has been introduced, and a very large number of young people of both sexes are employed. Looking at the genius of the people, at the advantages which Auckland offers by its abundaut coal and timber, by its admirable shipping facilities, and by its numeroua good sites for manufactories of various kinds, I see no reason to doubt that manufactures already so well begun amongst us will ere long attain such a development as will greatly conduce to the prosperity of the population generally. COAL. This product calls for special notice. The import of Newcastle coal into the colony has been during 187S, 149,206 tons. Coal produced in tho colony, 138.954 tons. The discoveries of coal all over the colony, and the opening of numerous mines to work these seams of coal, promise, at an early date, to abolish the import of coal, so keeping the money in the colony. New Zealand coal being supplied to consumers at about half the cost of Newcastle coal, represents a double gain. As the result of this great reduction in price, the cost of living will be diminished, and very great facilities afforded to all industries to which cheap coal is indispensable. As one instance, I may mention the fact that the Waikato railway is being supplied with Waikato coal at Ss Oil per ton. The Bay of Islands coal, being one of the best steam coals known, is supplied at the mine 3 to coasting vessels, colonial and ocean steamers, at 12s per ton. Coal raised in the Auckland Distiict shews a production of 45,599 tons for 1878. One great advantage arising from cheap coal will be its use instead of firewood, so preserving our forests for climatic and industrial purposes. AGRICULTURK. Having noticed our forest, mineral, and other resources, it is fitting that I should direct attention to our agricultural operations. The Northern part of New Zealand has a soil at least of average fertility, and undoubtedly possesses a climate far above the average, being eubject neither to long droughts nor parching hot winds: These advantages might fairly be expected to enable the farmers to supply our own requirements in the two great agricultural products of cattle and corn. Now, what are tho facts 7 They are these : We have, during the last fifteen years, paid not less than three millions sterling for cattle and corn alone. We have not far to seek for the causes of such an anomaly. They are three: —(l) The native difficulty ; (2) the fern difficulty ; (3) misdirected industry or speculative farming. THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY , . The native difficulty, up to a recent date, has offered a serious barrier to extended agriculture, by limiting the area of good land, &nd thus enhancing its value to a point beyond that at which profitable farming was possible. The conquest of Waikato, and the operation of the Native Land Oourts, have of late years placed at the disposal of our agriculturists large areas of good land. And, though native difficulties cannot be expected to disappear altogether for some time, they may be wisely loft to that natur.il settlement which our steady progress will promote, and to the good eense and wants of the natives. If, in place of waiting for the nod of a phantom native king, with proposals to make him a real king, our politicians would give the natives open Courts and open markets for their lands, tho peaceful and permanent settlement of the native difficulty will eventually be secured. THE IfERN DIFFICULTY. The Auckland district has no natural grasses of any value; the country being covered chiefly with fern or forest. The fern difficulty has been almost as costly as the native difficulty ; arieing from the circumstance that much of our fern land would neither produce grass nor corn profitably, unless treated on a system.-which we are now only learning to apply with advantage. The results of large and costly experiments warrant mo in saying that the "fera difficulty" is disappearing. From the causes I have indicated, and others to be presently mentioned, a wretched system of agriculture has been in fashion, which I may justly term speculative farming. SPECULATIVE FARMING!. Our farmers,, disregarding the well-known laws under -'which Nature inflexibly acts, have grown a particular crop because they supposed it would pay, rather than adopt a rotation of such cropf. as their lands were beat fitted to produce. A wholesome necessity is compelling many of them to abandon speculative farming, and to fall back upon a system more in accordance with common sense and well-known natural laws. Some of our critics say that indolence is the chief cause of our dependence for the chief articles of our food upon our neighbours. They volunteer the opinion, that this indolence is the result of climatic influence. Whilst I admit, in a measure, the charge of indolence, though I prefer to term it, misdirected effort, I altogether deny the alleged cause, namely, climatic influence. Some amongst us may envy the rich lands of our Southern neighbours, which, by reason of being covered with rich natural grasses, and having an unrivalled fertility of soil, have produced abundance of sheep, cattle, and corn without difficulty. This bounty of JNature has developed an exhaustive system of agriculture ill-fitted to promote perennial fertility. By the circumstance that Northern lands will not advantageously produce a good crop of wheat more than once in four years, we are prevented from adopting an exhaustive system of agriculture, whioh, however great its apparent temporary advantage, can have only one termination, namely, the impoverishment of the soil, and of those who cultivate it. For, let land be ever so fertile—continuous crops of wheat, without any attempt to restore to the soil the elements of fertility, will not only impoverish it —it will ultimately under such a system refuse to grow wheat at all. South 'Australia is an example of the exhaustive effects of long-

continued wheat-cropping. For, notwith standing the constant breaking-up of nti« and virgin lands, the yield of that colony rarely reaches 14 bushels, and sometimes falls to the low average of six bushels per acre. I a-n happy to say that in the Auckland district of New Zealand, a hard necessity is compelling our farmers to abandon the imperfect system which has impoverished them, and is forcing them to adopt a judicious system of rotation of crops, which, supported by a regular application of fertilisers, will ere long enable them to supply al] the cattle and corn we require. Undet such a" system, their lands will be kept fertile, and they themselves will "become a substantial and wealthy body of agricultur. ists. I hare only to add that under even the, as yet, but partial application of this eystem of rotation and fertilising, the average yield of wheat during the last three years has been 28 bushels per acre. 11. Having thus briefly the condition of trade and agriculture in the Northern part of New Zealand, I now append a table of statistics which shews the extent of the trade and resources of the colony, and which, I think, demonstrate the progress and soundness of New Zealand. ' STATISTICS. IMPORTS. 1877. 1878. Auckland £1,162 978 £1,460.010 Colony 6,973,418 8,755,663 EXPORTS. Anckland £323,159 £002,770 XT.SOB.TS TOR TDK COLOXY, IS7B (included in foregoing). Wool. 60,260,250103 £3.292.807 Gold 1,2-14,1110 Wheat 423,032 Kauri gum 132,975 EANKINO BBTUKNS. 1877. 1878. Paid op capital ('il banks) £4.853,550 £5,130 GOO Liabilities (six bank-) .. 8,757 283 10.455.U82 Aa ets (ditto) 13,!583,203 ie.se7.6Bj Reserve (ditto) .. .. 1,853 497 2,2>5.500 Dividends paid in year .. 1,316,883 1.372,216 Deposits : In six banks (exclusive of Government deposits).. £6,899,155 £8,277,914 In savings banks (general and post-office) .. .. 960,388 1,038,590 Tofcil deposits .. .. £7,859,554 £9,316,534 POPOLiHON. 187 S. Auckland 82,061 Colony 414,216 REVENUE. Colony (all sources) £3,915,315 INDEBTEDNESS. Less sinkiDg land £10,252 272 RAILWAYS. Milos completed (colony) 1082 Tolal cost to June 30, 187S .. .. £7,915,030 Revenue (gross; 6M.597 TELEUIUriI. MU<B completed 3434 At a coat of £394,414 Muoibcr of messages 1/ZUU.32J Revenue £92,432 POSTAL. 1878. Letters received and despatched— In colony 13,054,870 Auckland (Included in above .. .. 2,183,439 Newspapers and books— In colony 8.803.490 Auckland (included in above).. .. 1,414.786 Revenue £114,190 EDUCATIONAL. 1877. 1878. Scholats on booksAuckland 11,210 12,204 Coiooy (including Auckland) .. 55.CSS 65,040 Average attendance— AucKland 7'973 9,303 Colony (including Auckland) .. 41.773 50,039 It does not, ot course, come within the scope of this review to make comparisons between the Northern and other portions of the colony. I may, however, be permitted to say that, as the production of wool and wheat is but on a limited scale in the Auckland district compared with the very large production of both in the South, so the North only benefited indirectly, and. to a limited extent, by the high prices of these two great commodities, so, now that values of both are at zero, it is not surprising that the North has only suffered indirectly, and to a limited extent, by tho great fall in their values. Consequent on the continuous descent in values of wool and wheat, large reclamations have, aa a matter of course, been made upon colonial exporters. These, coming at a time when tho failure of the City of Glasgow Bank had necessarily enforced a severely-restrictive policy on the banks in the United Kingdom, and which compelled' all banks doing business in the colonies to follow a similar policy, have intensified the strain on our resources. It is a matter for cougratulation that the banking system of England and the colonies has passed through a, monetary convulsion unsurpassed in severity, ■with so small a. number of casualties. The general sound ness of the banking eystem has been demonstrated, and, as a natural sequence, confidence ia being steadily restored, both at home and in the colonics. Attendant upon this improvement, we may naturally look for a steady relaxation of stringency in colonial monetary institutions. Such a relaxation may, I think, be fairly regarded as necessary, wise, aud safe. The descent from the inflated values of land, however imperative and necessary, is at all times a ditlicult operation, and one which must entail severe suffering, ami heavy loss has been made. The three unfavourable seasons which have so sorely tried our Southern frieads, may not unreasonably be expected to be followed by a cycle of good years. Latest telegrams, advising a much healthier feeling and higher prices at the May wool sales, will at once afford substantial relief. The successful negotiation of the Victorian and New South Wales loans, and the high repute of colonial securities in the English money market, point to a greater abundance of money, and and sensible extension of financial accommodation to which I have already alluded. The favourable aspect which Native affairs have assumed, not only removes apprehension of any serious Maori disturbance, but gives promise of a permanent and peaceful settlement of the native question, and points to an extension of our railway Bystem, and the opening of large and fertile areas, for settlement aud agriculture, which have hitherto been closed. This, together with the completion of the present railway system, and the resumption of immigration of agricultural labourers, will necessarily involve the negotiation of a further loan. At the same time, it is well to consider, that though the assets of the colony have enormously increased, our indebtedness 13 increasing — if not pari passu — at least to such an extent as to demand the utmost caution in pressing our borrowing powers beyond a reasonable limit. In conclusion, I look upon the worst as past. Even now, there are abundant signs that the United Kingdom is about to enter upon another period of good trade. Confidence is being restored. Every raw material has seen its lowest value. The power to produce cheaply already exists. The power to purchase largely 19 becoming apparent, and, if I have rightly read the lesson of the past, it is no unreasonable forecast to predict a revival of trade, as prosperous and as prolonged, both for the mother country and the colonies, as any which has preceded it. I have now only to move the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, Mr. J. M. Clark seconded the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. The motion was then pnt, and carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Tho following gentlemen were elected officers for the ensuing year. Chairman, Mr. J. M. Clark ; Vice-President and Treasurer, Mr. T. Morrin. Committee, Dr. Campbell, Messrs. T. Macffarlane, J. Phillips, D. B. Cruikshank, J. M. Lennox, J. Waymonth, and C. B. Stone. Auditors, Meaers. J. M. Dargaville and A. Boardman. INTERDICTION OI COLONIAL TRADE TO TORSION SHIPS. Captain Casey said there was another matter he had to bring under the notice of the Chamber. He moved, " That this Chamber disapproves of the law now in existence which enables ships sailing under foreign flags to carry cargo in New Zealand from one port to another." He pointed out that such privilege was not allowed elsewhere, and said that tho bill was only brought in by Mr. Stafford when the Nebraska and Nevada traded round the coast. It had not since been repealed, and they had Dutch and Italian bottoms trading against them. Mr. Andbrson seconded the motion, and corroborated the statement of Captain Casey, and the motion was carried. On the motion of Mr. Holdship, a vote of thanks was accorded to the chairman, who suitably replied, and the meeting terminated. Mr. W. C. Breakell, engineer, made a flying survey last week of the proposed line between Cambridge and the proposed Thames Valley line, striking the latter about three miles east of Hamilton; The line will pass through not more than half-a-dozen properties, all the owners of whioh will be easily satisfied as regards compensation. Mr. Breakell has engaged to have plans all ready by the opening of the Assembly, and has two surveyors and 13 men engaged on the whole.