CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6150, 3 August 1881, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

An adjourned,special meeting of the Chamber was held yesterday in their office, Shortlandstreet, to consider the report of the committee upon " drawbacks," and the schedule annexed thereto. Mr. Charles- 0. McMillan, President, in the chair. >'.--. .'..'.. Present: A. Heather (Owen and Graham), T. Peacock, T. Morrin (T. and S. Morrin), H. B. Morton, Graves Aickin, T. Macffarlane, F. Larkine, F. Huii, J.; Lamb, E. H. Stovenßon, J, Harper, C. B. Stone, Captain Webb. ; The secretary (Mr. Stodart) read the report and echeduie as follows :— '. ■ Your committee have considered the.matters contained in tho resolutions referred to them, and have to report that the present system by which payment ot drawbacks is made, only after the return of the vessel, with certificates that the goods have been landed, is unsatisfactory.and prejudicial to the trade of this port. They recommend the Chamber to endeavour to alter the same for the following reasons :— Ist. That the delay in payment of drawbacks involves loss of intcrost on the money. 2nd. That a larger insurance than would otherwise bo necessary baa to be effected on goods exported. 3rd. That the system of receiving signatures to debentures is practically no check, as they are usually signed on tho word of the captain of the vessel at. the Island on which he is trading by anyone supposed to have a position, and without inquiry. 4th. That the system is not applicable to much of the Auckland Island trade, on which parti of the contents of cases are left at different Islands. 6th. That the facilities for smuggling, which existed in the early "days of tho colony, are considerably lessened by the increase of population along the coast, and tho "present system do»3 not provide any efficient check against that evil. 6th. Tho difficulties placed in tho way of buyers from the Islands are such as to encourage trade with Sydney in preference to this port. Your committee consider for those and other reasons the Government should be induced to withhraw any restrictions that tend to frustrate the development of New. Zealand commerce with the Islands of the Pacific, for wliich tho colony possesses special natural advantages. In addition to tho alteration of the system of payment the committee recommend that tho following changes should be inado on the rates of drawback. Upon these grounds the Government should be urged to give effect to these suggestions, and the committee recommend tho adoption of the resolutions submitted to the last meeting of the Chamber. - Ee Alterations in Hates of Deawbac£9. : Eato of duty, 15 per cent. Present rate of drawback, 9 per cont. Proposed- rate : — Apparel and ready - made clothing, 111 per cent. Blind cord and tape, 10. Cap 3, apparel, 10. Carpet bags, 10. Clocks (no drawback), 10. Collars and cuffs, piper, &c, 11}: Combs, 10. Cotton manufactures, aot otherwise enumerated,' 11}. Cotton counterpanes, 11}. Drapery, not otherwise enumerated, 11}. Forfar sheeting, 1 , .}, Furs, 11}. Haberdashery, 11}. Hats, 11} Hessians, 11}. Hosiery, 11}, Ink. writing, 10. Leather bags, 10. Leather cloth bags, 10. Linen manufactures, not otherwise enumerated, 11}; Millinery, 10. Paper, writing, 10. Bugs, woollen, cotton, ic , 10. Saddlery, 10. Scrim cloth, 10. Shirts. 10. Silks, 10. Stationery and account books, 10. Trousers, moleskin and cord, 10. Twine, 10. Umbrellas and parasols, 10. Woollen manufactures, not otherwise enumerated, 10. liVatches (no drawback), 10. Fancy soaps, 10. . , Perfumery : rato of duty, 25 por cent.; present rate of drawback, none ; proposed rate, 15. Perfumed s;pirit3: duty, 21s per gallon; drawback, none; proposed, 15 per cent. Boiled Sugar, proposed rate, J per cent. Lozenges, foreign, amouit originally paid. Lozenges local manufacture, Jdperlb. Coffee, South Sea Island, free. Driea fruits, free.

The Chaibhan : We have already had some discussion upon this matter, and the opinion of the Chamber has beon cavried out by the recommendations of the committee. I need simply to move that the resolutions be adopted as recommended by the committee. Mr. Peacock : I shall second the motion for the adoption of the report. I think it may be well to explain thst the difference between the 10 per cent, and the J.IJ per cent, has beon owing to the effect that this Chamber had alisady represented to the Government that 11 J should be drawback in these cases, and that the amount has been put in to prevent the Chamber stultifying itself by asking less. Wβ know that this will be sufficient to give back the duty at tho rate which is now charged. Mr. Lamb ; What is meant by boiled sugar? The Chairman : It is locally-manufactured confectionery. Mr. Peacock : In Hobart the manufacturers are allowed this drawback. Mr. Laiie : The Canadian Government have an universal scale which they adopt. A large proportion of things they allow to be manufactured in bond. Blr. Heather : I should like to know what will be tho position of the bondsman. Will the bond have tuiy finality ? Will the bondnman be liable to be called on if some of the goods should be afterwards landed in the colony ? The Chairman : The drawback will be payable at seven days. Mr.. Heatheb : Then, suppose a week after the merchant gets his drawbnek, the vessel comes back to Auckland, what would the Government say to that, if it should so happen ? The CHiIBMAN : It is not for us to consider what the Government might think in a particular contingency. They will no doubt take c*re of themselves. It is for us to consider the convenience for the trade of this place. Mr. Holl : But if we make a. ridiculous proposition to the Government we would be placing oureelvee in a false position. I think the drawback might be given before the certificate is silked. But it would be ridiculous to ask the Government te cancel the bond. Such a request would be certainly refused. The Chaibman : I think it is desirable that tho time when the bond expires should he named. Mr. HEATHEB: I think the bond ceases when the debenture is returned from the Island. There was noma discussion, I think, as to whether it would not be desirable to assimilate the Drawback Aot here to that of Victoria. But it appears 7 to me that our trade is wholly different/ Victoria has an extensive intercolonial trade. What would suit Tiotona would net suit this; place. I should be pr«p'ared to move an amendment on that first olau'se. I do not think, as regards the; Island trade, we can improve matters. Tthink the Consuls there do their utmost to give every facility

to traders. You could: hardly expect them to go down to the ship and «6o tho goods landed in every case. But they are willing to do all they can to help-the traders. The effect of the amendment I would propose would be this* that in the opinion •£ this Chamber it is un•riae to substitute the words "shipped as above" instead ef the words "landed as per certificate of the bank thereon." The Chairman : Perhaps Mr. Heather would put hislamendment in writing. ' Mr. HIiTHEE moved, a> an amendment, "That in the opinion of this Chamber tho alteration of the words ' landed as per certificate, for 'shipped as abov?,' is undesirable." It is better that as soon as tho debentures are

signed, you nboiild get your money. The Chairman : It amounts limply to this, that the present sjstem should be continued. ' Mr. HULL: I shall socoud Mr. He.-.ther's amendment, although I should prefer that the drawhaok be given within the seven days, provided a guarantee were given to produce the certificate as signed in sv givon time. I understand that as regards drapery gooda the shippers, at 9 per cent., get back all they pay. I cannot say positively that it i> so, but I am bo informed. But I am certain of thit, that if you request that the drawback ihall be given back in seven days, and that th» bond shall be cancelled, that request will he refused.

The Chairman : The whole of these figures hare been gone into by the committee. The committee hare already reported to the Government as to what would be fair.

Mr. Lamb: Wβ bare to look to the merchants and the trade of this place. . Business ought to bo bb unrestricted as possible. Wo feel that this Island trade is of great and growing importance to this part of the colony. I have v»en th» returns of the California trade with these Islands, and' Our trade, although we are so much nearer, i> a mere bagatelle as compared with that of California. I'do not fear thnt the Gove»ment will throw any obstacles in the way. ■

Mr. T. MormiH: I am certain that the Government will offer every facility to trade.

Mr. ft. H. STEVENSON: I am afraid that if you say to the Government we will look to ourselves alone, the Government will give you & like answer. I think to expect the liability on the bonds to ceueirr seven days would be unreasonable.

Mr. Peacock : I think it would be better to move that the report bo received, and then wo might take the resolutions seriatim. Mr. H. B. MoBTON : It seems to mo there ia rery little difference in this matter. There is no doubt that to getjthe drawback in the shortest possible time would be a benefit to trade. (Hear). But I don't think they would cancel the boDd. As to America, thoir forms are nioro rigid than ours in New Zealand. - -Mr. AICKIN: I understand from Captain Webb that these bonds sirs all filed in America, They do not expire, but the onus of proving any breach it thrown on the Government. Captain Webb: That is the usage iu our country. But the American coast is so studded with Custora-honset that goods could not be relanded without being known. Mr. T. MORniH : Tou have not put hardware in here. (Laughter.) Wo can all agree that the drawback should be paid within seven days, and that the liability on tho bond should only lapse when the certificate returns. Mr.. Heathbb : I make no objection. Mr. T. Mobbin : And that on all goods at 15 per cent, and upwarde there should bo H^—including hardware. (Laughter.) Mr. Heathee : I am agreeable. The report was amended to this effect, and agreed to ncm. cen. SOFT GOODS. The Chaibman : The Government had promised certain alterations as regards "plain' , and " coloured" cotton goods. The merchants have in consequence been obliged to bond their goods of this class until the deUrmin&tien of the Government should be known. I therefore thought it right to telegraph to Mr. MacKellar to obtain information on tho lubject. Tho reply received is.to this effect: That "until the Tariff and Local Industry Commission shall have finished: their inquiry, tho determination of the Government cannot be known."

Mr. .T. MoBMN : As that commission is •itting there should be no delay. On the motion oE Mr. Lamb, seconded by Mr. T. Macffablane, it was resolved, "That the report and recommendations of the committee of the Chamber should be forwarded to the Govgmment without delay."