AUCKLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8705, 23 October 1891, Page 6

AUCKLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The quarterly meeting of this Chamber was held yesterday afternoon, the President (Mr. A- Porter) occupying the chair, and over 20 other gentlemen being present. Intercolonial Free Trade.—The secretary (Mr. J. Young) read the following letter from the Victorian Chamber of Manufactures "At a recent meeting of the council of this Chamber it was unanimously decided to hold a conference of the various Chambers of Manufactures throughout Australia, for the purpose of considering in detail ' a uni- j form tariff, based on intercolonial freetrade. •with a commercial system favouring national i industries.' At the same meeting it was also decided to convene a mass meeting of Victorian manufacturers (previous to such conference) for the purpose of taking them into the confidence of the Chamber, and also to definitely ascertain what their requirements are with reference to the subject, and to receive any suggestions as to where the above conference should be held. I have been instructed to communicate these facts to you so that you might bring them beiore your Council, and if it was thought advisable that you rnignt convene a similar meeting of the manufacturers of your colony. But whether that is done or not, I shall be glad to hear at as early a date as possible, whether vour Chamber is in favour of the proposed conference, and if sol am to enquire whether it would be willing that it should ta'ke place in Tasmania during the forthcoming Exhibition.lam, etc., W. 11. C. Darvall, Secretary." The Chairman said the Council of the Chamber had- already taken the matter into consideration, and had decided that as it was a matter outside the jurisdiction of a Chamber of Commerce, it would be best to convene a meeting of manufacturers to consider the question. He moved to that effect, and the motion was carried. . The. Fruit Trade. —I he Chairman said, a considerable amount of interest was now taken in the fruit export trade, which in Tasmania had assumed very considerable proportions. Communications had, therefore been addressed to the shipping companiea, who, in response, had liberally met the Chamber by agreeing to charge 6d per case less from Auckland to London than from Tasmania. He moved, "That the thanks of the Chamber be tendered to the shipping companies for the concessions." Carried Mail Delays.—The Chairman said his attention had been called to the fact that there Beemed to be something wrong again with the mail service, as the incoming San Francisco steamer would not arrive till a day after the outgoing one. The Postmaster-General might be approached on the matter. It was pointed out that the delay had been caused in the transit across the American continent, and not through any fault of the steamer, and, several gentlemen expressing the opinion that the occurrence was so rare as to be unworthy • of notice, it was agreed that nr» action should be taken. New Member. —Mr. Austin Walsh was unanimously elected a member of the Chamber. '