MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10132, 15 May 1896, Page 1 (Supplement)

MEETINGS.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. The quarterly meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce was held on the 12th of May in the Chamber of Mines rooms, Hobson Buildings, Shortlaud-street (Mr. S. C. Johnston presided) and there were alse present:—Messrs. M. Clark, Graves Aickin, S. Vaile, A. H. Nathan, J. Reed, W. Crowther, M.H.R., John W. Hall, Leightou, J H. Dalton, Finlayson, J. McLachlan, and Hooton. THE EKI'ORT. - Mr. Goulstone read the report of the committee, which was adopted.

ADVERTISING THE COLONY. In the absence of Mr. L. 1). Nathan, Mr. G. Aickin brought forward the proposition of the, former in regard to advertising the colony in England and Scotland. Mr. Nathan pointed out that of course the financial, shipping, and commercial classes know a good deal about ub (and in many respects know mora than the bulk of our own ppoplel, because It is their interest to keep themselves well posted up, but outside of this limited circle we are lost in the general attention paid to India, Egypt, Japan, the Argentine, South Africa, West Australia, and the United States, while we have millions of acres of undeveloped and fertile land, vast mineral wealth, and other manifold attractions, so well known [to ourselves; and while millions of capital , are seeking profitable investment, and the yearly overflow of population seeking occupation—in a climate congenial to Englishmen—is immense. Now, to divert this stream of brain, muscle, and money to these shores seems to me to be most desirable, particularly at the moment when a national spirit has been aroused through recen events, and I see no better way to give prominence to this subject than in addressiug the local Chamber of Commerce, with the suggestion that the Government should be asked to give greater forco to the spread of useful information at home. My own idea is that it would handsomely pay the colony to have a good room somewhere near Cornhill in London, close to the Stock Exchange, which should be set apart as a place of New Zealand exhibits, particularly at first for auriferous ores and gold specimens, and on the walls of which room there should be illustrations of the many scenes of New Zealand industrial life, photographs of our chief cities, etc., and with full supply of pamphlets distributed gratuitously; with a similar room in the heart of the city of Glasgow. These rooms to be officered by gentlemen of good address and practical knowledge of the colony, and subordinate to the Agent - General. Mr. Aickin proceeded to point out the great natural resources aud productive power of the colony, salubrity of climate, and its mineral resources, etc. He moved, " That this Chamber respectfully directs the attention of the New Zealand Government to the great importance of bringing and keeping under the notice of the people of Great Britain the splendid natural resources of the colony, its mineral and forest resources, its wealth, its immense tracts of fertile lands, and its great attractions for tourists. _ That while the Chamner cheerfully recognises the valuable services performed from time to time in the direction indicated by successive Agents-General of the colony in London, it is apparent to all colonists who visit the Mother j Country that much ignorance still prevails there regarding New Zealand, and it is very widespread. Ihat_ the Chamber is therefore of opinion that in the interests of the colony more vigorous measures should be adopted to disseminate amongßt the people of Great Britain such literature as is specially calculated to draw prominent attention to our colony and its principal features, and urges this matter on the consideration of the Government by sending a copy of the present resolution, accompanied by a copy of Mr. L. D. Nathan's letter of 3rd March." Mr. Aickin spoke in support of his resolution, and Mr. J. McLauqhlan, in seconding it, spoke at some longth. The motion Was unanimously agreed to.

LONDON CHAMBER OF ARBITRATION.

Mr. Hall brought under the notice of the Chamber a circular from the London Chamber of Arbitration, pointing out its advantages for the settlement of commercial disputes. The Chamber was established in 1892 by the corporation of the City of Loudon with the co operation of the London Chamber of Commerce, its object being to provide facilities _ for "disputants wishing to settle their differences without recourse to litigation, and is under the management of a committee composed of. members of the corporation and the London Chamber of Commerce. It is open both to voluntary applicants and for the arbitration of cases referred by the courts of law or the judges, and its decisions have the legal force of a verdict in the high court. The Registrar, Mr, Chas. F, Monckton, requested that in laying this communication before the Auck-

laud Chamber of Commerce, members be requested to insert in their London contracts the following clause, "All disputes which may arise relating to this contract shall be submitted to' arbitration under the rules for the time beiup of the London Chamber of Arbitration." Mr. Hall explained the nature of the scheme proposed, and moved, "That this Chamber, haviug considered the circular of March, 1896, from the London Chamber of Arbitration, is of opinion that such a practical tribunal is calculated to provide an equitable, economical, and expeditious methods ot settling commercial disputes. This Chamber therefore commends to the favourable attention of its members the suggestions made in the circular that ' in all important London contracts the clause referred to be inserted* Mr. A. H. Nathan seconded the motion. He thought it one of the most important matters which had been presented to this Chamber for some time past, ss they all suffered from delays arising out of disputes between buyers and sellers, and this mode m arbitration must commend itself to every importer. . ' , . She motion was oarneu unanimously. FREIGHT LONDON TO AOOKLAND.

Mr. A. H. Nathan, in introducing this subject, said he would not.detain, the Chamber with many remarks, as his resolutions only proposed to ' refer the matter to the Council. It was, " That it be afii instruction j to theiCounoil to take into Consideration the present unsatisfactory arrangements with

regard to the shipment of cargo , from London to this port, and to take such steps' as they think desirable to ensure a more regular service." The object was to take some steps to ensure a more regular service between London and Auckland, To this subject he had given a good deal of consideration, and lie was much dissatisfied with the direct service to Auckland, which he might say was practically non-existent, and the arrangements for shipping from London to , Auckland were mere make-shifts. The manner in which it was transacted was this ; All goods for shipment to Auckland, were sent to the docks, and there they might remain for a month or so, it may be until there Was a steamer to bring them on, and so they were left entirely at the mercy of the shipping companies. It was an open secret that the three companies were bound by an agreement, which precludes concessions or easy redress of grievances. Now, practically the- mefpknts of Auckland had a cargo steamerTeaYing for Auckland about once in two months (and Mr. Nathan quoted a timetable, showing lapses of seven or eight weeks), while in Wellington, he said, they had a fortnightly service. The point he wanted to make _ was this: _ The companies would not ship by Wellington without charging extra freight, and so they bad to wait for a direct steamer. He showed bills of lading for New York transhipment of his own goods consigned to Auckland which had been detained for over a month waiting for a steamer, and the result was that by this steam service it took nearly four months for goods shipped from New York to reach here. The shipping companies trading here were all bound, but by urging this Unfairness either by the Chamber or a meeting of importers, somethiug might be done. As to export, they were not so badly circumstanced, for they were as near Sydney as Wellington, but he thought they had a just claim on the shipping companies, who contracted to ship their goods from Londonto Auckland. There should be no difficulty, but when in London he found that there was a bad feeling towards the port of Auckland, and there was a desire to concentrate in Wellington. The Tyser line was supposed to be independent, but it was not so, for they were bound to take only a minimum of freight for this colony. It could not be urged by the Shipping Companies that the trade was not paying, for both the New Zealand Shipping Company and the Shaw-Saviil Company had paid dividends; but the fact was thai even if the companies were to charge double the present rates, the importers had no appeal. They were now paying double the freights charged to Australia, and yet they could not get steamers as they required them, for tfie shippiug companies did not consult the interests of the importers at this port. Mr. M. Clark seconded the motion, 'endorsing the remarks made by Mr. Nat\an, but he did not agree with him that they were bound body and soul to the shipping comptuies trading here, for they could ship to Sydney, and he believed if they combined they could make the shipping companies fall in with a reasonable agreement.

Mr. Vaile supported the motion, and it was carried unanimously.

The second annual meeting of the New Zealand Society for the Protection of Women and Children was held on April 20 at the Young Men Christian Association. His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, Governor of the colony and President of the Society, presided. His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, Governor of the Colony, was re-elected President of the Association." Hon. W. Jennings, the Hav. R. P. Macnicol, the Hon, W. McUullough, the Rev. C. E. Ward, and the Rev. B. L. Thomas were re-elected. The Very Rev. Father Lenihan, who consented to take the place of the late Bishop Luck, the Rev. Henry Bull, who is willing to take the place of the Rev. D. McNicoll, and Staff Captain Harris, who is willing to take the place of Captain Holdaway, were elected vicepresidents, the Rev. F. Warner seconding the motion, The retiring committee were re-elected with the addition of Mr. G.

Fowlds and Captain Sparkes, of the Salvation Army, and thp hon. treasurer, Mr. R, Udy, was elected, The following hon. solicitors were re-elected -.—Messrs. Theo. Cooper, E. Mahony, F. E. Baume, LL.B., F. W. Bfookfield, U. E. Button, W. Thome, J.' St. Clair, J. W. Gittos, TjlOtu'aßjlGfesham, W. A. Carrutb, J. R. Reed, and J. W. Stewart. Mr. C. A. Jonas was elected hon. auditor, Miss L, M. Porter secretary, and Mr, H, Wilding chairman of committee.