CHAMBER OF COMMENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11954, 1 May 1902, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMENCE.

A meeting of the council of the Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday. Mr. J. H. Upton, president of the Chamber, presided, and there were also present: Messrs. B. Kent, A. PI. Nathan, G. Aickin, W. J. W. Philson, 8. Voile, W. (liaison, A. B. Roberton, C. Seegner, and Jno. Reid. Daily Mail Service: Letters were read from the Union Steamship Company and the Northern Steamship Company with regard 10 the cessation of the. daily steam service between Onehunga and New Plymouth. Both companies stated that the trade fell off very much after March, and that to continue the daily service would only be attended with loss to the companies. It had therefore been decided to run the. service four days a week until December next, unlets something unforeseen occurred. The letters were received. Penny Post: A letter was read from Sir Joseph Ward intimating that the Federal Government had agreed to accept letters sent to Australia from New Zealand at the penny rate. A reply sent by the president to Sir Joseph Ward was also read as follows: — "Tender hearty congratulations on admission of penny postage letters by Commonwealth." Chamber of Commerce Building: Mr. Kent intimated that in the course of a, few days he hoped to be able to lay complete plans of the proposed building for the Chamber of Commerce before a meeting of the council. Trade and Population of the Empire: Mr. Vaile read the following resolutions which he, intends submitting at the next, conference of Chambers:—"That in the opinion of this, congress it would promote Imperial interests if the statistical records of the United Kingdom and British colonies and dependencies wero all brought, out at the same date each year, so that a comprehensive review of the social and commercial position of our Empire could ho at. once obtained: also (a) that in (he opinion of this congress it. is most desirable that the overflow of the population of the United Kingdom should be directed to the British colonies and dependencies; (b) that, to give effect to this proposition it is desirable that on certain conditions to be ( agreed upon, the British Government and the. colonies should unite in paying steerage rates of passengers to all' desirable immigrants; (c) as a further inducement .the colonial Governments should issue free grant-: of land lo acceptable immigrants." Air. Vaile stated that in. 1.899 a total of 146,362 people of British birth left the United Kingdom, of whom 16,410 went to Canada and 'Newfoundland, 11,467 to Australia and New Zealand, and 92,482 to America. It was agreed that copies of Mr. Vaile's resolutions should be furnished to members of the council for consideration.