CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12241, 9 April 1903, Page 6

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

A meeting of the council ot the Auckland Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon. Mr. B. Kent (president of the Chamber) presided, and there were also present: Messrs. A. H. Nathan, S. Vaile, J. H. Upton, Geo. Fowlds, M.H.R., W. B. Leyland, W. J. W. Philson, G. Aickin, John Reid, M. Clark, and A. B. Eoberton. . ,?;jfi Trade with British Columbia: A letter was read from Messrs. R "W. Clark and' Co., Victoria (8.C.), in reference to the. question • of opening up a trade, particularly in frozen ;: meat, with British Columbia. It was decided to refer the letter to the local companies interested in the trade. * '.•.."•: Farmers' Union : A letter from, the Kaipara Branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union conveyed a resolution affirming the desirability of the branch being represented on the' council by two or more representative farmers. It was pointed out that any farmers who desired to bo members of the council could do so by becoming members of the Chamber. .The Cable Companies: The Melbourne Chamber of Commerce forwarded a cony of the resolution lately passed by that Chamber' protesting against a ten years' agreement, with a possibility of a two years' extension, being entered into by the Federal Government with the Eastern Extension Cable Company. Mr. Nathan said that as. a result of competition the cable charges were lower now than they had ever been before, and it did not appear to bo a business-like step to enter into an agreement with one company for a term of ten years. Mr. Fowlds said that Sir E. .barton had distinctly stated that in entering into a ten years agreement the Federal Government wero getting rid of what was practically an agreement for all time. If this ' were so, the proposed arrangement might be a wise step but in New Zealand the Pacific cable was looked upon as a wise step, and it was not likely that the New Zealand Government would enter into any such agreement as that referred to. The question was referred to the Finance Committee to deal with " JNiue Island : The Collector of Customs (Mr. A. Rose) notified that he had received the following notification:— "That all amounts due for drawback on goods shinped to Niue, and on which duty has been charged in Niue, will be provided for on the Estimates for the ensuing financial year." The Chamber was asked to make the fact known to merchants and exporters. •' The Colonial Conference: The President said so few Chambers had as yet forwarded an intimation of their intentions in regard to' the colonial conference (which was fixed to open in Auckland on the 28th inst.), that it was probable that it would have to be postponed. *