WAR AND COMMERCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 1514, 9 November 1912, Page 8

WAR AND COMMERCE.

POSITION OF AUCKLAND FIRMS. As In) of the Balkans war was heard at a meeting of the council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce yesterday when a letter was read from Messrs. John Court, Ltd., stating- thnft it, would be very much to the firm's interest and to the interest of every member of the Chamber to be as soon as possible put in possession of accurate information as to the effect the war would have upon commercial relations. "For instance," said the letter, " in the event of our country being at, war, what likelihood is there of an Act of Parliament being passed to suspend the maturing of bills and the accruing of interest? Also in what way would importers ol' English and Continental goods probably be affected? It is hardly necessary to point out that the information, is wanted now, nob after an outbreak, so that your members may bo able to instruct their Jnglish agents as to their procedure in ciiso of war.'" The chairman said that, whether the Government passed any measure or not there could be suspension of payment of interest-. Members expressed the opinion that the matter was not one for the Chamber to give an expression of opinion on, as it 1 was a legal matter, and 0110 for* individual arrangement between seller and buyer. It was decided to reply that the Chamber considered that the matter was outside its province.