CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20496, 22 February 1930, Page 15

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

i WORK OF PAST YEAR,

WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES.

TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA-

"The increasing asperity manifest in the trade relations between New Zealand and Australia has caused considerable concern to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce during the past year," states the annual report of the council of the chamber, to be presented at the annual meetinn next Thursday. " A remit on the sub'ect, proposed by the Auckland chamber, was carried at the Associated Chambers of Commerce conference in October, this action giving rise to considerable discussion both in Australia and New Zealand. It is gratifying to note the appointment by the New Zealand Government of a trade representative in Australia. The chamber has also continued its efforts to secure adequate trade representation of New Zealand in Canada and these have at last been crowned with success by the appointment of Mr. J. W. Collins."

Among other matters in which the chamber was successful during the year yas the retention of Auckland as a port of call in the itinerary of the Maui Pomare, which is engaged in the Islands trade. Referring to its inability to place Norfolk Island in the vessel's itinerary, the council says it is understood that the possibility of this trade being exploited bv private enterprise is being investigated and hopes are expressed that the good business built up will not be allowed to lapse. Mail Services Improved.

'A noticeable improvement in the overseas mail services had followed the steps taken by the chamber to ensure that thb London postal authorities in all instances despatched mail for New Zealand not by the first, outgoing vessel, but by the vessel v.-hich was timed to arrive first in New Zealand waters. Satisfaction was also expressed that the Railway Department had abandoned its proposal to run the ordinarv Wellington-Auckland express six hours later than at present, as the delay in the arrival of mail would greatly inconvenience the business community. A protest was lodged against the doubling of the primage duty and it was gratifving to know that that extra duty on certain commodities, such as fertilisers and foodstuffs. was to be removed as from March 31. The desirability of reducing the/ high rate of taxation on land transfers had also been the subject of representation, but so far without success. It was disappointing that successive Governments seemed disinclined to take the step of jreviejvtng both land and income tax •with a view to making a general reduction and making an effort to curtail expenditure. Instead of a reduction of taxation'there had been an increase. Action taken by the chamber was responsible for the reduction by the City Council of the number of street collection days to sis a year. In conjunction with other chambers, the Auckland chamber had made representation to the proper authorities with regard to a more uniiorm observance of holidays on election days. The auestion of bank holidays had been under constant surveillance and a certain amount of improvement had been effected. Unfortunately, however, success had not attended the efforts to have the saint 3' davs removed from the list of holidays observed by the banks, but it was hoped that eventually the associated oanks would vield to the strong pressure of commercial ocinion and reduce their nolidays to those commonly observed by the mercantile community, who were their chief customers. Adjustment of Sank Kates. Close attention had been paid to the qnestioij of the bank rate and as far as possible 'it would be the policy of the chamber to secure adjustment of these rares in accordance with changing conditions more promptly than.had been the

case in the past. ' The question of improved roads in the 'Auckland provincial district had been kept steadily in view and from time to time representations had been made to the authorities in respect of the desirability of providing all-wc-ather communications between Auckland and the northern peninsula, this work being long overdue. One feature of the reading situation which impressed itself on members of the commerce train party was the need of improving the secondary roads in the n'orth and relieving the heavy burden borne by many of the main roads. Suitable action had been taken in the direction of securing proper provision for the extension of High Street northward to Quay Street through the old railway . site when opportunity offered. It was ' honed that during the coming year a definite announcement in conformity with i the traffic requirements of the city would ' fce made and the work undertaken.