CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 6845, 30 March 1883, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ANNUAL MEETING.

Tho annual meeting nf tho Well-ngton Chamber of Commerce Was held yo-terd.iy afternoon. Present —Messrs J. ft. Ge -:e (in tho chair), J. S. Allan Gordon .Mian, Botlmne, A, Balter, Collins, Carroll, Doth e, Dunn, Deacon, J. 0. Harris, Harcourt, Krnll, J. Kirton, W. H. Levin, M.H.U.; T. K. Mnrtlonald, .f. K. Nathan, Dr. Newman, McTuviah, D. T. Stuart, Stevenson, Tolhurst, and Thompson. ANNUAL REPORT. Tho following report was taken as read ; The term of office for which they were elected having come to a close, it becomes the duty of your committee to lay before you a report of the proceedings of tho chamber for tho past year, and of tho subjects that have been brought under their consideration. The matters that were more especially commended to the attention of your committee by their predecessors in office were bankruptcy law, now Postal and Telegraph Offices, the decimal system, and Supreme Court procedure, and your committee are pleased to be able to report that the labors of the chamber have, in reference to some of these questions, met with a certain degree of success. BANKRUPTCY LAW. For several years past the earnest efforts of this chamber have been directed towards an amendment of the law relating to bankruptcy, tho necessity for which lias been so strongly felt by all engaged in commerce. Your committee on their appointment lost no time in moving in tho matter. Other chambers were communicated with, and early in .Tune last a suggestion was made by the Canterbury Chamber that a special conference on this subject should bo held in Wellington of delegates from as many New Zealand Chambers of Commerce as would tske part in such conference. Tho suggestion was promptly carried into effect, and tho delegates met in -11130, when representatives of tho Chambers of Auckland, Napier, Wellington, Canterbury, Timaru, and Dunedin came together. Your committee cannot but regard this meeting as an event of some interest, as it is the first occasion on which tho Chambers of Commerce of the colony have come together by their representatives to confer together on any question. 'I here can be no doubt that such conferences might, from time to lime, bo held with a moat beoelicial result to the interests of commerce.

The labors of the conference resulted k a very lull and able report, which was forwarded to the Government, and subsequently laid before a Special Oomraitt.ee of the House appointed to consider aud report on the subject. The report of this committee included a large proportion of the suggestions of the conference, which were afterwards embodied in a Bill prepared by the Government. This was, however, too late to receive consideration during the last session of Parliament. ft is understood to be the intention of the Government to introduce this measure very early iu the approaching session, and a special report of your committee on tho provisions of the Bill will be submitted to you, tho Government having circulated copies of the Bdl, and invited further suggestions thereon, BILLS OF BALB. In connection with the recommendations of tho delegates of the Chambers of Commerce on tho subject of bankruptcy, a suggestion was made ia favor of the introduction into this colony of a law relating to bills of sale similar to that in force iu Victoria. Your committee regrets that tho suggestion has not beeu adopted, and commends tho matter to the consideration of the committee about to be elected. NEW POSTAL AND TELEGRAM OFFICES, Tho representations of this chamber as to the need of increased accommodation for the Postal and Telegraph Departments have at lust received attention at the hands of the Government, and substantial aud extensive premises for these purposes, which promise to bo a credit to the city aud colony, are now in course of ereciion. CUSTOMHOUSE, Your committee has also brought under the notice of tho Government the necessity for improved accommodation for the Customhouse, and has received an intimation that it ia pro poued to make additions and alterations to the old Provincial Government Buildings with tne view of providing suitable accommodation for this department. SUPREME COURT PROCEDURE. An Act for the reform of the procedure of the Supreme Court was passed during the last session of Parliament, and came into force at tho commencement of the current year. It ia understood to provide for a much more speedy and economical administration of the law than that afforded by the system formerly in vogue, and your committee trusts that it will be found in practice to meet the wishes of the community in this direction. DECIMAL SYSTEM. No further action in this matter has been taken, Tho committo regrets that the Government did not think it advisable to adopt the suggestion of tho chamber with a view to facilitate the introduction, at a future date, of a decimal system of weights and measures. The suggestions made by tho chamber were moderate and simple, and there can be no doubt that every year's delay will increase the difficulties that will attend any such changes. Your committee considers the subject worthy of the continued attention of the Chamber, and commends it to the consideration of the committee about to he elected, WBLLINGTON-MANAWATU RAILWAY. Soon after the last annual meeting of this chamber, the contract between the Government and the Wellington and Mnnawatu Hallway Company was definitely settled and executed, aud the Company has since been prosecuting the construction of the lino with commendable vigor, Tho most difficult and important parts of the work have already been let, including several tunnels at Kaiwarra, tho reclamation in Wellington Harbor, and tho bridge over the Mauawatu Kiver ; in addition to which a considerable extent of line has been surveyed aud located, for which tenders will shortly be called. As a large proportion ol tho unlet part of tho line runs through country presenting little or no engineering difficulties, it is confidently anticipated that the whole will be completed well within the time stipulated in the contract with the Government, Your committee congratulates the chamber upon the p; ogress of this most important work, NORTH ISLAND RAILWAYS. The chamber took occasion to urge upon the Government the construction of a length of railway between Manutabi and Hawera which was of very great importance to tho commercial interests of Wellington, as bringing this city into closer communication with Mew Plymouth and tho adjacent districts. A vote for this work was put upon the estimates last session, but up to date no real progress has beeu made. The delay in this matter has been produtive of considerable loss to the mercantile community of Wellington. Your committee trusts that such pressure will be brought upon the Government that the contracts may bo put in baud forthwith and actual progress made with this important section of tho railway system. On the Wellington and N ipier lino a live-mile section has beeu let by contract between Masterton and Opaki ; and from tho Napier side the line is opened to Makotuku—an extension of about five miles in four years. Southward of Makotuku a farther length of nine miles has been located. This rate of construction of two of the main lines of railway in the colony is a standing reproach dike both to Ministry and Parliament, and inflicts a daily loss on the settlers of the respective districts, greatly interfering with tho settlement of the country and the development of its natural products. Another vote most important to the interests of this city and the North Island generally, as well as of the entire colony, was passed during the last session, namely, that authorising the raising of a special loan of one million for the construction of the northern portion of the main trunk lino from Auckland south to Wellington. Your committee trusts that this work, so essential to the opening up aud settlement of tho valuable lands of the North Island, and the prosperity of the principal commercial centres will be proceeded with at no distant date. DIRECT STEAM SERVICE. Your committee has to congratulate the chamber on the actual commencement of a direct steam service, between this colony and the United Kingdom, through the enterprise of the New Zealand Shipping Company. The Government has invited tendeis for a direct steam service, for which a subsidy of .£20,000 per annum is offered under authority of a vote of the last session of Parliament. The establishment of such a service will, no doubt, be of incalculable benefit to the especially in connection with the introduction of immigrants, and with the new and promising trade in tb>; export of frozen meat in dairy produce, PARCEL rose AND REPLY POST-CARD. Your committee has brought before tho Government the question of the establishment of a parcel post between this colony and other countries, and also of the extension of facilities for the transmission of parcels by post within the colony. In reply, the Government explained that the establishment of a parcel post with other countries does not depend upon tbeGovernment alone, and expresses a hope that the eyatim now being introduced into the

British Post Office will lead to its being adopted for the United Kingdom and its dependencies generally. In reference to the question of the transmission of parcels by I) -at within this colony, the Government stated that there lias been a very decide ! ext-union of facilities in this respect within the last two years. Yonr committee is glad to announce 111, it it is tlie intention of the Cover.,m-nt to introduce the system of reply postal-cards into tills colony. POSTAL UNION. No further action has been taken in this matter, hut it is one well worthy o' being kept iu view by the committee about to be elected. UOENSIHtt LAWS. Attention has been drawn by the chamber to the evils arising from the pre j ent ad uiois(ration of the licensing law generally, and more especially as to the power placed iu the hands of local constables iu country districts. The oolicy of creating a large number of licensing committees has not been a success, and many other provisions of the Act are open to objection. HITE FOR CENTRAL PRISON. Exception has been taken to the appropriation of Mount Cook Keserve as the site for a new central prison. The question was brought under the attention of the Government, but the wink in connection with the matter had proceeded ton far to permit of tho plans of the Government being altered. TELEPHONE EXCHANGE. Your committee congratulates the chamber on the introduction of a telephone exchange into Wellington. It has been established in consequence of action taken by the committee, and has already secured a fair amount of support. Your commit!ee, however, is of opinion that tho charge of £l7 10s for the first year and £l2 for subsequent years is excessive, and should bo reduced. AMERICAN WOOL DUTIES. At the date of the last aunual report it was in doubt what would be the result of the representations of Sir Henry Parkes to the United States Government on tho subject of the duty on the import vtion of wool into America. Those representations were not productive of any alteration, but members will have observed that telegraphic advices report that a reduction equd to about 18 per cent, has just been pissed by the United State Congress on the import duty on wool. NEW CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

Your Committee would notice as a tact of interest the establishment of a Chamber of Commerce in the City of London. It has often been a matter of comment that the foremost commercial city of the world was without a Chamber of Commerce, and the tardy inauguration of such an institution may he taken as an indication of the growing appreciation of the uaefu ness of such bodies. In connection with the Loudon Chamber a monthly Journal of Commerce is issued, which contains a summary of proceedings of the various Chambers of Oommerco, and should bo of great interest to msmners of colonial chambers. The committee is also glad to record the establishment of a Chamber of Commerce at Napier. PERMANENT ACCOMMODATION AND THE INCORPORATION OF THE CHAMBER. It has been felt that tho time has arrived when this chamber should consider the expediency of securing more permanent aud suitable accommodation, and as a preliminary step to this object it is necessary that the chamber should become an incorporated body, SHAREBROKERS' EXCHANGE. Immediately after the last annual meeting the use r.f the chamber was granted to the Sharebrokers’ Association for the purpose of bolding daily meetings of the character of a sharebrokers’ exchange. The room has been utilised iu this way now for a twelvemonth, and daily lists of share quotations are posted in the chamber for the information of members. DRY DOCK. Some agitation has taken place on this subject, but the committee has, so far, taken no action, N . 7,. TIMBER. The Imperial Government recently invited tenders iu New Zealand for the supply of salt meat for tho British Navy, hut imposed a condition that the meat must be packed in casks made of English oak. This being a difficulty your committee has requested the Goverment to bring under tho notice of the Imperial authorities the suitability of certain New Zealand timbers fur the purpose iu question. TRIBUNALS OF COMMERCE, Orders have been sent Home for a work which has been recommended as containing information on this subject. Your committee trust that on receipt of such information the matter will again be brought forward, SAILORS’ HOME. No steps have yet been taken towards the establishment of a Sailors* Home for this port. Your committee urges that this question be dealt with at an early date. MEAT EXPORT TRADE. You committee is glad to be able to place on record the despatch of tho first cargo of frozen meat from this port, the Lady Jocelyn having sailed on the 22nd February with (5424 carcases of mutton and 352 quarters of beef, tn tinned meats a large export trade is established from various local works. The success of this trade appears now to be assured, and will undoubtedly exercise a most beneficial influence upon the prosperity of the whole colony. LOCAL INDUSTRIES. Your committee is glad to be able to notice under this heading the establishment of clothing factories in this city, and trusts that this may prove to ha the commencement of an extensive industry. It is understood that the only difficulty at present is that of procuring a sufficient number of bands for the work. CHRISTCHURCH EXHIBITION. In the early part of the past year an International Exhibition was held at Christchurch, at which a very creditable display was made of colonial products. STATE OF TRADE. The usual statistics of imports, exports, and Customs revenue for the colony are attached to this report. These all show a substantial increase. To a certain extent this was to be expected, and would be a subject of congratulation, but is evident that in the matter of imports theincreaseis agreatdeul beyond a legitimate aud healthy growth. 'Jomtnercxal reports from all the Australasian centres tell the same tale of glutted markets and unremunerative prices, while the banking returns show an unprecedented inflation in the advances of the banks. It ia to be hoped that a reduction in this excessive scale of importation will take place before long, and lead to a more healthy and satisfactory state of business. The abundant harvest and good clip of wool will, however, no doubt have a speedy effect in restoring a satisfactory balance of trade. MEMBERS. During the past year eleven members have resigned, seven of whom did so account of leaving Wellington. Eight new members have been elected. FINANCES. Appended to the report was the financial statement, which showed total receipts for the year £313 3s 9d, including £IBO from subscriptions, and the total expenditure left a credit balance of £BO for the year. chairman’s statement. Mr George then referred to the in tho report seriatim, his speech containing various statistical returns, carefully prepared, showing the fluctuations of commerce in the colonies and the Home country. Referring to bankruptcy law amendment, he said : The subject of the Bankruptcy Bill has been somewhat forcibly brought before the public in the last few days by the proceedings in a Welling, ton bankruptcy, and it is desirable that the facts which were then brought out should be met by provisions in the new Bill. Such proceedings as have been taken by bankrupts lately in endeavoring to get quit of their liabilities are certainly scandalous, especially one notable case, in which a gentleman who had been prominently before the public should be enabled to get a whitewashing without difficulty. When such an example ia set by a gentleman who has held a high position, what can we expect from smaller and less known members of the community in a matter of this kind ? Mr George next referred to the banking pressure, tracing it to excessive imports and increasing demands for financial accommodation in the colonies. This pressure would be relieved by the floating of the New Zealand and Victorian loans. He referred to the failure of the new system of electing licensing committees, and said the temperance advocates should rather strive to raise the status of the licensed victualling class as the best check on drunkenness. He commented sarcastically on the recent auction sale by Government of the illicit whiskey seized near Palmerston, pointing out that it was sold minus the duty which an importer would have to pay in ordinary trade, the honest importers being thereby handicapped unfairly. Having touched on other subjects in the above report, he moved its adoption, together with the financial statement. Mr Baker seconded. DRY DOCK AND PATENT SLIP. Mr Thompson understood the chairman to say the patent slip had been adequate for all purposes up to the present, and asked whether it is true that the Wakatipu steamer could not be taken on the slip for repairs after an accident some time ago. The Chairman : It is entirely untrue that application was ever made'for the Wakatipu to ha taken on the slip, but tho slip could have taken it up if application bad been made.

There is not the slightest foundation for that report. In urging the necessity for a dry dock, to accommodate the larger class of steamers now trading directly between England and Wellington, ! said the patent slip has been sufficient for the smaller class of ships hitherto using this por e Dr. Newrn in asked whether the charges for using the Patent Slip -re not-excessive. Chairman ; I am not prepared to go into that. Mr Dut’-iie : You said the cost of a dry dock would be about £140,000. Do you speak from special information, or guess-work? Chairman : It is only so far guess-work that I have compared what it would cost here with what such docks have cost iu other places. Mr Macdonald ; On the subject of the dock, the report is very vogue, and I should like to have the views ct the Harbor Hoar-1

from the representative present. Mr Nathan had not c-une prepared to ex press the unanimous voice of the Harbor Board, but he reminded members that hef ire a man builds a house, he must have the wherewithal to do it. (Voice; “ Not always.”) At present the Harbor Boarl have no money to speud, but an appeal has be-m made to the Government, and if only the unreclaimed foreshore of the harbor were given as an endowment, the hoard would be in a better position for constructing the p opo-e-l duck, and this chamber might then urge such a work. RAILWAY PROGRESS AND TRADE DIVERSION. Mr Macdonald said the reference made to railway construction for connecting Wellington with the Waimate Plains should ensure the serious attention of every mercantile rain in Wellington. Thestreamof trade which till lutely existed between Wellington and the Patea district northward has been largely diverted to Auckland, in consequence of the failure to complete tho short gap of railway between Waverlry and Hawera, and the greater facility of shipping goods into the Waitara Kiver and ruling them to Hawera and the Waima'e Plains. They had been very Jax in not urging on thier representatives, and on the Government the necessity of completing that short break in the railway syst. m, so important to tho connecting of Wellington with that dis triot. Some special resolution on that, subject should be passed at that meeting, for it was disgraceful that, after having a run of trade in that district, they should see it diverted to another commerci d centre, owing to the apathy of Wellington. S-une men talk as if politics and business have no connection with each other, forgetting that they run on parallel lines in this community. The remark iu reference to the Napier line, th it five miles has been the only length made in four years, is a startling commentary on the neglect of Wellington interests ; and lie hoped that one of their local members then present would give his views on that point. The chairman had told them thu Patent Slip is enough for all requirements of that kind.

Chairman : I did not say so. Mr Macdonald was glad to hear that, for there is a general impression that tho time has gone by for the patent slip to serve all purposes of docking, and that the hour has arrived when this city should make a proper effort to get a dry dock, (dear, hear.) They were told that the Harbor Board must fir-t get the funds, and then think about a dock. He differed from that view ; for he maintained that the Board should first resolve that the dock is necessary, and then set about getting funds to construct it. Auckland is entering on the largest dock in the colony, but if anv port in New Zealand needs the I irgest dock, that port ia Wellington, as the distributing centre of the colony. They should look ahead. What has made Melbourne, what has made Dunedin, but the policy of looking ahead ard providing for increasing necessities 1 If Wellington is to be the city and port which it ought to be from its geographical situation, its leading citizma must drop this nambypamby way of dealing with urgent questions, and must seek by combination in Parliament to obtain what it is ern itled to. He urged that the members of Wellington and of the extensive district which looks to Wellington as the natural distributing centre, should combine their influence in Parliament to get what is wanted. The question of harbor endowments for Wellington is not a local question merely, hut is eisinitially colonial, for Wellington is a colonial port if it is anything. Mr Levin, said Mr Macdonald had cast a stigma on the representatives of the whole Wellington district in reference to railways, which those members do not deserve. He would remind them of the proportion of the loan which was secured last session for the Wellington district, and of the extensive country which the works therein provide for will open up. Indeed, for the first time in their parliamentary history, the members of the whole province were for once alraostunanlmous as to what they wanted, aud this resulted in securing what they desired. There can be no question that the connecting of this city with the Waimate Plains ia all-important for Wellington commerce. Within the last few days, tenders have been invited for the heaviest portion of the unfinished link, and he also understood that tenders for the remaining portion will be invited as soon as the surveys are completed. He had continuously urged on Government the importance of completing that railway link, and he fully believed that before this time next year the line will bo as near completion as possible. As to a dry dock for Wellington, nobody can deny its impor-

tanee, and if this chamber passed a resolution urging ita early construction, there should be a determination on the part of all interested in public affairs to bury the hatchet as far as little feelings may be concerned, and to avoid putting blame on any one person for not getting this or that. A FREE PORT. Mr Levin, M.H.R., also said ; One thing of all others that we have to do is to endeavor to make Wellington a free port. We see the difficulties in which other Harbor Boards are placed by extravagant expenditure, and while they are adding to the charges on imports and exports, our aim should be to reduce charges so that we may attract more and more freights to this port for distribution in the colony and more exports for sending Home. If the chamber agree with me in that, I think they will support the Harbor Board in not ba-)tily undertaking an obligation which may involve the whole commerce of the port in serious burdens. Dr. Newman denied that the trade of the Waimate Plains has been going to Auckland, as he learnt from a recent visit to Hatvera. The merchants of Wellington have, on the contrary, been extending orders enormously in all directions. The cry for a free port to induce increase of shipping is infinitely preferable to making a graving dock at large expense and with heavy indebtedness, and he agreed with Mr Levin that the dock should wait. Mr Levin, M.H.R. : You misunderstood me. I enfrely approve of the graving dock. I say it must not be undertaken at the peril of adding charges on imports and exports. Mr Duthie entirely disagreed with Dr Newman as to the trade of the Waimate Plains, for he knew, as a fact, that two-thirds of the trade from Hawera northward is being done from Auckland. That trade has very largely left Wellington, and none of the increased trade arising from new population has come this way. There has not been energetic action to coerce the Government to complete that railway. It had been pushed on through bush country behind Mount Egmont, instead of through settled country where it was first wanted. There has been similar neglect on the Napier side. Mr Levin, M.H.R.: They have let a contract now. Mr Duthie : Yea. Governments usually let little contracts just before Parliament meets. As to a dry Jock, to talk of waiting for endowments is almost the same as shelving the question. The Harbor Board has at present an excess of £4BOO in the year’s balance, and with an increase of trade and some readjustment of charges, I don’t think the construction of a dock would crush them. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. DRY DOCK. A formal motion was then agreed to, on the motion of Mr Macdonald, seconded by Mr Duthie, “ That, in the opinion of the members of this chamber, the time has arrived when the necessities of this port demand the building of a dry dock.” BANKRUPTCY AMENDMENT. _ A lengthy report of a sub committee, recommending alterations in the bankruptcy law, was also adopted. This report will appear in a future issue. ELECTION OP OFFICERS. The following officers were then elected for the ensuing year:—J. B. Harcourt to be chairman, and A. J. MoTavish to be deputychairman, these appointments being made unanimously. Committee for the ensuing year (elected by ballot) :—A. S. Allan, A. Baker, J. H. Betbune, J. Duthie. J. R. George, H. Gully, W. H. Levin (M.H.R.), T. K. Macdonald, D. J. Nathan, Dr. Newman, E. Pearce, H. Rose, D. T. Stuart, and G. E. Tolhurst—fifteen in all. Two new members were elected to the chamber, namely, J. Wallace and J. 0. Edwards. WHARFAGE CHARGES. Discussion ensued on tho policy of reducing these charges. (This portion of our report is held over for want of space). The chamber adjourned at{s o’clock.