CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 7947, 2 December 1886, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The quarterly general meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held on Friday afternoon. There were about twenty gentlemen present, and Mr W. T. L. Travers, the president, presided. The Chairman said that no notice had been given of any business, bat he would venture to call the attention o! the Chamber to two or three matters. In the first place, a deputation, as would be seen by the minutes, had been appointed to wait on the Government with reference to the completion of the Gorge railway. It was. satis* „ factory to find that it was in the contemplation of the Government to carry out this work, that the Government had only been waiting for funds from England, and that the work would now be prosecuted with all possible vigor. In connection with this, he thought it was a matter for congratulation that they were now within a few days of the completion of the Wellington-Manaw&tu railway line for passenger traffic. -Already, the amount of traffic which had taken place over the line, especially in live stock, afforded very encouraging symptoms of success to the Company in its undertaking, and had opened up a prospect both to the people-of this district and of Wanganui of a market for their stock of which they could scarcely have dreamt a little time ago, as well as affording encouraging prospects to the people of Wellington, There was one work which, fond as ho was of works involving high mechanical skill, be took shame to himself for not having visited earlier, but which he bad recently had an opportunity of inspecting, and that was the Woollen Company’s works at Petone. He thought the character and extent of this work was scarcely as yet appreciated by ihe people of Wellington, He-pointed out the advantages likely to accrue to this district from the very energetic manner in which the undertaking had been carried to a completion, and the very complete and beautiful appliances which were in use at the works—the production of articles of most general consumption, and the employment which would be given to a very large number of persons. Indeed, those who looked at Petone and saw the extent of work going on in that neighborhood would see how important a suburb of Wellington it was likely to become. He had no doubt that in the course of a few years steps would be taken to bring into use Ihe immense stores of power which would be afforded by utilising the waters of the Hnti and other rivers which were at a very short distance from that locality. Recently improvements had been effected In the supply of water by means of turbines, by which machinery coaid be driven. The work being carried out by the Woollen Company was but an indication of the advantages which would accrue to this district if once the immense stores of natural power, in the shape of water, became utilised. He had no doubt that the Directors would look into that, with a view of saving a very large amount of expenditure necessary for steam. Once such a plan was adopted, Petone would become the seat of a very large number of manufactories. It would be within the recollection of tho Chamber that a good deal of discussion had taken place with reference to the alteration in the cable rates threatened by the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company.. He thought the Colony was to be congratulated on the firm stand taken by the Government, which had brought the Company to book, and had elicited this important fact, that this Colony could, at a comparatively moderate expense, become the master of the situation by having a cable of its own. This was a matter of very great importance to the commercial interests of the Colony, and would mean tho safety of the Colony from, the aggression of which it might otherwise not have sufficient notice. It was also satisfactory to find such harmonious feelings existing between the Harbor Board and the City Connell, and that those bodies were likely to bring their negotiations to a.conclasiou which would be beneficial to the commercial portion of tho community, and when the - commercial interests were benefited, it meant a benefit to the community at large, r. The inhabitants not simply of this City, but also of the whole district, would derive large benefit from harmonious action between these - bodies. It was a matter of regret that the Harbor Board had riot been successful in inducing the Government to give it endowments which would aid it in the prosecution of the important works it was about to undertake. His own opinion was that it was wise for the Board to persevere in its efforts, and he believed the time was not far distant when *tbe commerce of this port would be so large that the Government would be bound, in the interests not only of Wellington, bat of the pablio generally, and of the commerce of a very large portion of • the Colony, to do something substantial to aid the Harbor Board in the prosecution of its efforts. ■ He thought that an expression of opinion on the part of the Chamber of Commerce should periodically be given in reference to this, because it was one of those matters which were very legitimately within its functions,-and he thought it must be patent to all those who bad an opportunity of seeing that the Board, under the advice of their engineer, were carrying out works of a class and in a manner which hod no example in other parts of the Colony, without the substantial aid which had been given to Harbor Boards elsewhere. Another matter he had to refer to was in connection with the following letter received from the Adelaide Chamber- of Commerce, calling attention to a matter in regard to the wool sales, ' which appeared to be of some importance :—" Adelaide, August 20, 1886, The Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, Wellington.—Dear Sir ; I am instructed to hand you copy of resolutions passed at a meeting of this Chamber on the 18th Inst, bearing upon tho high bids insisted on by the brokers at the London wool sales, which has been brought under its notice by tho South Australian Stock-breeders’ Association. On low-classed wools the advance of often means a rise of 12£per cent,, which appears most excessive, especially when tho naige at cotton sales is considered. Resolved, That the recommendation of the Stockbreeders* Association, that the bids at tho London wool sales ehonld be £d instead of as now, is cordially approved by the Committee. The fact of Monte Video wools being sold at bids is sufficient proof that bids are neither necessary nor adhered to f while they are especially hard upon Australian growers of low-priced wools. That the warehouse charges (of about 3s 6d per bale) appear heavy, and it is desirable that inquiries should be made with a view to their possible reduction. Theobject of this Chamber is to draw the atten ion of the other Australian Chambers to the subject, with a view to arrange * for united action*—! am, &c., H. Driffield, Secretary.** Mr Travers went on to say that he did not see present any gentlemen . who might be specially interested in _ this question, He thought it was a pity that they did not take a little more interest m the subject. It was said—he did not know whether it was true —that these gentlemen used to get their money easily. He did not think it was so easy now as it used to be, and it certainly behoved them to look Into the matter, and do what they could to increase 1 the advantage to the wool-grower as well as themselves. The export of wool from Now Zealand had reached over 89,000,0001 b; but , taking 84,000,0001 b as the amount,'** bid" of 4d, supposing it to be extended throughout

the whole of the New Zealand wools classed for sale, would mean £175,000. That of coarse was taking an exaggerated view of the matter. It might operate both ways, but ho thought the competition would be too keen to prevent it operating against the sellers. It seemed desirable, he thought, that there should be no hard and fast rule as to no bids being less than £d, A lower bid might mean an enormous advance on the exports of the Colony. Mr J. C. Harris would like to observe, on the matter of the wool bids, that although there were no wool-growers present, this was u question which affected all, and that not remotely or indirectly. If the bid meant £175,000, extra obtained would mean £40,000 or £50,000, and that would bo an amount exceedingly welcome to this Colony. Ho thought the Chamber might well pass a resolution cordially endorsing the action of other Chambers with a view of getting the bids reduced. The people of-New Zealand, so to speak, were living on wool—wool and mutton—and the price of these commodities was a question of paramount importance to them. He moved, That this Chamber cordially endorses the view expressed by the South Australian Stockbreeders* Asaociatio •, as communicated by the Adelaide Chamber, and will be prepared, to support any action that may be taken to reduce the bids on wool to Jth of a penny or a farthing. Mr A. A. Barnett seconded the motion, which he said was so reasonable and carried so much evidence with it that it was only just that the Chamber should support it. He agreed with the Chairman's view of the matter. The resolution, being put, was carried

unanimously. Mr John Plimmer moved, “That this -****- Chamber learns with regret that the deputation from the Harbor Board to the Government re endowments was unsuccessful in its endeavor to secure the sections of land which the Board had a right to expect, in terms of tho letter addressed by Sir J ulins Vogel to the Chamber of Commerce on the Bth of August, 1885.” Mr Plimmer pointed out that the Premier had advised that when Sir Julius Vogel returned to Wellington, a deputation should wait upon him, and take this letter with them. (Laughter.) Ho (Mr Plimmer) had very great pleasure in moving this resolution. Mr T. K. Macdonald, in seconding the motion, said it seemed very peculiar that a Government thould bo in the position that the Colonial Treasurer should write a letter a year ago making a distinct statement of fact, and agreeing to perform a certain act when called upon to do so, and then for the Harbor Board to find that the Premier should absolutely refuse to carry out the expressed intentions of his colleague. Ho thought the Board deserved a very great amount of credit, not only at tho handsof the Chamber, but from the people of Wellington, for theaotion they had taken on tho whole question of endowments. They had for a very long time past—some years—endeavored to obtain justice at the hands of successive Governments ; but it did not seem to matter very much whether Major Atkinson' or Sir Robert Stout was in power, so far as the City of Wellington was concerned. Neither party seemed at all prepared to, understand that the harbor of of Wellington was a colonial matter, and that certainly tho members of tho Board charged with the administration of its affairs, could not carry out their functions if they were not provided with the necessary funds. The whole of the Premier’s answer to the deputation was based upon tho smallest local considerations—he could not conceive how a man in the Premier’s position could look at matters from such a purely local standpoint. If there was anything in the work at all it was a Government work, and the mere fact of a Government having appointed half a dozen gentlemen to carry out a Governmental function did not, in his opinion, relieve the Government from. the plain faot of the duty being oast upon them of finding the funds necessary to carry out the duties. He-did hope that our represents, tives in Parliament would suppor t that view. The Government was always complaining, he believed, of the want of political support is Wellington. That might be true ; and if one ware to believe that support should be given because of a feeling that justice was being done to tho city and district—that fair play was beiog given to the constituencies tho argument could bo understood. _ But when they knew that in Wellington they got very little indeed—when they knew they could not get the moat ordinary fair play and justice, no Administration could expect support. In the face of a general election taking place shortly, the sooner the Government understood i that unless they wore prepared to do justice they could not expect support, tho better for them. The people of Wellington wonld have been prepared some years ago to meet the advent of the present Government with satisfaction in the hope that a now loaf was to bo turned over ; but it was tho same old state of affairs—purely looa considerations prevented the Government from recognising what.many of them had stated to be absolute rights and demands. The resolution was carried, and it was decided that a copy of it should bo forwarded to the Government. Mr Harcourt moved, “Thatthis Chamber desires to place on record an expression of its satisfaction at finding that there is every probability of an early settlement of the long vexed question between the City Council and the Harbor Board respecting the faoeline of the Te Aro reclamation, as it is of opinion that the works proposed to be carried oat on the foreshore will greatly facilitate and improve the trade of the port. ’ This was seconded by Mr R. Gardner and ° a jj r T. K. Macdonald moved, “That the Secretary prepare, during the ensuing month, a return showing the total fire losses by the insurance companies in New Zealand during the last six years, specifying (1) the amount lost eaoh year in Wellington, Dunedin, Auckland, and Christchurch ; (2) the insurance tariff rates in existence in Wellington, Dunedin, Christchurch, and Auckland.” A great feeling was expressed, he said, that the rates in Wellington were higher than those in any other part of tho Colony, and that Wellington; with its comparatively small number of fires, was largely supporting the insurance, companies and getting no adequate recognition. That might be so, or it might not; at any rate, it was quite time that the commercial public should have before them soma definite data oa the matter. He had no doubt tho companies would be prepared to make fair and reasonable concessions if they were shown to be fair, and i x reasonable. A. great deal of the informstion required could be obtained from the Insurance Banking Record. Mr Plimmer seconded the motion.

Mr Haroonrt would ba very glad indeed to support the resolution if he thought any good would come out of it. He pointed out that the Secretary would have trouble in fixing the boundaries of the cities mentioned. The information from the Banking and Insurance Kecord would be of no value. The amount of losses was no evidence of the profit made that bore upon the revenue. The companies no doubt had got the information; but ware, they (the companies) going to prepare rods for their own backs ? (Mr Macdonald : Is it a rod ?) Ho thought they were putting a lot of work on to the Secretary, out of which no possible good could come. The rates might bo lower m Wellington; but he believed, they were lower fn Wellington than in Canterbury, though in Dunedin rates had been quoted, he believed, lower than in London. But afte- all the matter of insurance was merely a matter of value received. ' Mr Dransfield supported the resolution, remarking that the information would be very valuable. Mr Harcourt said it would be absolutely of no value unless the revenue derived was S **Mr Macdonald had no objection to the secretary asking the companies for a memo of thejr revenues. (Laughter.) ■ Mr Harris said this was an age of statistics and nothing but good ever resulted from statistics. This return was likely to be a very valuable one, and for that reason alone, apart from individual considerations regarding the companies, he supported the motion. It was only right that they should have as much information as possible about matters which affected them so nearly as that of insurance. ‘ , , ~ Mr Duthie suggested that the return should also show the coastal trade rates. At present the rates were exorbitant, and the result was that in most cases goods were not insured It- cost 10s here to insure for a night’s passage, which coat 2s 6d in London. * 4lr Macdonald adopted this suggestion, which was embodied in the resolution. Mr Barnett pointed out that these returns wore all in the hands of underwriters’ associations. He asked, therefore. the object of an infliction on the Secretary of preparing a large return like this. The return would mean a very large amount of labor, and it; was doubtful whether it would serve the desired purpose. _ . Mr K._Gardner was of, opinion that it Wellington was suffering Irom such rates as it was said to be—if it was a sort of pocket out of which insurance companies could

recoup themselves for losses—better competition would be obtained. The matter of rates on freight from England wm also one which should be attended to. Mr Macdonald, replying, pointed ont that returns were very seldom asked for. He had not raised any debatable matter, prefer, ing to wait until the return showed the position they should take up—gave them the information upon which to act. If any extra expense was involved he would pay it. The Chairman remarked that the rates had recently been lowered 10 per cent, on account of the Wainui water supply. The motion was carried, and the meeting terminated.