CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8523, 1 November 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The quarterly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held on Wednesday. Mr J. H. Cock, president, occupied the chair.

THE CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS.

The Chairman, in opening the meeting, said that the present was not an occasion which called for a formal address from the President, but he felt that he could not allow the opportunity to pass without a word of congratulation on the generally improved condition and prospect of the Colony. That there was an improvement could not, he thought, be doubted, rand it was an improvement which happily was not local nor due to speculation, _ but colonial, and due to increased earnings. The well-being of the Colony depended mainly on four exports, and these were not only finding their way to very much improved markets, but, what was more encouraging, their volume was steadily and materially increasing. Of course this increased value for exports naturally increased the cost also to the local consumer, but this drawback in increased cost of living was overwhelmingly counterbalanced by the influx of wealth to the Colony. There was also a spurt in the development of our coal and gold mines which must prove of permanent benefit. What they had, he thought, to specially guard against at a time like-this was anticipating the good time, to be careful not to discount the future, but continue on the lines of public and private economy which the position of the Colony had been forcing upon us. A drawback to prosperity was the somewhat serious loss that had been sustained in population. From the beginning of the year to the close of last month our loss by emigration was no, less than 9173 persons. The monthly returns showed that in January there was an excess of immigration of 167, but there were losses in the subsequent months as follow February, 307; March, *1603; April, 1006; May, 1252 ; June, 1240; July, 1346 ; August, 1555 ; September, 1131. The September loss, it would be observed, was not so large, and they might hope that the exodus had been checked. He trusted that before long these figures would be reversed. He might refer in passing to the report of the Bank of New Zealand Investigating Committee, for that was a matter that seriously affected the commerce of the Colony. Its effect, no doubt, would be prejudicial both hero and at Home, but that it could permanently injure the credit of the Colony or its commerce he could not believe. It had been a sorry revelation, and one at which they must all feel humiliated and ashamed to send to their friends at Home as the doings of their leading banking institution. But the position had happily been faced, and they _ might now hope for better things in the future. He could not help thinking that tiie release of properties which had been held so long, and which would come into the market at something nearer their true value, would greacly assist in the settlement of the Colony, while the cessation of support to concerns which, in their nature and on their merits, should have gone into liquidation long ago, would remove what had been felt by legitimate business as a very unfair opposition. (Hear, hear,) The business chat had come before the Council since the last meeting was not of a very important nature, being mostly of a routine character. In the matter of the cost of administration of the Bankruptcy Act, which was mentioned at the last meeting of the Chamber (attention being drawn to the fact that a considerable profit was made by the Government in this administration, notwithstanding which the salaries of the official assignees and other officers were to be cut down), inquiries had been made, and the Government at first did not admit that a profit was being made, but eventually a return was obtained from them which showed that in the two financial years the income and expenditure were as follow : expenses charged against the bankruptcy vote, L 7751. 1887-88—Income, H 1,278; expenses charged against the vote, L 7299. To make up the difference, however, and to show that there was no profit, the Government had, in the table supplied, charged against revenue the expenses and salary of District Judge Broad, who travelled the South Island on general law business as well as that of bankruptcies. They had also charged against it L2OOO a year as the proportion of salaries of Judges and Registrars, and other charges for rent, &c., bringing the expenditure up to the exact amount of the revenue. The Council had-urged the Government to take the necessary steps to have the products of the Colony represented at the Paris Exhibition in 1889, and it was suggested that the exhibits now being shown at Melbourne should be utilised as a nucleus. The Government now had the matter under consideration. Members of the Chamber would probably have noticed a paragraph that had lately gone the rounds of the press, referring' to our butter trade, in which Mr James Hurse, of Sefton (Canterbury), was represented as having sa.d that 2000 kegs of butter he saw shipped in Wellington were sold in London for per lb. He was aware that soihe of our produce was not the best, but he felt quite certain that such a wholesale condemnation of our export must be capable of some explanation. Inquiries had accordingly been made of Mr Hurse, who stated that ho was very badly and only partly reported as to what he said. Certainly a portion of the butter was sold at that .price, but Mr Hurse did not intend to convey the impression, nor had he any information to showi that the whole 2000 kegs were of the same class or character. In: connection with the Exhibition at Melbourne, the Chamber of Commerce there had arranged for a congress of Australian Chambers of Commerce, to be held on the 31st of this monthand following days. The list of subjects to be considered had been sent, and the assistance of this Chamber invited with cordial invitations to representatives. A similar conference would be held in connection with the' Chambers of Manufactures. v Should any members be . going to "Victoria about the time mentioned, the Council would be very glad for them to attend : the conference on behalf of this Chamber. Mr J. R. George had kindly assented to act as a representative. A communication had also been received from the organising Secretary of the Imperial Institute, setting forth the work of the Institute, and asking the assistance and suggestions of the Chamber. In conclusion, the Chairman said there were no notices of motion for the meeting, but it was now open for members to discuss any matters they might wish to bring forward, (Applause.) Mr Duthie, being informed by the Chairman that the question of bills of lading would be discussed at the Conference in Melbourne, expressed a hope that the Chambers’ representatives woidd urge this matter on the Conference with a view to prevent the shipping companies relieving themselves of responsibility. fire prevention. Mr Boardman mentioned the subject of lire prevention, and urged that a better system should be inaugurated. He pointed out that there were differences at present in the Fire Brigade which were

calculated to have a bad effect. The present system we had was the dearest in New Zealand, and about the least effective. He moved that the Council should take the matter of fire prevention into consideration. The Chairman said the differences in the Fire Brigade were of course for the City Council to deal with. Mr A. Baker seconded the motion, which was carried. CORPORATION LEASEHOLDS, Mr A. A. Barnett said the question of dealing with Corporation leaseholds was a most important one to solve, which was very necessary. In all these leaseholds there was no provision for compensation, and that, he thought, was a flaw which had prevented the proper settlement of these lands. He thought that if a clause allowing compensation were introduced into the leases the result would be a great increase of substantial and prominent buildings. He was of opinion that either a purchasing or a compensation clause would have to be inserted in these leases. The difficulty hitherto had been that the proposals made would have interfered with existing contracts. The buildings at present on these lands were comparatively poor and dilapidated, and he had no doubt the omission he had mentioned had had a deterrent effect. The Corporation would realise a large sum for the extra privilege of compensation, and, the rates would also be greatly increased.

Mr D. T, Stuart suggested that it would be interesting to learn the causes of the emigration to which the Chairman had referred. He ascribed it to the Melbourne Exhibition, and probably in a measure also to the reduced public works in the Colony. With respect to the Corporation leases, he regretted that Mr T. Kennedy Macdonald was not there to reply to Mr Barnett. (Laughter.) He (the speaker) was opposed to any alteration. The Chairman thought it would be impossible for the Chamber to deal with the leases. The wider question of compulsory compensation" was, of course, for the Legislature to deal with. After some further discussion, the meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman for his address.