TRADE COMMISSION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8364, 26 February 1913, Page 11

TRADE COMMISSION

FIRST SITTINGS DUNEDIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REMITS. IMPORT.ANT SUGGESTIONS. Press Association. DUNEDIN, February 25. The Dominions Royal Commission opened its sittings in the Town Hall this morning. The chairman, Sir Edgar Vincent, read certain portions of the Commission. From this it appeared that the instructions to theOommls gion are to inquire and report upon the natural resources of Australia, Now Zealand, South Atnca, and Newfoundland, and, further, “to report upon tho development of such resources, whether attained or attainable upon facilities Which exist or may be created for tho production, manufacture, and distribution of all articles of commerce in those parts of our Empire; upon the requirements of each part and of the United Kingdom in the matter of food and raw materials, and the available sources of such; upon the trade of each such part of the Empire with the other parts, with tho United Kingdom and with tho rest of the world ; Upon tho extent, if any. to which the mutual trade of several parts of the Empire has been or is being affected beneficially or otherwise by laws now in forco other than , fiscal laws; and, generally to suggest any methods consistent always with the existing fiscal policy Of each part of the Empire by which the trade of each part with the others and with tho United Kingdom hi ay bo improved and extended.’ 1 , , _ Tho chairman added that tho Commission were anxious to hear everything that coifld be put before them ta tho nature of information that would tend to improve . trade between tho self-governing Dominions and the Mother Country, and to increase the already dose ties of commerce which Unite the Old Country with New Zealand. Ho felt sure that tho other members of the Commission would join him in expressing to the Government of Now Zealand and to aE others who had assisted their gratitude for the arrangements made for _ ooUecting evidence and thoir recognition of the kindneaa and Cordiality of the welcome extended to them Mr J. Loudon, president of tho Chamber fo Commerce;'extended a cordial welcome to the Commissioners, and expressed the hope that the remit of their labours would be for tho lasting benefit of the , Empire. REMITS SUBMITTED. Mr London then submitted the following remits from the Chamber- of Commerce: . 1. Advisablencss of establishing an Empire Development and Reference Bureau, with headquarters ih London, for the purpose; of expanding and developing the natural 1 resources of tho various parts of the British Empire with the following objects: (a)- To encourage the investment of capital and to provide for tho protection for investors, and also , to examine facts and vouch for the acThat oach^^f-governing part of the Empire should set aside a certain sum annually for the purposes of systematic prospecting and experimenting under expert and unbiased officials. (c) That tho results of such expert research should be interchanged and made available at branches in all parts of the Empire. 2. With a view to increasing trade Mod manufactures, migration should be encouraged to the younger countries of the Empire, care being taken that correct and reliable information only is supplied to intending emigrants, and that every effort should be made to settle such emigrants in British territory. 3. That it_ Is of importance to the overseas sections of the Empire—(a) That the cost of cable communication should be reduced as low as posible, and that to this end the question of laying a now cable across the Atlantic with a view of 'eoo'wring a State-controlled cable service from Great Britain to too furthermost ports of the Empire should bo considered, this question necessarily to embrace inquiry into the probable future of wireless telegraphy both from its economic and practical standpoints. ; (b) That tho English Postal Department should have suggestions made to it by the Empire Trade Ctaunission having for their object the securing of a materially reduced charge on overseas newspapers posted in the United Kingdom. 4. Empire National Exhibitions— With a view to expanding trade and commerce Empire national exhibitions should bo held at periods of 1 three years, alternating iu different parts or the Empire, the loss,: if any, to be borne by the Government of that part of tho Empire in which the exhibition is held. 6. To consider the question, of some equitable and reciprocal arrangement to provide subsidies for shipping facilities* between points of the Empire and elsewhere, the subsidies to be for a fixed period and to be granted only for the purpose of initiating or_ establishing trade likely to be beneficial to Britain and her dependencies. B. That it would bo of assistance to trade and commerce, if tho commercial and merchant shipping laws throughout the British Empire were brought mto closer conformity than at present. 7. That consideration should bo given to tho question of patent laws in tho direction of simplification thereof, and also the feasibility of establishing a national patent office governing all patent tights applied for or granted within the Empire. IMMIGRATION. Mr J, A. Johnstone road a _ memorandum on “Immigration,” in tho course of which ho stated: “ The great need is for young men and women who can make good use of their hands. There has been for years a great dearth of girls and yOung women who could take up tho positions of domestic and farm servants, waitresses, factory workers, shop assistants, and so forth, and the same may be said of lads and young men who are capable of doing any kind of farm work. Good craftsmen, such as masons, bricklayers, carpontors, painters, plumbers, Ironworkers, cabinetmakers, butchers, bakers, eaihnakers, harness makers, etc., are also urgently required. There are very few openings in New Zealand for the man who can only lay claim to being a good office man or clerk. If there are clerks who desire to emigrate to New Zealand they shonld come before they are twenty years of age. Young people of both sexes of the various classes named can find ready, omnloy-

rnent in New Zealand at good wages, and if they are thrifty they can in a few years have sufficient to enable them to start in a small way either cm tho land or in a small business, 1 would not advise middle-aged or old people to emigrate to Now Zealand, unless as the parents of families, tor tho sake of the families and not for their own sake.” In answer to a commissioner, Mr Johnstone said he thought the rate of immigration from England should be increased. The supply of domestic servants fell very short of the demand. Ho should say that the Government should take the entire responsibility. The men who were on the land were tho most prosperous class in the Dominion. This was tho most trying year in his experience. They could not got farm hands. FROZEN MEAT AND SHIPPING. Mr Johnstono nekt read a memorandum on the frozen meat industry, which stated, inter alia: “It is undoubtedly a drawback, both from tho shipping point of view and also from that of tho shipper, that steamers are delayed so long in New Zealand on account of the many loading ports they have to visit, but owing to the configuration of the country it does not appear that much can bo done to improve this state of things. The remedy, if there is one, would seem to lie in tho direction of tho companies interested having some reciprocal arrangement whereby the duplication of visits might be avoided. A matter that calls for attention is the multiplicity of marks on each ship’s manifest. If a remedy could be found it would benefit both shipper and buyer, apart from reducing expense. 1 think if four conditions which I shall enumerate are observed we can safely leave the matter of wider distribution of the meat hy retail shops and otherwise in the hands of tho British and foreign traders. These four essential conditions are: 1. That farmers should continue to improve flocks and herds by breeding stock the meat of which is found to suit best the taste of customers. 2. That, the freezing companies should continually strive not only to maintain but also to raise the reputation of their respective “trade marks.” 8. That the shipping companies should go on providing the beet possible facilities for getting the meat to tho markets of the world, and* 4. That the High Commissioner should bring the whole weight of tho -Dominion’s influence to bear upon the port authorities of the United Kingdom and elsewhere in order that we may bo provided with better and more up-to-date methods for discharge, storage, and delivery of meat at the respective ports of discharge.” In answer to Sir Rider Haggard, Mr Johnstone said the greatest trouble was at the London docks. The meat did not get fair play when it left the ship’s hold. To Mr Lorimert Ho was satisfied that they had not reached tho capacity of over-production by a very long way. They would . continue ’ to progress for generations. They could increase tho doily output also. CABLE COMMUNICATION. Mr Johnstone then read a memorandum on the subject of cable communication, which included the following clauses: “I am strongly of-opinion that it would be of tho greatest. advantage to the Empire to complete tho All-Red cable communication between Britain and Australasia by laying down a line from Britain to Canada. Apart from the strategic advantages it would in my opinion bo of benefit to the Mother Country and the Dominions to have a through service in relation to which we would bo independent of existing transatlantic lines. A suitable reduction would lead to a great amount of correspondence being conducted by cable Which must now pass by mail. X should like to see a system of deferred messages established, to be carried oyer the wires when business is slack as in the case of the present deferred cable, but' without any restriction as to the words used. Tho existing provisions for deferred messages are of ho service to business people because code language is not allowed. It is cheaper to code matter sent and pay full rates upon it. Weekly market reports should he received by all producing countries from those countries which need production. Cables containing these reports could perhaps be dispatched on Sundays and accepted at a reduced rate of say 6d per word in the case of New Zealand.” In answer to questions Mr Johnstone said ho did not think there should be much difference between the rates for code and plain-word messages. He thought cables should be used to bring all parts of the Empire closer together commercially and socially, and that this tie should bo in the hands of out own people; Mr T. Garnett remarked that in Dondon the big commercial exchanges quoted market movements most accurately, and the High Commissioner possessed those sources of information. The chairman: It is largely a matter between you and your High Commissioner. DEFERRED MESSAGES AND POSTAGE. Mr Loudon read a memorandum by Mr George Fenwick, in which the following passages occurred: “It is a matter for some measure of satisfaction that the cost of commercial and public cables has been cheapened through tho inauguration of the system of deferred cables for which an appreciably lower rate is charged. The concession is welcome, but it can only be regarded as an instalment of reform. The competition of other nations is being felt more and more keenly by British manufacturers, and if hy cheapened cable facilities any help can be secured to tho merchants and tradesmen of the Empire then surely the question is one well within the scope of the Commission’s duty. Another matter probably worthy of attention is the question of English postal rates on overseas newspapers sent to Great Britain and reposted there to friends and subscribers throughout the Kingdom. The practically prohibitive rates imposed onoverseas newspapers posted in England can bo viewed as a check on that knowledge of affairs of the distant parts of the Empire which is unquestionably one of tho means of promoting trade intercourse and the development of the far-distant colonies by immigration and other ways.” NATIONAL EXHIBITIONS. Mr London presented a memorandum in support of the remit on the subject of Empire national exhibitions, it vas stated that the holding of such a series of exhibitions as was proposed in, say, London, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Now Zealand, and possibly India, at intervals of three years Would lead to extensive and mutual exchanges of visitors from one part

.)£ tho Empire to another, most of whom would be" business men with families. The* beneficial influence of closer acquaintanceship thus induced should prove an important factor in promoting the unification and solidarity of the Empire. Snob exhibitions would be solely for advertising the Empire, not to bring together the products of other competing nations. There was a feeling in the colonies that the British manufacturer was slow to adopt new methods. Ho did not think the colonial Governments would shrink from the expense. He did not admit that the exhibitions would entail a loss. Mr J. Inglis Wright said the main idea was to create a means of bringing the people of the Empire closer together. Each country would prepare for show whatever it had as specialities. PATENTS AND TRADE MARKS. Mr Loudon took up the subject ot patents and trade marks, advocating uniformity throughout tho Empire. The form of application prescribed for ordinary cases in tho United Kingdom was admirably simple, requiring only the signature of the applicant in two places, and if the same form were prescribed throughout tho Empire many petitions, declarations, and other useless documents at present required in some States would be abolished. The question of establishing a national patents and trade marks office in London was worthy of most careful consideration. To conserve the revenues of individual States the Empire could be divided into sections, and a sliding scale of fees prescribed. The validity of a parent as regards each State, could be independent and capable of cancellation if required without affecting its validity in other States. Registration of trade marks could be earned out with a central office in London and sub-offices in each State. To Mr Campbell: The establishment ,tt a central office would involve the, unification of the patent laws. To Sir Alfred Bateman: If they could not get absolute uniformity in the British Empire ho would favour approximate uniformity by ' adhering to international conventions. Ho had preference for the English patent law in some respects because of its simplicity. Mr J. R. Park, patent agent, skid he bad been established in Dunedin about twenty years. The new patent law passed- in New Zealand in 1911 was expressely moulded on the English Act, except in the matter of the working'of patents. It would bo desirable to have an Empire patent law, so that instead of men having twenty or thirty laws to comply with they would have only on*. To Sir Alfred Bateman; He did hot think the compulsory working provisions in England were advisable. The provision should be in force there that was in force in New Zealand and Australia, namely, that if a patent was fiot working and' a person commences to work it he was not infringing the patent if he got an order from tho court that it was not being Worked. To Mr Tatlow: Uniformity in regard to the duration of patents existed at present ,in the United Kingdom and the Dominions, except Canada. Canada gave eighteen years, and in the cither British countries fourteen years was allowed. COMMERCIAL AND MERCANTILE SHIPPING LAWS. Mr W. E. Reynolds read a memorandum on commercial and merchant shipping laws, advocating closer conformity than at present, existed. It was stated that at present a sale on f.o.b. terms threw on the buyer the'onus of proving,' in the event of dispute, that the goods shipped were not up ■to standard. The same applied to c.lf., etc., sales, except that the seller provided . insurance, freight, and exchange. It'should be made possible for a seller, in the event of refusal of a draft, to sue and to have judgment entered in Ms -favour at' the' port of shipment, the judgment to carry the right of execution at the port of destination without the necessity of taking further action there, as was the case at present. Tho position should be made much more definite with reference to o.i.f. sales, and something more definite should be laid down as to the ship’s liability in connection with storage of goods in cases where goods wore shipped in excellent condition but arrived at tho destination . damaged., The ship, as a rule, disclaimed liability, though there might bo distinct signs throughout the cargo ; of fresh water damage. The Chairman: You practically want an alteration of this law. .It is not a question of uniformity. Witness: My opinion is that even if tho same uniformity of terms Was brought about throughout the Empire it would help matters very much indeed. The' chairman: It is tho difference in commercial practice in the different parts you want to see brought into uniformity. Witness: 1 think that without altering the law at all the terms could be " brought into such uniformity that they would become usual. The chairman; I don’t think we Can really take any useful action on this point. It seems to. involve alteration of the law in different parts -of the Empire. Have you any idea as to how what you devise can be brouht about? Witness: Take selling f.o.b. The’ Hon. J. R. Sinclair : That would involve legislation, The chairman, after further discussion, said he thought the point was too legal. Mr Reynolds said the clause relating to liability of ships was Very important. The chairman; It really wants the highest legal professional to deal with it. Wo will take your statement and put it iu to the evidence. ■ Mr Campbell, referring to the third clause, said it had been urged hy experts that this was the rcasern for American trade having beaten British trade, Mr . Reynolds said he had brought the matter up with the object that tho points raised might be Ventilated, ahd with the hope that some good might come of. it. MORE ABOUT IMMIGRATION. Mr Arber, secretary of the Dunedin Expansion League, read a memorandum on the subject of immigration. Ho referred to the unsuitability of men who worked passages out here. They were rarely equipped with sufficient knowledge of any skilled trade or facilities for making even a bare living. As showing the real need for apprentices, he stated that many firms were prepared so pay the passages of hoys and girls in order to attempt to fill their ,wonts. One wholesale clothing and boot manufacturer had been short of hands for the last four years, and at the present time could do with fifty additional employees—men, women, and children. Time-expired men of the navy, army, and marine forces might make very suitable immigrants. The Commission will sit again tomorrow.