IN CONFERENCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 9515, 24 November 1916, Page 5

IN CONFERENCE

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE THE QUESTION OF SHIPPING FREIGHTS. SCIENCE APPLIED TO INDUSTRYTho conference of Chambers of Commerce was resumed' yesterday, tho president (Mr James Macintosh) occupying the chair. There was again, a full attendance of delegates. COMPANY LAW. On the recommendation of a committee tho remit from Wellington with regard to company law was carried in the following form: “That it is advisable that the Government should have tho power of insisting on any individuals, firms, or companies producing, manufacturing, or trading within tho Dominion being , British controlled, both as regards man- * agemont and ownership, and that with this object in view, ttns conference is of opinion: “(1) That the Government should legislate to provide: “(a) That no company shall be registered as. a Now Zealand company or continue on the register as suen unless three-fourths of its shares are held by British subjects oithow in their own right or on behalf of other British subjects. “(b) That the annual list of shareholders of a company required to bo filed with the Registrar of Companies shall state the nationality of shareholders in addition to the information at present furnianed. “(c) That in the case of a new company, all applications for shares shall set out the nationality of the applicant. “(d) That in all transfers of shares in a company, the nationality of both tho transferor and the transferee or in tho case of tho transferee being an agent or trustee tho nationality of the actual owner shall bo included on the transfer form. “(e) That foreign companies now trading, and hereafter foreign companies on commencing to trade in New Zealand through an attorney, agent, or other representative, be required to file annually with tho Registrar of Companies a list of shareholders, sotting out the nationality of such shareholders.” EXCESSIVE SHIPPING FREIGHTS. The committee deputed to reduco various remits with reference to shipping freights to one resolution submitted the following: “That it be a recommendation to the Government that such arrangements be jpado with the oversea lines ot steamers canning cargo to and from the United Kingdom to ensure that excessive rates shall not bo charged, having consideration from time to time to existing circumstances and tonnage demands from other countries. And failing that, the Government consider tho question of State-owned ships, and if necessary in order to ensure that the requirements of tho Dominion are fully provided for, that a subsidy be paid by tho Government which latter would assist towards bringing into effect tho suggested arrangement.” ’ The adoption,of-this -proposal was moved by Mr T. D. A. Moffett (Invercargill) and seconded by Mr H. S. Bourn (Christchurch). Mr J. G. Harkness thought the proposition shelved tho main point, which was that the time had come when Jfiho GovemTrt-oite had to take some hand to meet the operations of the shipping ring of tho world. Mr T. B. Williams (Wanganui) was in accord with the view of‘Mr Harkwess, and moved that the remit, ns 'amended, bo struck out. \Mr A. Harris (Wanganui) seconded - the amendment. Mr H. Tolley (Feilding) said he was fully in accord with Mr Harkness, but the committee thought that at the ■ - present juncture little more could be said than was contained in the suggested resolution. Mr George Fenwick (Dunedin) considered that the remit should be pass- ... «d os suggested. At this time it'went far enough, and the committee would bo acting wisely in adopting a moderate course. Anything more drastic would be impracticable at the present juncture. Mr A. Leigh Hunt (Wellington Central) moved as an amendment that the remit bo passed in tho following form ; “That the Government bo urged to consult with tho producers of New Zealand with a view of obtaining control of shipping between the Dominion and its markets.” This was seconded by Mr C. M. Luke (Wellington Central). _ Mr Hunt’s amendment was negatived. The resolution as suggested by tho committee was adopted. BILLS 0F LADING. Mr A. Leigh Hunt moved with regard to hills of lading: “That the executive bo instructed to take steps to give effect to the resolutions passed at last year’s conference: (1) By fur. ther representations to tho New Zealand Government; (2) by submission to tho next Imperial Conference of British Chambers of Commerce.” Ho expressed tho view that tho time was ripe for adopting tho Australian Sea Carriage of Goods Act, so as to prevent hills of lading being backed by inequitable conditions opposed to principles of common law. Mr C. - M. Luko seconded the motion, which was carried. HARBOUR BOARD CHARGES. Mr J. G. Harkness (Wellington) moved, and Mr F. W. Manton seconded: “That this conference is of opinion that _ legislation should bo enacted within the Dominion to give preference to British shipping by permitting Harbour Board authorities to give a lower scale of tonnage, dock and wharf dues and port charges to Bri-tish-owned ships.” An amendment was carried on the motion of Mr R. Fell (Nelson) making the provision mandatory, with a condition that the preference should be uniform throughout the Dominion. It was then suggested by Messrs W. Gow and G. Fenwick (Dunedin) that it would be a mistake to carry tho remit in its attended form, for the finances of different harbour boards might be sadly interfered with. Tho motion as amended was then negatived, and tho remit was struck out. ENEMY-OWNED SHIPS. The following remit from Canterbury was moved by Mr T. F. Gib. son: “That no cargo to or from New Zealand be allowed to bo carried in vessels owned or partly owned by enemy subjects, and that no such vessel be coaled or provisioned in any New Zealand port.” It was agreed to postpone the sub-

jcct till nest year, and :lio remit was withdrawnFLAT RATES OF FREIGHT. Mr W. Gow (Dunedin), moved, and Mr J. G. Harkness seconded: “That the Government ho strongly urged to recognise tho necessity for a 'flat rate’ of freight—inwards and outwards —between all tho ports of New Zealand and San Francisco and Vancouver, and to make provision for this in all future contracts with shipping; companies for tho carriage of mails.’’ This was agreed to. It was also rcsojked: “That tho conference request shipping companies carrying cargo from the East to make a flat rate of freight to all main ports of New Zealand, in place of differential rales such as that ruling for some time past on tea from Colombo, as follows: Auckland loos lOd, Wellington and Lyttelton 152 s 7d, Dunedin and Bluff 157 s Sd.” ENDORSEMENTS ON BILLS OF LADING. It was resolved, on tho motion of Mr Gow: “That tho conference strongly protest against tho practice which inter-colonial and coastal shipping companies have adopted, without any apparent sufficient reason, of stamping across the faco of hills of lading or shipping notes such clauses as ‘packages insufficient,’ ‘packages slight,’ ‘hook-holed,’ ‘repacked, etc., even when there is no evidence whatever that such is warranted and having tho effect of defeating legitimate claims which may arise in c° r! " sequence of careless handling. Any objection %pvhich a shipping company is entitled to take as to condition or cargo should bo taken at the time when cargo is presented for shipment, and in such a manner as to give shippers an opportunity to protect themselves, and certainly once that an interim clean receipt has been given at the ship’s side the company should not he entitled to stamp final documents with such clauses. That the executive bo requested to make representations to shipping companies, calling for a cessation of the practice, and in the even of such proving unsuccessful, that they take steps to secure legislation providing for fair bills of lading or shipping notes. POSTAL AND TELEGRAPH SERr VICES. The following remits were adopted: “That this conference urge upon the, Rost and Telegraph Department the necessity of enlarging and improving tile telephone system of the -Dominion, especially in connection wtih communications between the principal towns of the Dominion, and that a telephone cable be put down across Cook Strait, so .that daily telephone communications at all hours may he possible between the North and South Islands.” —(Marlborough.) “Improved telegraphic communications between the North and South Islands.”—-(Canterbury.) “That tho Government ho urged to fix a central joint from which .telephone subscriptions shall ho computed in the principal cities and towns of the Dominion.”—(Wellington Central.) “That tho Postmaster-General he urged to revert to the system of issuing periodical addenda cards, giving additions to and deletions from current telephone exchange lists. (Dannervirke.) , “That this Association of Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand urge upon tho Postmaster-General the necessity of reverting to the old system of issuing names of new telephone subscribers monthly, as the present system of issuing a supply of advice cards to now subscribers has Peeved decidedly unsatisfactory. ’ (Marlborough.) NATURALISATIONIt was resolved: “That this conference is of opinion; That in the case oi aliens from enemy countries, British citizenship or naturalisation should not be allowed until after-twenty years uninterrupted residence-Under police registration and supervision in the Dominion, but in the ’case of aliens from neutral countries, after five years. That the oath of allegiance should pa accompanied by an oath of divestment of allegiance to the Power of which the person has hitherto been a subject, preceded by a certificate from the Government *of his native country declaring that he is released from all obligations and allegiance as a citizen thereof.” REGISTRATION OF FIRMS . AND ALIENS. The following resolutions were agreed "'That the Government should introduce measures for the of individuals, firms and partnerships, carrying on business within the Dominion, to provide that the names and nationalities of the proprietors or partners should he disclosed.” “That legislation should he promotißd to prevent subjects of enemy countries for a period after the war, from engaging in business or taking up employment or dotneile, within the Dominion without special license, and that registration should bo compulsory for every alien individual residing within the Dominion.” COMMERCIAL DEFENCE FUND. It was resolved: “That this chamber recommends to all chambers throughout the - Dominion.the adoption of a commercial defence fund similar to that established by the Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce.” COMMERCIAL TRUSTS ACT. Tho following resolution passed by last year’s conference Avas reaffirmed, and its adoption urged upon the Government: “That tho Commercial Trusts Act, 1910, should bo amended so as to make its provisions apply to shipping companies.” • RAILWAYS AND ROADS. The following remit was negatived ; Local Railways Act, 1914, Amendments : “That tho Act bo; amended so as to give local bodies tho right to oxpend funds in promoting petitions and other necessary preliminary work in connection with the creation of a railway district under the Act.”—(Wanganui.) Tho following was carried: “That representations be again mad© to the Government to order an early revision of the railway tariff, and afford the executive an opportunity of reviewing tho same prior to adoption.”—(Wellington Central.) The following were referred to the executive: “That tho Government bo asked to set up a Commission to define and report on the main arterial roads of the Dominion, with a view to tho Government taking over and maintaining such roads.” —(Whangarei.) “That a Commission bo sot up by the Government to define what shall be the national highways of New Zealand—from the Awanui in the north to the Bluff in the south.”—(Kaipara.) EXCESS PROFITS TAXATION. Mr R. Fq}l (Nelson) moved: “Whilst approving oi taxation o| war profits,

this council is of opinion that tho excess profits taxation should bo abolished on these grounds: That tho operation is unfair and inequitable; that it tends to check and hamper industry and the development of new business.” Ho explained that what was desired was an ’ alteration of the method of taxation. In connection with Nelson orchard lands the successful speculator was not taxed, while the steady cultivator was placed in an unfair position. Taxation should be spread over a succession of years instead of fixing a standard income for ono particular year. Mr E. Anderson (Auckland) seconded the motion. He that at tho present time the commercial community was bearing more than its fair share of taxation. The Government had missed a great opportunity of putting on an export tax. (Hoar, hear.) Many farmers had now been got to acknowledge this. Tho motion was agreed to. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. Mr C. H. Edwards (Napier) moved: “That tho conference take into consideration the efforts now being put forth in Great Britain, the Australian Commonwealth, and other parts of tho Empire, having for their object tho better organisation of science in its rotation to industry and commerce.” “That this conference affirms the desirability of the necessity for the promotion of scientific research and training in their relation to tho Dominion’s, commercial, industrial, agricultural,' and pastoral development, and that a committee bo set up to recommend a scheme which will further this object.” Ho alluded to the great gams that had been secured on tho Continent through scientific men being so largely employed in connection with industry. The Government should he urged to set- Up a board to investigate tins matter and formulate a scheme in connection with secondary education. Old methods were becoming obsolete in the light of the results achieved by scientific resdarch. The nations who proceeded scientifically in industrial matters would certainly be to the front in the near future. Mr R- L. Paterson (Napier) seconded the motions, arguing that Great Britain was far behind Germany and the United States in this matter. . Mr C. M. Luke (Wellington Central; said that the indictment against Great Britain did not apply so much now as some years ago. In connection with many British factories there were now well-equippod laboratories. But there was certainly room for more technical instruction in connection with industry in New Zealand. In'this country it was’most important that science should bo applied to agriculture. Too much attention was being paid to dead languages at the university and science should be brought; more to the front. Mr G. Fenwick (Dunedin) regarded the matter as one of the most important that had been brought before the conference. Britain was now making progress in the right direction, and New Zealand should follow suit. Fourteen years ago. Sir James Dewar, president of the British Association, had said: “To my mind the really appalling thing is not that the Gormans have seized this or the other industry, or even that they may have seized upon a dozen industries. It is that the German population has reached a point of general training and specialised which it will take us two generations of hard and intelligently-directed educational work. to attain.” Something must be done by the Government in 5 this matter. There was plenty of scientific talent in New Zealand awaiting encouragement for ultimate good of tho whole of the community. Mr R. Fell (Nelson) supported the motion. Mr R. W. Dalton (Imperial Trade Commissioner) contended that British firms were competent to manufacture as well as any foreign firm. That certain lines bad been" neglected was due to other reasons than a want of technical knowledge. In many ■ instances cheap copies of English samples had been made in Germany. The power of Gorman scientific knowledge had been vastly exaggerated. The war was going To revolutionise many things. Neglect of certain lines in the past in Britain was due to unfair competition. Tho fault did not In with the manufacturer.. _ The British manufacturer was as scientific as any manufacturer in tho‘world. ■ The motions wero agreed to. BOARD OF TRADE. The following remit from Wellington Central was moved by Mr R. Hall: “That this conference is of opinion tho Board of Trade, New Zealand, as constituted, is not representative of the commerce and industries of the Dominion. tho board should bQ reconstituted and have powers to extend the internal trade of the Dominion. and also to establish other markets than those possessed by the Dominion at tho present time. The board, he said, was nothing more than a Cost of Food Commission', and in no sense fulfilled the functions expected by tho commercial community. 'Mr A. Harris (Wanganui) seconded tho adoption of the remit. Mr H. S. Bourn (Christchurch) thought it premature to pass such a resolution, tho board not having a fair opportunity of demonstrating us value. . , , , ■ The remit was adopted, HOLIDAYS. It was resolved: “That in view of the unsatisfactory interruption of business which takes place at present with our statute holidays, his conference asks the Government to bring down legislation to Mondayise all holidays excepting Easter, Christmas, and Now Year.” . . “That legislation for bringing about uniformity' of half-holidays throughout the Dominion is desirable.” DAYLIGHT SAVING. It was resolved: “That this conference affirms the principle of ‘Daylight saving,’ and urges upon the Government the advisability of introducing the Definition of Time Bill as early as possible in the economic interests ot the Dominion-” THE METRIC SYSTEM. A remit from Wellington Central in favour of the adoption of tho metric system was thrown out. AGGREGATION OF FARMS. Mr A. McNicol (Dannevirke) moved: “That the attention of the Government be drawn to the large extent to which the aggregation of farming lands js reducing the population in many country districts, a reduction highly inimical to the interests of the State, and that it be urged to pass, and enforce legislation as early as possible, to prevent the aggregation in one holding of separate farms where each original farm is of sufficient area to provide adequate means of livelihood for one farmer and his family.” He mentioned a case in which an area formerly occupied by eighty farmers now only bad forty. Mr G. J. Anderson, M.P. (Gore) seconded the motion. He did not know that there was much land aggregation

going on at the present time, but there was a case in his district where 200 blocks of river flat land had been acquired by ono largo firm to grow turnips. He would not say that tho land could be put to a better use, but it was to the interest of the State that there should be as mauy small holdings as possible- „ Mr K L. Paterson (Napier), Mr it. Dobson (Dannevirko). and Mr T. D. A. Motferj, (1 uvtXcargill) supported the motion. Mr J. B. Richards (Stratford) moved as an amendment: “That this conference is of opinion that the undue aggregation of farming lands is inimical to the welfare of tho Dominion and that-further legislation should be passed as soon as possible to prevent tho Mr J. G. Harkness seconded the amendmentThe motion was withdrawn and the amendment was carried. INTEREST ON TENDER DEPOSITS. On the motion of Mr C. M. Luke (Wellington Central) it was resolved: “That this conference considers it desirable that steps be taken to ensure that municipal bodies and harbour boards pay interest at current rates on deposits with tenders after ten days of making the deposit and until such time as tho deposit is repaid to the tenderer.” TRANSACTIONS IN WOOL. It was resolved on the motion of Mr H. S. Bourn (Christchurch): “That the principle of allowing 11b per cwt draft on wool bo abolished, That wool packs bo paid for by buyers at,' half the retail cost of the pack when, new ” The conference then terminated.