CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9955, 26 April 1918, Page 6

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

ANNUAL MEETING PROBLEMS TO BE IIASTEKEU AFTER THE WAK. The animal meeting of the "Wellington Chamber of Commerce was held on Wednesday, a large number of members being present. As in the past, the meeting was proceeded by a luncheon. The president (Mr F. W. Manton) was in the chair, and among tho guests wore the Prime Minister (Air Massey;, the Minister for Finance (Sir Joseph’ Ward;, and the Mayor ox Wellington (Mr J. PLuke, C.M.G.). SALVATION OF THE PRODUCER. Tho president, in moving the adoption of the annual report, said that a restriction had been upon the publication of trade figures, but by tno courtesy of the Minister tor Customs the figures for the year ending >Septemoer, IUIV, had been included in the times the trade figures for the x>eriod ending Beptemoer JOth furnished the best oasis for comparison, as by tnat date all the season's produce had been shipped and the new season's produce had not com© in. Largo quantities of produce, however, during the past two years had not been shipped by the date named, so that the figures were of little value for comparative purposes- The 10 per cent, allowance to cover transportation charges from the country ot export to !New Zealand must fall fur ! short of the present actual freight ; charges. The Dominion was in the unique position of having the bulk of its exports purchased by the Imperial authorities or controlled by the Government. The purchase schemes had been of inestimable value to Now Zealand, the salvation of the producer and the country's commerce. The key to Now Zealand's commercial situation was the shipping problem. The Prim© Minister was to be congratulated upon the persistent way he continued to stress tno claims- of New Zealand when in London. It was learned that the Shipping Controller intended to direct several insulated steamers from the New Zealand trade, and the producing and commercial interests in the Dominion desired to place on record the Prime Minister s success in retaining some -of th© vessels for this .trade. (Applause.) On aocount of the difficulty of getting supplies from other countries there had probably been more inter-buying in New Zealand last year than previously. Ihe people of New Zealand should consider theinselves fortunate that it was possible to carry on business with comparatively- little 'inconvenience dunn? the present time of - stress. POST-WAR TRADE.

Tha war had brought into prominence the desirability of fostering trade witum. tho Empire. This conviction had been forced on British and colonial statesmen, as well as on conunotciui ■bodies, and some comprehensive . scheme would have to be evolved so that ft might be successfully carried out. A definite policy should bo formulated regarding the ' basis of future trading within the Empire. In the coming commercial war tho wider offensive would be won by efficiency in ’ manufacture, by improved methods of marketing and distribution. Something should be- done regarding New Zealand’s Department of Commerce and Industries, which needed putting on a better basis. Efforts should be made to- increase the production of the country and .the fostering of now markets. TAXATION.

With regard to the taxation of incomes of companies, the concensus of opinion among tho commercial community was that something more might be dona to alleviate the position of snareholders. Tne chamber suggested that a fair return of the capital in a company should first be taxed at a flat rate and the surplus profits subjected to graduated taxation.

After going into the question of war loaiis and the duty of everyone to subscribe to the utmost—which the president added was. after all, but a poor sacrifice compared with that willingly offered by those who were risking their lives for the Empire—he referred to the coal shortage. Mr Manton urged upon the Government the desirability of pushing ahead when possible, with a hydroelectric scheme for supplying Wellington city and province with power and light. The motion for adoption of the report was seconded bv Mr C. Richardson and agreed to without dissent.

THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. In replying to the toast of ‘"The National Cabinet." -the Prime Minister said that during the two or three years the National Cabinet had administered the affairs of the country it had received paoro kicks than compliments, but he felt sure the compliments . would come when the war was over. The Cabinet i was subjected to a large amouilt of criticism, which was probably duo to tho fact that measures that were unpopular with the public were placed ■in tho statute book. What the National Government had done -would have been Impossible under party Government. Money was raised, taxes increased and compulsory miutarv service successfully carried through." No party Government would have been able to stand up against the opposition regarding these measures. A policy had' been decided upon which would enable New Zealand to carry on hex full share in connection with tho war. and at the same time keep the country prosperous as fay as possible. There was -a strong demand for the Dominion’s products if they could bo got to the other side of the world. To this epd arrangements had been made with the Imperial authorities and th* negotiations wore, on tho whole, successful. Tho Imperial Government undertook to provide tho shipping for thhe transit of Produce to tho part of the world whore it was required -and therv had done their level best to meet Now Zealand in every way. PRODUCE IN STORE. There were 3,266,766 carcases of mutton in store in the Dominion, and l as the moat was not taken ovtfr by the Imperial authorities until it was placed on board ship the value awaiting shipment amounted to approximately -£4,000,000. Wool was on a different footing. This was taken over before shipment. Of greasy wool there was 515,680 bales in store, as well as 65,000 bales of slipe and 20,000 bales of freezing companies’ slipe wool. The British Government had contracted to take 15.000 tons of butter annually, and had actually secured 18,000 tons. There were 173,318 boxes in store, but as fiho population of Now Zealand would require 125.000 boxes the quantity was not unduly large. It was difficult to got tallow to England on account of tho shipping shortage, but efforts had been made to place shipments on the west side of North America, and the effort had met with some success. Tho other products in store were: Cheese 305,763 crates: tallow, 57,518 casks; pelts, 7039 casks; hemp, 42,058 bales; tow, 18,822 bales.

TRADE AFTER THE WAR. ■Mr Massey said that after the war trade would bo carried on along now lines. In tho past the products of other countries had been - helped in every way and not enough was done to develop our own. In the future wo would have to make use of oUr raw materials instead of Bending them to other countries to be manufactured and sent back. A' system of immigration would have to be undertaken to increase the productive power. Tbo Empire would profit by the mistakes and omissions of the past. Ho believed in developing the- water power that was going tp waste, After the war great ro-

Sponsibilities would have to bo undertaken to increase the _ country’s output and encourage population. No one could tell how long the war would last, but New Zealand had done her duty from the first and would do sso until the end. (Applause.) It did not matter whether Kew Zealand was faced with financial ruin; the first consideration was the winning of tho war, and nothing else counted. (Applause.) New Zealand/ with a population of approximately 1,1C0,0C0, had sent 100,000 men to the front. The country was proud of tho achievement, and future generations would look back upon tho effort made with pride. (Applause.) DIFFICULT PROBLEMS. Sir Joseph Ward said it was the duty of everyone in New Zealand to help develop the products of the country. The Chamber of Commerce was doing its par. in this respect, aud persons engaged in commerce should join that body. After the war there would be some difficult'problems to solve, greater than had over been experienced 1 in the history of tho Dominion. They ought to-.thank God each day of their lives that they were in a great producing country. Applause.) The climato and soil caused it to be tho most prolific in the world. That tho exports and imports amounted to r 551.400,000 for a year was phenomenal, but it was a mere drop ,in the bucket to what the country would produce as close settlement progressed. Ho looked forward to tho time when tho exports would increase to 4)151,0(10,CtlO. The great problem of labour would have to bo considered after the war. and it was essential that labour and capital should be intertwined. Wo were not afraid of the future. Tho saving of the British Empire came before everything, for the purpose of making safe civilisation and Christianity in the ages to come. THT PACIFIC ISLANDS. “We have taken the Pacific Islands from the Germans, and they shall never be allowed to go back to them as far as we are concerned," said Sir Joseph "Ward. On that question alone tno people of New Zealand should see that their representatives wont to the Old Country, as none could calculate what it would moan to them in the future. If the British Government let the Islands go back to the Germans, on a peace basis, there would be a heap of trouble in the shape of wireless stations, naval, submarine and coal stations. ‘‘The Prime Minister and myself." he said, “would sooner remain in New Zealand, but our duty- lies at the heart of the Empire to see that the heart is beating right through the arteries, and that they go right out over the whole empire, and the heart made stronger. (Applause.) Our business is, to the very death, to fight to seo that our flag is kept flying; that flag that our boys planted in tho Pacific Islands. (Applause.) Taxation . would have to be adjusted after the war, continued Sir Joseph Ward, so that all might enjoy the freedom they were entitled to. They should therefore keep away from that" bitter party note until the country was well started on the new ,road. t (Applause.) America was going to be a great military and sea power, and this country could not afford to lose tho trade with the United States. . Germany could not dim or dwarf tho Empire, which he was confident would win right out, ‘however long the straggle. In winning the war the Government should shut its eyes to party and add links to the chain of Empire which would be so powerful that nothing could break it. (Applause.)