Chamber of Commerce.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXV, Issue 9792, 18 March 1908, Page 4

Chamber of Commerce.

THE SIZE OF CORNSACKS. The following concludes our report of yesterday's conference, which was still sitting when we went to press : Mr Kaye (Canterbury) said the matter had been before the Canterbury Chamber for many mouths past, but he was sorry to say they were no better off now than when they commenced. They had come to the conclusion that the "best evil" was to put the 2001bs of grain into the present sack and tuck in what was not necessary. He himself, a couple of years ago, when the question first came up. thought that a sack 44in x 26Jin would be the best, but he liad been told that it would not stack. Personally, he had always been a strong advocate for a universal sack—one that could be used throughout New Zealand, so that an interchange of sacks would bo possible. Regarding the weight, they would have to accept the position that it must not exceed 2001bs. When in Auckland in February last he had pointed out to Sir Joseph Ward what a desirable thing it was that, a sack should be lixed upon that would hold 2001b of Australian wheal and could lie used in New Zealand for the same purpose. Sir Joseph, he said, thought the idea a good one and communicated with the Minister in Australia, pointing out the advantages. However, Australia had adopted a size which was of no use here; neither was it regarded as satisfactory over there, and efforts were being made to get the size altered. He would like the Conference to come to some decision as to the width of the sack. Mr Kaye said that Mr Horrell, who was a practical farmer, had been experimenting with a sack the dimensions of which were 46in x 24in, and he read a letter from Mr Wood, miller, of Canterbury, recommendin" a.'sack 64 x which it was maintained would hold 200)bs of wheat and allow a margin for a damp season, and would also hold 2001 be of flour. He considered they would have no trouble whatever in getting from the Government permission to forward present-day sacks after February Ist, 1909, on a declaration, being made that they were ordered before the making of the by-law. He moved : "That a sack, 46in x be accepted by the Conference, with a reservation possible to subsequent adjustment after linding what size had been adopted ire Australia." Mr Horrell (Canterbury) said he did not think there would be so much objection to the length as to the width. The 26Jin sack, with 200lbs of wheat in it. could not be stacked, and it would never be accepted, by the farmers. Mr Horrell said he did liot think the. sack 46in x 25-Jin would hold 2001bs of flour—somebody must have made a mistake. Jle seconded the. motion.

11l reply to a question how such ;i bag would <lo for oats, Mr Newman (.South Canterbury) said a sack such as the one named in the motion would be too small to hold 2001bs of oats. Mr Rose said that in connection with the sacks suggested by him, he had endeavored to get a sack that would suit all purposes. His storeman had pro. duced one 44in x 24iin, and he considered this one would Ik- most useful. He considered a sack 41in x 23Jin would lie useless, as it would not stack. He thought a uniform sack throughout Australia and Now Zealand was a good idea, but asked, Why should not New Zealand lead the way and Australia be asked to conform to our sack. Our sack would suit their wheat, but theirs would not suit ours. If they were to have a special sack for wheat they would require to have a special sack for other purposes. He was in favor of the 24£ in sack, because it would stack well aud would also easily hold 2001bs of flour. Mr J. Maitland Jones said he thought they might consider a sack 46in x 24 ! in, as such a sack would suit for wheat, for flour, for oats, and other purposes. It seemed to .him that for an all-round sack, something like those dimensions should lie considered. Mr Fleming (Invercargill) pointed out that such a sack would not hold 20011.-6 of flour. Mr Hose moved, as an amendment, that the Conference recommend a universal wheat sack 44in x 24Jin. Mr Newman (.South Canterbury) seconded the amendment. Some experiments, he said, went to show that the ideal sack for wheat growers was 44in x 24Jin. He did not think it possible to hit upon any size that would suit better. Mr Turner (South Canterbury) said he thought a sack 46in x 24 ! in would be more suitable. The sack suggested bv Mr Rose would scarcely hold 2001bs. Mr Young "(South Canterbury) said he was inclined to favor Mr liose's amendment, from the point of view that it was a good bag to stack. Mr J. .Maitland Jones, as a further amendment, moved that a sack 46iu x 24jiu be recommended. Mr Kayo said that .Mr Jones had just anticipated what he was going to say, and he was prepared to alter his motion in accordance with Mr Jones' amendment, lie stiil believed that a sack an inch smaller in breadth would hold 2001 bs of flour, aud be useful for other purposeis. Assuming that Australia was going to alter the size of their sack, they might rhen have to reconsider what they had done today in order to make the .Australian and New Zealand sack uniform. With the permission of his seconder, he would alter Ids motion to provide for a sack 46m x 24£iu, with the same reservation as previously made regarding the size of the Australian sack. . Mr llorrell said he had only seconded Mr Kayo's motion with hesitancy. He thought", after listening to the argument, that a sack 46in x 24im was the one they ought to adopt. Jle thought, also, that the Commonwealth should be at once advised of the size adopted. Mr Morris (Diinedui) thought the 44in a. ljottt'i- all rotund sack than the 46ui. The width, however, was the principal thing, and if thev made a uniform width of 24 Jin the length would not matter much. Mr Meek was of opinion that for the sake of two inches they ought to stick to 46 inches. Jle doubted if the sack proposed bv -Mr Rose would in a wet season hold 200lbs of /lour. Mr Rose said another point to be considered was the question of handling the sacks. If a sack were well tilled it could be handled much easier than if not well tilled. Mr Fleming said that from a millers point of view it was clear that the size of the sack would have to be reduced. II was clear, also, that two sizes of sacks would require to be imported, the larger one to hold the lighter weights. He was of opinion that the size suggested, 46in x would iu ordinary years hold not only 2001 bs of wheat, but 20011k of flour as well. .Mr Kaye replied, emphasising his opinion that a sack 46in x 24Jin would be the best to adopt. Mr Rose, with the consent of his seconder, withdrew his amendment. Jde did so, he said, in order that there might be perfect unanimity. The motion was then put and carried enthusiastically. Mr Rose expressed the opinion that the result of the Conference should be forwarded to the various Chambers of Commerce throughout the Dominion and Australia with a view to unanimity, and that this should be taken in hand by the Oainaru Chamber.

Mr Kayo moved : "That it be a recommendation to other Chambers to adopt ami advocate the size of sack deckled on by the Conference." The motion was seconded by Mr Jones and carried unanimously. Mr Kaye moved: "That the Sydney Chamber of Commerce be informed of the result of the Conference, and that it had been recommended to the various Chambers throughout the Dominion, for adoption.". Seconded by Mr Rose and carried. A vote of thanks to the Oamaru Chamber for having taken the matter up and organised the Conference was, on the motion of Mr Kaye, seconded 'by Mr Newman., earned irnamivmously. With reference to earried-over stocks, Mr Rose moved that representations be made to the Premier, and lie be asked to arrange a method by which they could obtain their railage without the penalty. The Premier to be informed that Mr Kaye had been appointed a delegate from the Conference to wait upon him in reference to the matter. On the motion of Mr J. Maitland Jones, seconded by Mr Kaye, it was decided that a similar Conference be held that day 12 months in Timaru or Christchurch, to discuss matters of interest to the Chambers, of Commerce. Mr Kaye said he thought the Christchurch Chamber would readily extend an invitation for the Conference to be held there. The Conference closed with a hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman.