CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14507, 26 April 1909, Page 3 (Supplement)

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

GENERAL CONFERENCE, WELLINGTON, April 13. A eonterence ol delegates representing ih\> New 'Zealand Clnunbeis of Commerce was opened in Wellington to-day. Mr W. G. JDuthie (president of the Wellington Chamber) presided. in opening the conference the President said: it, gives me very great pleasure to be able to-day to welcome you to the conference. No doubt the exchange of views between the various chambers represented ml) be to the advantage of the commercial peoplo of New Zealand and to too general community as well. It is now over seven years since the last conference of tile Chambers of Commerce was held, and on that, occasion it was in Wellington, it was then proposed that a similar meeting should take place tili6 following year, 'out for various rations it did not take place. Noiv that another start has been mado it is to bo hoped' that these conferences will become annual. The subjects suggested to be discussed are numerous. and include, among others, proposed amendments to the bankruptcy law IVath tilO Auckland and Wellington Chambers (as well as others, no doubt) have bean giving this subject serious consideration, and we will have the benotit of the delegates' view. It is understood that the Government will bring the subject forward during the coming session of Parliament, when we may look forward to these laws being put 011 ;t more satisfactory basis. It is expected that the mortgage tax and the graduate tax will also receive mention during the coming sessioii. The subjects will also be liefore you for consideration. Another subject which requires to be thoroughly dealt with by all chambers is the representation of the mercantile community 011 harbour boards, ihis is a subject over which Chambers of Commerce require to make themselves strongly felt, as, if their representation is removed, it would be a serious thing for importers ami exporters alike. A federation of the Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand is no new subject to come before such a conference as this. It was before the last conference; but, while the principle of federation was allirined. 110 actual federation ha-s taken place. You will have an opportunity of considering t ho question again, and probably soma means will be found of making federation an accomplished fact. In this connection it is suj,'gust,e<l that, a parliamentary committee should be formed 111 Wellington to watch the interests of commerce. If a federation of the chambers takes place the setting up of the proposed committee would necessarily bs one of the duties of the federated bodies. Railway, nutters will also be given consideration, including proposed new lines, such as the completion of the South Island Main trunk, the Napier-Gisborne-rlotonm line, and the North Auckland Main Trunk, as well as the question of charges, regulations, and administration. Another very important subject that will be considered is the question of ocean mail services, in eluding the Vancouver and Ihe Ban Francisco mail routes. Something more satisfactory than the present arrangements is required. While the mails leave here for Sydney regularly, and only miss the connection in Sydney occasionally, it is never certain when the inward mail will arrive. Under this heading I might also mention the subject of cable rates and telephone charges, which call for consideration. We want to know whether a reduction can be made. Trade terms is another subject that will come before you. At the present time there is no uniformity as between the various centres of the colony in respect to thfl terms of credit and 'cash discount. \\ e will alio hear some papers read on srbjecls of special importance to New Zealand, among them being one 011 the Arbitration Act in relation to industrial progress—a subject of special interest at the pie-ent time. The hemp industry and the coal industry will also be dealt with. The latter requires special attention at tl\o Juomjßt. on amunj.of the poor

return that is being secured as against tho cost of production. We will alo havo a (taper on colonial defcnce, one of the most important subjects that can b« brought, forward at any tunc, and especially at the moment. It has been decided by tho Ministry to bring before Parliament a new scheme of 'defence for tho colony, doLng away with the Council of Defence, winch was only initiated somo two years ago. New Zealand is 'to present one or two warships of tho Dreadnought class to Grait Britain, and, under these circumstances, the paper on this I!? , ri" 1)0 ■ ° f ! )cculi: ' l ' interest. Bajik .holidays will iil>v> bo I am sure yon will all agree that some change should bo made as. regards these oluUs. When the question was before he House the result was a„ increase in the number of J.oiidava instead of a decreasj. To-day f or example, (]le . re closed win o all business premises are "h mi,l 1 °!' W " 0t be " ' rlle - bil,lks - ould mako their holidays suit tho —(Tpplausc) UCre ' al imCreslji ,118 tolol| yA resolution asking the Government to til e making n,„ v isiort for he inspection of cargo (wool and hemp) before siiipment. with a. view to prevent nig hres, was lost. A motion was carried asking the Goveriinient to approach the London Dock liu.4 wjtli the object of providing storage una better provision for dcalik' with colonial wool there. Motions were also passed that the time had arrived for a vcHidfoil of cable rales, and protesting against execssive bank holidays, lite conteteiice asked that , on race days and show dnvs the baiiKs should be open till noon, aiid that all saints' days should be eliminated as holidays in banks and Government offices. it was resolved that the Government should complete the Dominion trunk railway line, including the North Auckland line, as sonn as possible, Tho conference ?/?? t ' lß following resolutions:— ! I hat- the attention of the Government be called to tho necessity of fostering t-iade with the Pacific islands, and arranging with the shipping companies for lower rates of freight, especially with regard to that portion of the Pacific which has lower freights from Australia; that tho arbitration cause., providing for arbitrat-iou in the Dominion, be inserted in all contacts between Jjritish and foreign cl porters and New Zealand importers, and that the British Trade Commissioner be asked to act as referee in all casts, and that as a. preliminary step a. committee be appointed to draw up the proposed arbitration cause and. submit the same for the approval of each chamber; that the attention of the Government be called to the need of a more up-to-date system in the department dealing with" the statistics of imports ami exports, so that reiriinis may bo issued more frequently and more promptly tha.n al present, and, further, to ensure accuracy in the official reports of tho date ol shipment of exports; that legislation, if necessary, be passed to compel the delivery at the Customs of-complete export entries for the cargo within 24 hours of the dcpe.rturo of any vessel, and that on the departure of each fortnightly steamer for the United Kingdom an official summary be published of all exports from the Dominion for the preceding fortnight; tlmt the Governmentbe asked to bring in legislation to provide for the registration of firms on lines similar to tho "N'ew South Wales Act of 1902; that the Minister investigate the method of assessing duly on cigars imported from Australia with a view to placing tlio locally-made goods on as good a basis." The Wellington Council was requested to take whatever steps might he necessary to give elfeet to tho resolutions of the 'conference, and generally to act on behalf of tho chambers of commerce of the Dominion, pending the formation of. the proposed association of the New Ztaland chambers. DEPUTATION TO SIR J G. WARD.. ' WELLINGTON, April 15. The delegates concluded their business this afternoon, and then waited on tho Prime Minister. Mr W G. Duthio (president of the conference) read the mora important resolutions of the conference. Tn replying, Sir J. G. Ward said some alteration in tho Bankruptcy .Act was essential. The whole matter -was now being investigated by the Government with, a view to submitting proposals if I possible to the coming session of Parliament. In regard to harbour board representation, he thought there should still bo some nominated members. Enormous responsibilities rested on hoards, and they must remember that there was scarcely one board that had not obtainedi largo sums of money outside New Zealand. Drastic changes could not be brought about without people who had lent enormous sums of money being considered so that was for their loans. Regarding the mail service, what was needed wa.s a good mail and passenger servico to the Old Country by the quickest route. (Voices: "All Ked.") Sir J G. Ward said that personally he had tried for an All-lied) route for a long time. An Auckland man had 6aid that possibly the 'Frisco eervica could be secured if New Zealand would move in the matter, hut he believed it waa not possible to get steamers to run for a bonus anything near the last one. Nevy Zealand had repeatedly offered to pay a subsidy for the Vancouver line, touching at New Zealand. The Federal Government, However, wa/3 giving a considerable subsidy, but Brisbano waa included in ports of call. There was no doubt that Canada, Australia, and New Zealand combined couid get one of the finest All-Red services to England, He promised to have the question of smiting fund commissioners investigated by the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament. He believed i.i eablo rates being cheapened. the other contributors to the Pacific sen-ice had supported, tho line as New Zealand had done, » would have been forthcoming in a (short time. Ho hoped the Imperial Press Conference would take up the subject. In reference to tho resolution asking that the mortgage tax be aboli;hed and in lieu thereof tho income derived from the investment of capital be made subject xo the income tax, * Sir J. G. Ward said that such an alteration would involve more taxation. If they understood that he was not indisposed to meet them. There seemed to bo a grave misapprehension on the part of f.bnao advocating this change. .How was it all the great investing companies which caine to New- Zealand did so when a mortgage tax was in operation at the rate of 33 1-3 per higher than tho present ono, and carried ou without a murmur or complaint ? Several companies went out of tho country later, but it was not the mortgage t-ax that caused this—it was the Advances to Settlers Department, which lent money at lower rales The graduated land tax was a matter of great importance but thev must remember that there wero difficulties in providing taxation to meet the country's requirements, Tho gradu-/ aied tax and the extra- tax imposed ivere to prevent tho growth of huge estates. He was prepared to look into the application of the tax to what lie called ordinary business premises, and if any injustice was being done it should be capable of removal Replying to u request for compulsory military 'training, Sir J. (<■ Ward said the general term compulsion implied thai, every rnati in the conntry would have to submit to a period of drill •\o such scheme was practicable unless n \ery great number of exemptions wtm provided for, and ho did not- think it would l, tt acceptable to the countr»v During next session, however, proposals would be .submitted malcum radical alteratioiis in the present system, and he believed they would meet the wishes of those who desired som» such scheme a# had been submitted.