CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18687, 17 October 1922, Page 6

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MEETING OF COUNCIL. A meeting of tho Council of the Chamber of Commerce was held last evening, and was well attended. Mr H. VV. Jones occupied tho chair. Some discussion took place as to typing the minutes of the previous fleeting of the council for the benefit of members present, or absent, , and it was finally resolved that th'e minutes bo typed and supplied to members as usual. With regard to the annual conference the chairman stated that matters wore well in hand, and arrangements had been made for entertaining delegates.—Mr H. C. Campbell, speaking on behalf of the Ferry Company, said that a boat would bo placed at (he disposal of the delegates to take them a trip down tho harbour. —The chairman outlined the business and pleasure side of tho conference, which ho described as a “pretty full programme.”—Ways and moans of meeting the expenses involved were discussed.

The Minister of Immigration, writing as to immigrants to Otago, stated that for the most part the immigrants travelled under the nomination system and tho, numbers destined to proceed to any particular province depended upon tho number of nominations received from that quarter. It was therefore obvious that if more nominations were, received from Otago the greater would ho its proportion of tho new arrivals. The statistics supplied to the press on the arrival of vessels wore not to bo taken as a definite indication of the final destinations of the new arrivals: as in many cases the single men preferred to proceed to districts where employment, was offering. A considerable number of farm hands had been despatched to Otago during the last month or two, and most of those men had been actually booked to Wellington.—Tho chairman remarked, in the course of tho discussion that took place, that the sooner .the business men of the South Island had .a commissioner of its own the better. —It was resolved that the matter be brought under the notice of the Minister, and ask that representations of the position be made in London. It was also resolved that tho Minister’s letter bo referred to the Vigilance Committee to follow (ho matter up and act, Tho Otago Harbour Board, writing with regard to Lake Logan, and what had been set out by a deputation from the Chamber that had waited upon tho board, stated that, the board intended to adhere to tho policy it had already resolved upon, in so far as the negotiations between the Education Board and tho University Council were concerned. and with regard to the remaining a«ja, it was prepared to negotiate with tho City Council in tho direction of leasing at a fair rental. - Received.

The Southland mid Otago Co-operative Timber Company wrote as to shipping facilities. Tho company, recognised that it was impossible for any shipping company to place a boat at its disposal whenever it suited the timber company. Trade with the North Island might he improved by providing more frequent connections, but Ihe timber company did not, feel justified in urging this in view of the volume of business.—Received.

Tho Otago Fishermen's Society, wrote as to tho space for the export of fish to .Sydney. Shipping facilities were shocking, hut. the trade in the near future would he sufficient. to induce the Union Steam Ship Company to provide bettor facilities. A business agent was expected from Sydney, and it was intended to talk over tho whole position with the traffic manager of the Union Steam Ship Company.—Received. Tlio Chairman, speaking on lire protection at the whurvtjs, said that they had waited upon the City Council, and they wore just where they were. The council said it had carried out its parts as far as an oufbreak of fire was concerned, and that it was authorised to say, from tho Fire Board, that the mains canto up to necessary requirements, and it, considered (hat it was the duty of tly? Harbour Board to protect the wharves. The council's conscience was quite clear if any fire look place.—A member remarked in a casual way that, personally these bodies might change some day, and then the position would ho changed.— The Chairman said that everything possible had been done. ]f anything occurred the responsibility fell upon the Harbour Board. ’1 he Chairman of the New Zealand Marino Cnderwriters’ Association (Mr 11. L, Tapley) wrote in connection with the wreck of the s.s. ’Wiltshire, and the dissatisfaction canscll to consignees and their underwriters in connection with claims for goods forwarded by parcel post.—lmports Committee to act in conjunction with the Importers’ Association in the matter. Mr S. Bowman referred to tho Dairy Produce Control Bill, and said that last year the dairy products of tho country ivid boon £19.6u0.CC0. and it was proposed to place control in tho hands of nine men. Me took it that the executive was not in favour of this control. It was said that the control was only as (o the exportable portion. of the produce, but it would cover the whole. He moved that (he chamber forward a motion to the Prime Minister protesting against (he Bill being placed upon (he Statute Book. It was suggested that the matter he referred to (he Kxport Committee to confer with the Hairy Association.- ■ -The <lh'iirman remarked (hat it was a matter that could not he dealt with that evening. They wore nut in favour nf control from what they had seen in (ho oast.— Mr Gibson said it was a question of principle. - and they could support Mr Bowman in file action he suggested.— A member moved as an amendment that the’ matter he referred (n the executive lo confer with Mr Bowman and the secretary of the Dairy Association and hour their views.—-It was finally resolved tn refer the natter to the executive to confer with Mr Bowman, with power to take action-