CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18946, 21 August 1923, Page 10

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Tho._ regular meeting of the Council of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, held last night, was preaided over by the president, Ivtr P. Barr. Four new members were elected, and the president welcomed several new members of the council. .

C/ornmittees were set up for the year, with the following conveners Exports (Mr J. H. Waters), Imports (Mr H. F. Sinooek’i, Manufacturers (Mr Adam Paterson), Vigilance and Transport (Mr T. Somerville).

In reference to the chamber’s resolution coifiplaiiiing of the graduated land tax as applied to business properties in city areas, replies were received from the Auckland and Napier Chambers. Auckland expressed sympathy and asked Dunedin to suggest an alternative method of raising funds. Napier suggested that tho matter be made tho subject of a remit to the Conference of Associated Chambers.—The President said that this 1 matter had been settled, as tho Taxing Bill was now practically through the House, and lie suggested that tho correspondence be received.—lt was decided to note the matter ns a subject for a remit to the annual conference. Correspondence was received from the Association of New Zealand Chambers of Commerce outlining plans for promoting trade between Java and Now Zealand. The Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association wrote on the same subject, indicating that it would bo willing to co-operate when plana were further developed.—Mr Waters reported that the matter had been considered by the executive of the Associated Chambers of Commerce in Wellington. Generally speaking, tho response from the Associated Chambers had not been very satisfactory, but it was rocpgniscd That the proposals were nebulous. It wifi* now left to the gentlemen most interested to convene meetings in each centre and later perhaps appoint representatives who would confer with Mr Collins in Wellington. This kind of thing was being pushed very strongly in Australia.—The correspondence was' received. ‘

Correspondence was received from Messrs A. and W. M’Carfhy with reference to through bills of lading to Dunedin wharf.— It was stated that certain steamers, especially irom New York, did definitely give bills of lading for Dunedin. The matter was referred to the Importers and Shippers’ Association, witfi an assurance of the chamber’s support. A letter was received from tho London Chamber of Commerce on the question of the interpretation of, the term “c.i.f.”—Mr Benson said that the practice in New Zea. land was undoubtedly that “c.i.f.” did not. ihclude exchange.—Others supported this statement, and it was decided to refov me matter to tho Committee to draft a letter in reply explaining the practice here.

The Secretary of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce wrote drawing attention to the proposal to advertise the'New Zealand court at Home 5y means of a “postcard day” on which suitable New Zealand postcards would bo sent from New Zealand to individuals in England _ shortly after the opening of the Exhibition.—The matter was referred to the Vigilance Committee for report. The Secretary of the Otago and Southland Committee of the British Empire Exhibition, 1924, wrote asking for support in its endeavour to obtain better facilities for New Zealanders visiting the Exhibition. He also wrote drawing attention to various publicity methods adopted elsewhere in the dominion. —The first matter was referred "to the executive. The second matter was relorrecl to the Vigilance Committee, with the request that he referred to the Expansion Leagulr-' and to the local inhibition Committee. Tno Exports Committee reported regarding a conference held with the traffic manager as to a proposed list of standard weights for railway purposes. That list had been agreed to except for hardware, about which the committee was still conferring. EMPIRE TRADE. At 8.30 a general meeting of members of the chamber was held to consider the adoption of a resolution or resolutions bearing on fhe question of Empire trade to be discussed at the Imperial Conference, to which Mr Massey is about to proceed. The secretary (Mr Hercus) read the resolution on this subject sent forward by the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. The President said the council had felt that the matter was one of too great importance for it to take upon itself to express the views of the whole of the members. It was a subject on, which there was wide difference of opinion, and so they had called the members together. Mr Massey on Saturday evening had already spoken very much on the lines of the resolution they nad previously prepared. Mr D. Phillips said they had felt that the Wellington resolutions had gone rather tar in / requesting Mr Massey to ask for imperial preference, and . in asking for the setting up of a commission. They had drawn up a resolution in- the following terms'‘Resolved that the chamber Sa in mil sympathy with the idea of ‘trade /within the Empire,’ and would welcome any preference, which the Mother Country could see her way to give to the (exports of the dominion, but recognises that the question is one affecting each portion of the Empire, and recommends the Prime Minister to confer with the representatives of the other dominions in order to see if some agreement can Be come to and a proposal as to Empire trade Jls elf laid before the Imperial Economic Council as representing the vietfs ot the Empire outsiae of Great Britain.” That expressed all they wanted to express and was yet hot too definite. Mr <i. B. AVtaers seconded the motion, wfilch, he said, was right on the lines suggested by the Associated Chambers of Great Britain. It was known in London that me agenda of the Imperial Conference was to be confined to five subjects as follows: —The development of ■ the natural resources of the Empire; inter-imperial commerce, shipping, and communications; technical research ; organisation of economic intelligence; and uniformity of the laws affecting trade. It would be unwise to propose anything But a general statement of the position such as Mr Phillips had moved.

Mr Benson expressed himself as in accord with the resolution, but said as far as he knew there had never been any complaint from New Zealand exporters as to the high freight on their exports. Perhaps Mr Massey might Be able to assist -them in this. He suggested that a clause ’might bo added to the resolution. y..

The resolution was adapted as moved. Air Benson then moved as a separate motion.that a reoommendation bo made to Air Massey that while at Home he use his influence to have freights reduced or some other assistance given in the interest of our exports. Mr Waters seconded the motion, which was carried. inis concluded the business.