CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19200, 17 June 1924, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. Tho monthly meeting of tho Council of tho Dunedin Chamber of Commerce was held last evening. Mr Peter Barr (president) occupied the chair, and there were 17 other members present. HONORARY AUDITORS. Messrs Moody and Smith were appointed honorary auditors for the balance of tho financial year. CONGRESS OF CHAMBERS. Circular letters were received from the British Imperial Council of Chambers of Commerce regarding the arrangements for tho tenth annual congress and asking for a subscription towards tho expenses. The President mentioned that the congress would be held in London next week, and that the chamber would be represented by Sir George Fenwick and Mr L. W. Harris. It was decided to guarantee 10 guineas towards tho expenses of the congress. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE IN FRANCK Mr J. W. Collins (Secretary of tho Department of Industries and Commerce) wrote stating that the Minister had accepted an offer from the British Chamber of Commerce at Marseilles to act as the New Zealand Government trade representative in France. The chamber was prepared to provide temporary office accommodation for any New Zealand citizens passing through Marseilles, and would provide trade information concerning France on request. Tho letter was received. BANK CHARGES. A communication was received from tho Wanganui Chamber of Commerce stating that complaint had been made in regard to tho charge imposed by tho various banks throughout the dominion for signing letters of indemnity in connection with the importation of overseas shipments where tho goods arrived prior to the receipt of documents. It was stated that the banks’ charge was 10s 6d for such sendees, and that it was considered excessive. It was pointed out that the banks did not incur any additional liability as they would not sign the letter if they had not got tho necessary security. It was considered that a fair charge for such service would bo 2s 6cL Tho President said that at the last conference a sub-committce of two Wellington members was set up to confer with the banks regarding their charges for inland exchanges, foreign exchanges, and for keeping accounts. He would move that the matter bo referred to that sub-committee to discuss with the authorities in Wellington. Mr Waters seconded tho motion. The President: Is it the opinion of the meeting that it is an excessive charge? Members: Absolutely. The motion was carried. PRIMAGE DUTY. The Secretary of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce wrote stating that the question of the repeal of the primage duty of 1 per cent., imposed as a war measure in 1815, had been considered. Tho chamber had approved of a suggestion that, the duty should be retained for the present and t.hd sum so collected utilised for publicity purposes and expended in advertising New Zealand abroad. TJje necessity for the development of the tourist traffic to New Zealand had been discussed very much recently, and as the primage duty fell upon the whole community it was considered that the money so obtained would be very wisely spent if used as suggested. The primage duty collected durng tho last few year s hud been as follows: —1919, £281,292; 1920, £573.792; 1921, £372,684; lt>^, £307,442: 1923, £410,685. Mr Waters moved that the chamber should support the Wellington Chamber. The motion was seconded by Mr Ibbotson. Mr Campbell said tho removal of the primage duty would be of little benefit to any one individual, and a lot might be done if the money were used in the way suggested. The President said he had no doubt that the argument was that the Government should spend a great deal more abroad than it did in advertising New Zealand. Mr Wqters said the chambers throughout New Zealand had been advocating a reduction in all war taxes, but it was suggested now that they should withdraw their request for the abolition of this special war tax on the understanding that the Government would apply the money to advertising purposes. The argument was that if ihe money was used in a judicious way for advertising the chambers would not object to tho duty. The motion was carried unanimously. LAND TAX. The Commissioner of Taxes wrote with reference to the question of a concession in regard to the late payment of land tax that it had been fully considered and it had been decided that there was no power to grant any concession. The Secretary of the Wellington Chamber of Conuneree wrote stating that the letter regarding cases of hardship owing to tho Commissioner of Taxes refraining from enforcing prompt payment of land tax from the original owners and then years later claiming the amount (with penalty) from tho present holders or mortgagees had been considered, and it had been decided to forward a copy to tho local Law Society. Tho writer stated that opinions were expressed that tho matter was one that should be covered by the agreement for sale and purchase as prepared by the solicitors for tho various parties and that it would rot be advisable to advocate that o', i-ims for unpaid' rates anti taxes bo registered t gainst the titles as was required with other encumbrances, such as mortgages. At the suggestion of the prc.-ihni it was decided to refer the correspondence to the local Law Society with a recommendation that it should take tho matter up. THROUGH TRAIN SERVICE. A letter was received from tho Invroargill Chamber of Commerce with reference to the through train service. The writer stated that under the winter time-table Invercargill was in a far worse position than Dunedin. Whereas Dunedin got throi-ga iauinoction with Christchurch and the North Island daily, Invercargill had it only throe times a week. It was imperative that Invercargill should retain this tri-weekly through connection, otherwise it would mean two days for mails and passengers to reach Christchurch and Wellington. The only thing that could be done was to keep tho matter in mind and press the department to institute tho summer time-table far earlier than it had done previously. The executive of the Invercargill Chamber was satisfied that if facilities for travelling in tho late spring wore provided and the increased service advertised the public would take advantage of the opportunities offered. The department was being asked to adhere to the practice of delaying the Invercargill train at Christchurch in the event of tho ferry boat arriving at Lyttelton late on Saturday mornings. Tho Chairman said he thought tho department was doing what was requested in delaying tho departure of the train when the ferry steamer was late. With reference to tho suggestion at tho last meeting of getting a daily train from Christchurch to Invercargill, he thought it was meant that that should ho in addition to tho existing winter service. He thought they should explain that they had no intention of interfering with the present winter service, which was a minimum, _ _ Mr 11. C. Campbell said he did not think they could do anything further this winter, but he thought that before next, winter there would be a great many alterations. It was decided to explain the position to the Invercargill Chamber.