CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19333, 20 November 1924, Page 11

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

CONFERENCE IN WANGANUI THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. (Per United Press Association.) WANGANUI, November 19. For the first time since the inauguration of the association tho annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of Now Zealand is being held in a centre outside the four chief cities. Tho conference was opened here this morning. The Mayor, Mr Hope-Gibbons, welcomed the delegates, his remarks being supplemented by Mr W. Brown (president of the Wanganui Chamber) and Mr W. A. Veitch, ALP. Tho Chairman briefly welcomed the delegates and also the visitors—Mr J. W. Collins, of the Department of Industries and Commerce, Air D. Rodie, commercial manager of the Railway Department, and Air Alessenger, of the Publicity Department. The president of the association, Air A. F. Roberts, of Wellington, who is absent in England, forwarded a brief written address, in the course of which he referred to tho activities of chambers of commerce. He said that this question had been discussed by many chambers throughout, the dominion with a view to extending the scope of tho chambers to cover many phases of public activity now carried on by other bodies. During his stay in the United Kingdom ho had ascertained that it was the uniform policy of the chambers to coniine their activities to the lines that had been adopted in New Zealand in the past, the consensus of opinion being that a chamber of commerce was intended to function on the lines that its name indicated. He recommended that there was ample scope for the chambers’ energies in the dominion in assisting tho development of trade and commerce, and that they should continue on tho lines followed hitherto. PROSPERITY OF NEW ZEALAND. From information he was able to obtain, while in London it might safely be stated that there was no more prosperous part of th e Empire to-day than New Zealand. Her recovery from the post-war slump had been extraordinarily rapid. This-, he thought, might be attributed partly to the wonderful recuperative capacity of the country itself, and partly to the industry, energy, and determination of tho producing and commercial community. He felt sure that these factors had entered into the recovery to a considerable extent, in addition to tho enormous improvements that had taken place in tho various markets that affect New Zealand produce. He was satisiiod that in no other part of the li.mpue did the farmer and business man stick more closely to his job and put all his energy into hia task in bad times. IMPERIAL TRADE. Dealing with Imperial trade he impressed upon delegates the advisability of a eontimmr.ce of the policy of trading with Great Britain They must realise that it was to the United Kingdom that they must look for a market for their produce. At the present time Europe did not want tho dominion’s produce or it demanded a quality that was'below that produced in the dominion, and there was no doubt that in Great Britain and elsewhere the quality of New Zealand produce stood out by itself. They could maintain Britain’s buying power only by purchasing all their requirements from her. At tho present time the United Kingdom was faced with keen commercial competition from Germany, and it was difficult to foresee what would bo the outcome of the recent agreement made with her, but, it. had certainly been received with auvlhing but favour‘by tho commercial interests of Groat Britain. Ho was convinced that it was all important at, this time for every part of tho Empire to stand by tho Old Country, and by their support help her to win through her post-war troubles. TRADE CONFERENCES. Air Roberts mentioned that ho had bsen instrumental in holding during September and October a series of trade conferences between representatives of every part of the Empire and representatives of all the different, bodies of manufacturers in tho United Kingdom, and he was hopeful that some solid results would be obtained. Speaking of the Empire Exhibition, ho said that ho considered that tho results could not bo reckoned in pounds, shillings, and pence, and ho was sure that from the educational point of view the Exhibition had been an enormous success. He had no hesitation in saying that so far ns tho dominion was concerned the effects would be far-reaching, and it was impossible to estimate the value, of the propaganda that had emanated from their effort. NEW ZEALAND’S WEMBLEY EXHIBIT. Reftwing to the adverse criticism of the Now Zealand Pavilion, Air Roberts said that the object of the exhibit was to interest, tho people of Great Britain, and he had no hesitation in saying that this had been done. It undoubtedly excelled in the display of those products which formed the vast, bulk of the dominion’s trade, and for good solid British propaganda tho display was undoubtedly satisfactory. He was sure it would keep up the wonderful reputation that ’New Zealand and her products had in Great Britain. J AI PE RIAL PREFER ENOE. Imperial preference was a thorny question in tho United Kingdom, and it was quite apparent, that a majority of the common people were in favour of some, scheme of Imperial preference, but the opposition of the Free-traders was keen. He was sure, however, that there was a steady process of conversion to preference taking place, and sooner or later on tho principle would become established. The Empire Exhibition had had a considerable effect in this direction. In conclusion, Mr P.oberts paid a tribute to the work of the late secretary, Air H. I). Vickery, and welcomed the new one, Air C. M. Bowden. The Chairman proposed that the conference cxnress its hearty thanks to Mr Roberts for having found time amid his pressing duties to write his presidential address, and also as New Zealand Commissioner at the Wembley Exhibition for his activity in the interests of Imperial trade.—This was carried. REMITS DEALT WITH. Tb.e following remits were carried: •'The conference expresses general approve; of the unanimous recommendations of the Taxation Commission and satisfaction that a reduction in the rates of income tax was approved hv Parliament, being convinced that such reduction is in the interests of i be counivy, but regrets that the Minister of finance has not indicated his acceptance of the further recommendations of the com-rnis-ion.” “ The conference urges (a) the abolition of the .special rates on income from debentures; (b) that the Government act upon the recommendations of the commission preparatory to a change in tho incidence on

incomes of companies and of individuals: (c) that all State and public body trading and public utility concerns should come under the provisions of the Land and Income Tax Acts, and be charged land and income tax to the same extent as private enterprises.” “That section 147 of the Land and Income Tax Act bo amended by the deletion of tho words in clause 1, ‘at any time thereafter,’ and substituting therefor the words ‘within 12 months from the date of such default.’ ” ‘‘That tho Government he urged to proceed with ‘The Companies Bill, 1922,’ provided that full opportunity be given for tho taking of evidence thereon.” ‘‘That tho provision tinder section. 166. sub-section 2, of ‘The Companies Act, 1908,’ requiring the full subscription of the original capital of a private company bo made applicable also to subsequent capital issues.” “That the Legislature Act should be amended to place retailers in tho same position ns factories by removing tho provision for compulsory closing on election day, but providing that employees be given reasonable time off to vote.” “That whereas tho statutory minimum wage ia based upon the assumed requirements of a married man with two children or equivalent dependents, whilst tho responsibilities of three-fourths of tho wageearners are admittedly less than that assumed, Parliament be urged to insist upon tho adoption of a more equitable standard.” ‘That, with a view to in the meantime modifying in some measure tho disparity in tho position of those with responsibilities and those without under the present conditions, _ Parliament bo urged to consider tho advisability of reducing tho present income tax exemption from £309 to £2OO, subject to the usual exemption for dependents and insurance.” Mr Limn said if the modification were made it would bo the means of levelling up an inequality, Tho younger man without family responsibilities would have to pay hia share. The growth of population and larger families should be encouraged. Mr Machin said ho thought that it was a clumsy way of getting at one section by penalising tho other. ‘‘That the Bankruptcy Act be amended on the lines indicated in tho report of the special committee set up by tho Wellington Chamber of Commerce, niicl that, the Minister of Justice bo once again pressed to meet the oft-repeated demands of the commercial community for the revision of our bankruptcy legislation.” “That the Shops and Offices Act should bo amended to permit retailers to observe tho usual Friday or late nights in Christmas and New' Year weeks, as with two holidays occurring in each week this could not be considered a hardship on the staffs.” Tlie following remit was lost:— “That the Government be urged to bring down legislation allowing donations, contributions. or gifts for tho use of hospitals, asylums for the blind, national objects, and charitable institutions, to an amount, not exceeding 15 per cent, of the taxpayers’ income to be free of Income tax, and that legacies for these specified purposes be free of death duties.’’