CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19957, 26 November 1926, Page 8

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

DISCUSSION OF REMITS.

cSfecial to Daily Times.i WELLINGTON, November 25. The annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce was continued today, when a large number of remits were discussed, and the office-bearers for the ensuing year elected. SOUTH ISLAND. Shipping matters were discussed for some time, and special stress was Laid by the southern delegates on the desirability of improving the services to the South Island ports. The following remits w-ere carried:— That the conference reaffirms the resolutions passed at previous conferences as to the necessity for a flat rate of freight between San Francisco, Vancouver, and the main ports of New Zealand being a condition of all future ma' 1 contracts. That the Governi ent be urged to make inquiries as to the expediency of using the Panama route for mail services. In view of the South Island’s dependence for its welfare and development upon regular and sufficient steamer services with Australia and elsewhere, the Government be urged to arrange for a regular and more satisfactory shipping service between Melbourne and the South Island ports. That with a view to the removal of the present disability under which the South Island trading community is labouring in the matter of steamer services from the East Coast of America and the West Coast of England, this conference urges the Overseas Shipowners’ Committee to adopt a system whereby each of the main ports of the Dominion will, as far as possible, receive equal treatment in the matter, of the first arrivals and final calls of these steamers. That this conference recommends that the Government be approached with a view to seeing that provision is made whereby the public of the Dominion may obtain, by direct shipments to the main ports, better supplies of the fruits grown in the islands of the Pacific Ocean. ORDERS-IN-COUNCIL. Another protest against legislation by Order-in-Council was made, and the following remit was carried: — This conference reaffirms the opinion expressed last year that the tendency to institute important legislation by means of Order-in-Council is causing serous concern and uncertainty in commercial circles. The conference considers that the exercise of the powers of legislation by Order-in-Council is justifiable only for emergency legislation, or to provide the necessary machinery and regulations under Acts of Parliament, and when so exercised should be ratified by Parliament as early as possible. Mr C. P. Agar (Canterbury) in moving the remit, stressed the necessity of making a strong protest against Government by Order-in-Council. Their rights as citizens were being filched by such a method of legislation, and Parliament was being robbed of its functions. Mr A. Mackenzie (Wellington) supported the remit. The President (Mr A. H. Maokrell) said that when the Chambers of Commerce previously protested against legislation by Order-in-Council, the Government asked for specific They did not have long to wait to provide such an instance, for the Motor Omnibus Regulations were introduced by Order-in-Council. “We have hoard a lot about less Government in business,’’ said Mr Mackrell, “but I am afraid that they have not quite learned how to practise that sentiment yet.” He thought they should continue to make vigorous protests against legislation by Order-in-Council,-especially when such legislation interfered with private enterprise. The remit was adopted, “AUSTRALASIA.” Strong objection to the use of the term “Australasia” in relation to Australia and New Zealand and references to the illeffects it had on the Dominion were made, and the following remit was passed: That this conference urges upon the incoming executive the advisability of_ an intensified effort in the direction of eliminating the use of the word “Australasia” in press, public, and company references to Australia and New Zealand; also that action be taken for the discouragement of the appoint of “Australasian” agents. OFFICE-BEARERS ELECTED. The following were elected officers for the ensuing year: —President, Mr W. Machin (Christchurch); \ vice-president, Mr D. J. M’Gowan (Wellington); executive—Messrs J. Simpson and A, M’Kenzie (Wellington), Mr 01 P. Agar (Christchurch), Mr F. A. tHe)laby (Auckland) and Mr A. H. Mackrell (Invercargill). The next conference will be held in Christchurch.