CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21362, 16 June 1931, Page 11

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the council of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce was held last night, and was attended by the president (Mr A. C. Cameron) and Messrs A. Miller, T. C. Ross, N. Falconer, C. B. Barrowclough, N. Oram, R. Duncan, H. L. Smith, J. R. Fairbairn, A. H. Allen, A. H. Templeton, J. M. White, W. G. Kindley, P. O. Sraellie, and H. Turner. COUPON SYSTEM. The secretary of the Associated Chambers of Commerce (Mr G. W. Massingham) wrote stating that the present and future position of the Coupon Trading Bill had been considered by the executive. In view of the almost universal objections to coupon trading and the strength and unanimity of the representations made to the Government last December, and the promise given to the deputation by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, grave concern was felt at the apparent intention of the Government to drop this measure. It would undoubtedly be necessary for them to renew with energy their representations with respect to the matter. To that end they suggested that the Dunedin chamber forward direct to the Minister a resolution expressing the opinion of the chamber, and that at the same time it should acquaint the local members of Parliament with its views. Co-operation with the local branch of the Employers Federation and Retailers’ Association was suggested. If tbe Bill was to be passed next session early action would be required. The chairman reported that the executive was taking action along the lines suggested in the letter. Mr Falconer, who is chairman of the Dunedin Hardware Merchants’ Association, stated that the present coupon system was affecting the hardware trade in Dunedin, and from his own knowledge and from careful inquiries among other hardware merchants and retailers in the city he was 'able to say quite definitely that this system was having a very distinct effect upon certain sections of business. They were continually hearing from customers of goods which they had ob tained through this system. Some items, of goods had been affected more than others, those particularly concerned being cutlery, watches, clocks, electro-plated ware, pewter ware, toilet table accessories lawn tennis rackets, fountain pens, and leather attache cases. The falling off in sales of these articles was from 2a per cent, to 33 1-3 per cent. It was the opinion of the hardware merchants thai the coupon system was a very unfair method of trading, diverting the trade from the regular importer, and that tht principle of leading people to believe that they were getting something for nothing was entirely wrong. They trusted that the Associated Chambers would do their utmost to induce the Government to introduce legisjation to combat this menace at the earliest possible moment. Mr Smith supported the remarks of Mr Falconer, and stated that it seemed to be generally known in Wellington that the Government intended to do nothing. What influences had been brought to bear he did not, know. The practice, was opSosed by every Retailers’ Association in Tew Zealand. They were unanimous that it was a menace to trade, and should be abolished. In spite of that the Government appeared to be inactive. The trade should be organised so that pressure could be brought to bear to nave something done during the coming session. The chairman eaid that the executive would not relax its efforts. j Mr Allen suggested that a suitable resolution should be drawn up by the executive and sent to the Prime Minister. Mr Smith said that a deputation from the Associated Chambers of Commerce would wait on the Prime Minister thie week. - Mr Falconer said that an unfortunate feature was that the people who used the system obtained the goods which they distributed direct from the manufacturer. The goods were not being obtained through the wholesalers. It was decided to adopt Mr Allen's suggestion, and telegraph a resolution of protest to the Prime Minister. THE MAUI POMARE. A reply was received from the Prime Minister (Mr G, W. Forbes) to a letter drawing his attention to a report that the vessel was to be sold, and protesting against such a step. The Prime Minister stated that he wished to make the Government’s attitude clear with respect to the vessel and the services she carried out. As was well known, the vessel had been provided originally for the purposes of a connection with Niue Island, private enterprise having failed to provide a service with thie outlying portion of the Dominions territory that would enable a fruit trade to be developed, or, indeed, that would furnish any satisfactory connection whatsoever with that island. At the same time a fruit trade with Samoa had been impossible of development for lack of suitable 1 shipping facilities. The Government, therefore, had decided to provide its own shipping service between the islands and New Zealand ports ot the North and South Islands. He could not too strongly emphasise the fact that this Government service had been inaugurated only because private enterprise had failed to provide a suitable service, and the Government’s attitude had been consistent from its inauguration—that unless or until private enterprise came forward and provided a service equivalent to the present service with satisfactory guarantees as to its continuance and with direct connections to south and thence to North Island ports the Government intended to continue to carry on the service. The Government would, however, be open at any time to receive offers to take this service over subject, as before stated, to the satisfactory guarantees being forthcoming. He was also pleased to assure the chamber that the vessel would under no circumstances be disposed of without due public notice being given and competitive prices invited by public advertisement. The chairman: The letter contained the points which we want. We have no objection provided these points are safeguarded. REPRESENTATIVES OF PAYERS OF DUES. The acting-secretary of the Otago Harbour Board (Mr J. Renton) wrote in reply to a letter from the chamber with respect to voting for the representatives of payers of dues. Mr Renton stated that the matter was being looked into with a view' to making provision for the points raised. These proposals would be submitted to the chamber before being forwarded to the Harbours Association or the Marine Department. The chairman expressed appreciation of the action which the board was taking. EXECUTIVE’S REPORT. The executive submitted the following report:— Customs Charge for Parcels through Post Office. —The matter of the charge of 6d per parcel now being made by the Postal Department for parcels on which Customs duty is payable was represented to the Associated Chambers. It was pointed out that the Customs Department pays a sum annually to the Post Office for attending to this work, and that it was questionable whether the Postal Department could legally make the charge of 6d per parcel, as the amount paid at the office of posting should cover all postal charges. Customs charges have now to be paid for in the ordinary way. Associated Chambers is going further into the matter and will advise later. Manufacturers’ Association.—The executive wishes to congratulate the Manufacturers’ Association on the 1 success of New Zealand Industries Week and is glad that similar exhibitions of New Zealand industries are being arranged for in other centres of the province. Railway Board.—The executive tendered the congratulations of the members of the chamber to Mr G. W. Reid on his appointment to the Railway Board. We are glad to find that Dunedin is represented and that Mr Reid has been assured that he has the entire confidence of the commercial community. Canadian Tariff.—When the alteration of the Canadian tariff was announced representations were made to the executive

that many Dunedin merchants had supplies of Canadian goods in bond or afloat. The executive immediately, wrote asking the Associated Chambers to represent this aspect to the Government and urge that Canadian imports in bond or, afloat prior to the date of the increase in the tariff should be exempt from the increased duties. We are glad to see that our request was acceded to. The report was adopted. MELBOURNE-SOUTH ISLAND SERVICE. Mr Allen drew attention to the present position with respect to the MelbourneBluff steamer service, which had been totally suspended. He stated that if the chamber allowed the matter to lapse the position might go from bad to worse. If it were content to do nothing the service would be pushed into the background. The Union Company showed a lack of interest in the service, and did not seem willing to reinstate it. He felt that lb spite of the economic conditions the chamber must take steps to urge the Government to reinstate the service during the summer months. If the summer were allowed to go by without a service, much that had been done in the cultivation of trade and tourist traffic would be lost, and it might take years tho recover the lost ground. He moved —“That the Government’s attention be again drawn to the fact that during the suspension of the Melbourne-South Island shipping service this island has no direct passenger connection with anv shipping port in the world other than Wellington, and that this handicap must inevitably kill our tourist traffic and seriously retard the natural progress of the South Island. That with a view to the early reinstatement of the service inquiries be made from the Prime Minister as to what step the Government proposes to take to induce the Union Steam Ship Company to provide adequate passenger connections between Melbourne and South Islands ports during the coming summer months at least.” Mr Fairbairn seconded the motion. He admitted, however, that trade'between Australia and New Zealand at the present time was practically nil, and was likely to remain so for some time. The motion was unanimously carried. CALENDAR REFORM.. The Rev. George Miller wrote stating that at a meeting of the Council of Christian Congregations the following resolution had been unanimously carried;— “That this council views sympathetically the proposals for calendar reform promulgated by the League of Nations and the International Chamber of Commerce; that while recognising the possible objection to such reform from an ecclesiastical standpoint, it does not regard such objections as in any degree insuperable; that in so far as the proposed reform would contribute to greater fixity and regularity in the establishment of dates it nas the hearty support and approval of this council; and that the motion be sent to the various church courts.”—Received. , MERCHANDISE FOR JAPAN. . Messrs Neill and Co., Ltd., aa agents for the Osaka Shisen Kaisha, wrote stating that they had been instructed to accept, free of charge, shipments not exceeding one ton of samples of merchandise, etc., consigned to the Kobe Chamber of Commerce and Industry.—Received.