CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21600, 22 March 1932, Page 6

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE The monthly meeting of the executive of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce was held last night; present—Messrs P. 0. Smellie (in the chair), C. J. Darracott, J. R. Fairbairn, S. Lawn, R. Duncan, A. Mumford, J. L. Passmore, George Simpson, jun., C. B. Barrowclough, J. Y. Love, D. M'G. Reid, W. E. Earnshaw, H. L. Gibson, J. P. P. Clouston, E. Sliced, A. Miller, J. C. Begg, J. M. White, N. Falconer, I. M'Farlane. New Members.—The following were elected members:—Messrs Woolworths, Ltd. (Renwick Christie), C. H. Morrall. Mr T. C. Ross (president) sent an apology for absence owing to indisposition. DEATH OF MR J, A. AINGE. ’ Reference was made to the death of Mr J. A. Ainge, a member of the chamber, and a motion of condolence with Mrs Ainge was passed, members standing. RAILWAY TO WHARF. The secretary stated that a reply had been forwarded to the Harbour Board agreeing to the advisability of delaying for 12 months the question of linking up the railway with Victoria wharf. At the same time, the chamber desired to stress the fact that, with the present high rate of charges (the highest in New Zealand), any extra charge for haulage or receiving and delivery -would make shipments inward and outward prohibitive. The reply forwarded by the secretary was confirmed. EXECUTIVE REPORT.

The report of the executive was as follows:

Dunedin Training College.—At the request of the executive, Mr L. Deans Ritchie represented this chamber in the deputation to tbe Minister to urge the retention of the Dunedin Training College. Our thanks are due to Mr Ritchie for his services in this matter.

Vacancy Otago Harbour Board.—To fill the vacancy in the Otago Harbour Board the chamber and Manufacturers’ Association recommended Mr Robert Duncan, and it is hoped that an announcement will be made shortly of the appointment. Visit of Mr Roussell, General Manager, Railways.—Mr P. G, Roussell, general manager, Railways, has intimated that he will be in Dunedin on April 7 and 8, and arrangements are being made to discuss railway matters with him. Public Service Association Respecting Cuts in Salaries.—The Otago section of the New Zealand Public Service Association wrote soliciting the support of the chamber against suggested proposals of further reductions in salaries of civil servants. As the matter is being gone into by the Economy Commission, it was decided to do nothing until the report of the commission had been made public. Annual Meeting Invercargill Chamber of Commerce. —Mr John C. Begg represented this chamber at the annual meeting of the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce on March 10. Territorial Camps.—Major-general Sin-clair-Burgess has written expressing appreciation of the practical manner in which the chamber rendered assistance by recommending employers to grant leave of absence to those of their employees who wished to attend the territorial bivouac.

Flock House. —The Dunedin R.S.A. advises that the report of the conference at Flock House, Bulls, on February 24, is now available, and that a meeting of locally interested bodies will be held on Tuesday, March 22. The report was adopted. UNEMPLOYMENT BOARD.

The following resolution was submitted by the executive for consideration:— “ This executive is strongly of opinion that the chairman of the Unemployment Board should not be a member of Cabinet. The portfolios held by any Cabinet Minister, and the work of tbe Cabinet generally, are onerous and demand’ a Minister’s whole time. Also, the magnitude of the work undertaken by the Unemployment Board

is such as to require the full time of the chairman,” It was decided to adopt the resolution, and to forward copies to other chambers throughout New Zealand for support and consideration. SOUTH ISLAND PORTS. A letter was read from the Wellington Chamber of Commerce regarding direct shipping to South Island porta of the Dominion. "The subject of a better allocation of direct vessels from the Old Country has been before this chamber lately,” said the writer. “The subject has been of especial interest to you on past occasions, and I have been directed to send to you a copy of the representations which have been forwarded from this chamber through the Overseas Ship Owners’ Allotment Committee with the hope that time may be lessened for consignees in this and the southern district on the receipt of goods following arrival of documents.” —A copy of the representations referred to was received, together with comments on the matter by Mr A. H. Allen, who represented Dunedin and Invercargill Chambers at a conference in Wellington. Mr Allen added that a larger percentage of vessels was scheduled to make first ports of cal in South Island during the coming year. The Allotment Committee had pointed out that the import and export trade of the South Island did not compare favourably with the North Island. The letter was referred to the executn°' RUSSIAN TRADE. Correspondence was read from the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire, also a letter from the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, in connection with Russian trade with Great Britain. The Primary Industries Committee reported on the position, and Mr Be<?g (chairman of the committee) moved the following motion: —“This chamber views with great concern the unfair competition with Dominion products brought about by the imports to Great Britain from Russia, and particularly at the importation of considerable quantities of butter. This produce can be exported from Russia only by reason of the unfair conditions of labour, and_ this trade forms part of a declared policy of hostility to Great Britain ns evidenced by the Five Year Plan. The Associated Chambers be notified of the opinion of this chamber and that New Zealand delegates to the Ottawa Conference be impressed with the necessity of supporting measures sufficiently strong _to bring about the limitation or abolition of this unfair trade; particularly as it is almost entirely to the benefit of Russia inasmuch as the exports to Russia from Great Britain in return amount to a comparatively negligible Quantity, tbe ratio being 1 to 4 or 5 in favour of Russia. The trade between this Dominion and Russia is at present very little, and is not likely to become an immediate menace. In support of the motion, Mr Begg said that the letter from the Canterbury Chamber called attention to the menace of increasing Russian trade. The suggestion was that the various chambers, if they were in agreement, should make representations to Associated Chambers with a view to having the matter gone into at the conference at Ottawa in order that they might take steps to press British interests and, if possible, have some check put on the trade. The part that affected the Dominion was the butter export to Great Britain. The chairman said he understood that it was in order to get machinery tor their own requirements that Russia was seeking trade, and to secure that trade she was compelled to export her goods and sell them in the best market open to her. The chairman asked if it was correct to say that the trade formed part of a declared policy of hostility to Great Britain as evidenced by the Five rear Plan. This statement, he thought, might be deleted. . , Mr Begg expressed the view that there wa s a connection between the Five icar Plan and hostile trading, and he understood that some Russian statesmen had declared as much. He would not object to the deletion of the clause. Mr Love thought that Great Britain would ultimately have to trade with Russia He could not see how the countries of Europe could live in peace if such trade were not carried on. The chairman quoted from a report prepared bv the London Chamber oi Commerce to show that trade between Britain and Russia had not always been carried out on an equitable basis. Britain had been paying cash and Russia had been paving by means of long-term credit. The report was adopted with the deletion of the words “and this trade forms part of a declared policy of hostility to Great Britain, as evidenced by the Five Year Plan.”

GOLD-MINING INDUSTRY. Mr Fairbairn, convener of the special committee on the gold-mining industry, presented an interim report to the effect that the committee was looking into the whole matter, and it was hoped that when

Mr Kimbell, Under-secretary of Mines, came to Dunedin, probably in two or three weeks, the committee would hold a conference with him. , , .. The sub-committee was thanked for its efforts. AMERICAN TRADE,

Mr E. West, assistant Trade Comifiissioner for the United States, writing from Wellington, stated that he had recently visited towns in the North and South Islands, and it was apparent to him that various chambers had a considerable misconception of the position of American trade with New Zealand. Mr Wise forwarded a copy of an article recently compiled, setting out certain facts in regard to American tariff legislation. The letter was received. MOTORISTS’ INTERESTS.

Mr J. L. Passmore, president of the Otago Motor Club, wrote placing before the committee the difficult position in which motorists will be placed with regard to the recommendations ot the Economy Commission recently placed before Parliament. The club appreciated the difficult position of the Government in the matter of finance, and motorists were quite prepared to do their utmost to assist the Government. They also teit that they could not make any objection to the fact that ear-marked moneys collected from motorists for improvement of roads was coiner to b® used for the relict oi the Consolidated Fund —in fact, they supported that suggestion ns a temporary measure on the clear understanding that immediately the, financial Potion improved they should revert to the piesent conditions set out in the Main Highways Act “We are very firmly of the opinion,” said the writer, “ that the Act should not be amended or repealed, and we are fully convinced that the Mam Highways Board being entirely free iiom political influence is able to give motorists, county councils, and borough councils complete satisfaction in the *}f ndllI ’ g of motor taxation. We feel quite convinced that this will he supported by county councils and other interested bodies, and we sincerely hope you will be able to pass a resolution approving of the principle we set out, which is, leave the Highways Act as it is, despite the present financial difficulties. ,• V The letter wag referred to the executive for consideration. DUNEDIN POST OFFICE. Mr Barrowclough presented _ a report on the latest information received with regard to the new Dunedin Post Office. The report was as follows: Recently a very full report was put before this chamber summarising the reasons why the Government should cariy out its undertaking to proceed with the erection of the Dunedin Post Office, xho chamber, in adopting the report, expressed its willingness to bear its tan share of the burden of necessary economies, but also expressed its very farm conviction that no other similar works should be undertaken in priority to tiie Dunedin Post; Office. This, expression ot opinion- was duly submitted to the Minister. , Recently word was received that the State Fire Office was proceeding with the erection of a new building in Christchurch. Later a report came to hand that the Government Life Insurance Building in Wellington (a comparatively new building) was being demolished ana that the Government intended to erect an up-to-date building in its stead. Before taking any action in the matter inquiries were made, and in each case the Minister advised that the work was having precedence to the Dunedin Post Office, the excuse being that the work was being financed from the accumulated lunds ol the department concerned. In view of the fact that the Post Office is now on a strictly commercial basis, and has built up considerable reserves, it was decided to write for definite information as to its funds. The lion. Munster of Finance, in reply, admitted that the reserves of the Postal Department, as shown in the last published balance sheet, stood at £3,452,172. Ho also admitted that for tho year ended March, 1931, £400,000 (considerably more than the estimated cost of the Post Office) was set aside from that year’s income towards a Renewal and Replacement of Assets 1' unci. This sum was invested in Government securities. In other words, the Post Office reserves were used to assist the Government through its present financial crisis. There is no reason why the reserves of the State Fire Office and the Government Life Insurance Office (being used for the buildings in Christchurch and Wellington) should not have been similarly invested in Government securities to tide the country over its present crisis. If necessary, they could have been used to take over part of the Post Office reserves to free money for the purpose of building in Dunedin. The Government is making continual raids on the Postal Department’s funds for its own purposes, and then says u has no funds to carry out its obligations to Dunedin. Yet it sanctions the use ot reserves in other departments to carry out buildings elsewhere. In view of the transfer of £400,000 referred to it would seem that when tenders were called the

necessary finance was available. These funds have since been invested in Government, securities and the money applied for other purposes, • . In view of these facts it is felt that this chamber should leave no stone unturned to have the work in Dunedin proceeded with. If the needs of the Dominion demand it, Dunedin will make necessary sacrifices, but it is entitled to insist that . other centres should make similar sacrifices. The report was adopted, and it was decided to forward copies to the Dunedin members of Parliament with a request that they might bring what influence they have to bear in the matter. YOUNG PEOPLE’S UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM. The sub-committee submitted the following report:— 1. Registration of all unemployed boys and gins who are seeking employment. This, in the case of boys and girls at school, but in search of work, or, leaving school without having work to go to, should be compulsory. On discharge from work they should again register, and advise the registrar on re-appomtment. Registrar to be officer of Labour Department, who should keep a full record of physical, personal, and vocational characteristics, In the case of all boys and girls other than above, matter of registration to bo optional. We think that benefits of registration would be such that compulsory clauses would be unnecessary in the case of older boys and girls. 2. Appointment of local committees representing chambers of commerce, Employers’ Association, Manufacturers’ Association, primary and secondary schools, labour interests, women’s organisations, and rural interests, along with Government representation, preferably from Labour Department. This is on the lines of the Dunedin Vocational Guidance Committee, which is functioning excellently, and doing beneficial and practical work for boys and girls. . 3. Appointment of full time vocational guidance officers, preferably men with good knowledge of industry and affairs generally; such officers to be under controi of local committees referred to in No. 2. It is essential that vocational guidance officers should be most carefully selected. They must be good advisers of children and parents, and have the confidence of employees and sympathy of employers. The matter of ability to give good practical advice to parents, as well as children, cannot be too strongly stressed. . . . 4. Government recognition and financial support of boys and girls unemployed problem essential. Support might be given by subsidy of f for f on contributions locally collected, up to, say, £SOO in the case of Dunedin, to meet salary and expenses of vocational guidance officers. Probably not more than from £3OOO to £SOOO would be required by way of State aid. We consider essential that local interest should be stimulated and a, realisation of obligation on the part of local interests as referred to in clause 2; and that there should not be a feeling that the problem is one for the State only. 5. Extended Technical Education. —No boy or girl seeking employment should be permitted to be idle; attendance at school for such should be compulsory. Such extended education to be under control of technical schools, and the additional expense to be a charge on unemployment funds. Boys and girls between 18 and 19 should, during periods of enforced idleness through inability to secure work, be allowed the sum of 5s each, or 7s 6d in the case of those between 19 and 20, provided they attend and continue to attend classes provided whilst so unemployed. We consider unemployed boys and girls between 18 and 20 as the greatest potential menace, and we think that comparatively small cost of State financial assistance would be more than compensated for by prevention of or reduction of juvenile crime, which is becoming more and more evident, and apparently increasing seriously. 0. Apprentices’ Awards. —We do not recommend the scrapping of existing awards. We recommend the temporary relaxing of terms of existing contracts under Arbitration Court awards, Shops and Offices Act, and Factories Act. We think that all provisions, where payment of wages is based on age, should be abolished. Quotas of apprentices should be revised and enlarged where possible and desirable. We recommend that , wages of appretnices be reduced, and wages adjustable according to state of trade from time to tjnie. We express the opinion that wages of apprentices should be fixed on a percentage of wages of a journeyman tradesman. We think that 10s is sufficient for the first year of apprenticeship, and in the best interests of boys and girls. We consider that provision should be made for the appointment of juniors without apprenticeship where employers are not able or willing to undertake the responsibility of entering into a contract. In such cases we recommend that wages be fixed on a higher basis than apprentices’ wages to compensate for the casual nature of employment. ' . 7. Suitable boys must be placed on the land. Our previous scheme should be

pressed on the Government. Although times have changed greatly* and for the worse for farmera, since the scheme' advocatefi 12 months ago, we are still of the opinion that the scheme is sound and that Government subsidy should be assured. Boys to be controlled by local committees, as previously arranged, along with farmers’ selection and supervisory committees. State help absolutely essential. We are of opinion that it would pay the State to pay the farmer to train the boys rather than to establish farm training school;*, which, in our opinion, are too costly; and could not sufficiently cope with the problem, or training camps which are not good morally or otherwise for boys. , , . 8. Proportion of unemployed funds from increased taxation must be made available to assist in solution of this most pressing problem. Since employed boys and girls subscribe to those funds they are justly entitled to have proportion set aside to assist in practical schemes submitted by committees to the Government, such as recommended in Nos. 3,4, and 5 herein. Decision of Government should be speedy, and help made availoble at once owing to approach of winter. Mr Connolly, vocational guidance, officer, addressed the meeting on the subject of employment for young people, and was thanked for his remarks. Mr Fairbairn, chairman of the sub-com-mittee, said that reports and suggestions had been received by the Dunedin Chamber from different chambers in New Zealand, and had been referred to the subcommittee to co-ordinate. The n0 v 7 presented was the outcome of the subcommittteeV inquiries and consideration over a considerable period. He admitted that some of the clauses were controversial, such as the extended technical education clause, but the committee was unanimously of the opinion that something of that kind should be done. Mr Fairbairn dealt with the other clauses, and then moved the adoption of the report. Mr Love seconded the motion. The chairman asked how many boys and girls would require, to be provided for. Mr Fairbairn said the committee had not that information from other centres. Several members spoke favourably ot the assistance given to employers by Mr Connolly’s department. The motion for the adoption of. the report was carried. The report will be sent to the Associated Chambers for consideration, and copies will also be torwarded to other chambers in the Vo minion.