CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21646, 17 May 1932, Page 9

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MEETING OF COUNCIL The monthly meeting of the council of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce was held last night; present—Messrs T. C. Ross (president), I. M'Farlane, S. Lawn, H. C. Campbell, R. Duncan, J. Y. Love, J. R. Fairbairn, J. P. P. Clouston, A. Mumford, A. Miller, R. C. Burgess, W. E. Earnshaw, A. H. Allen, J. G. Dykes, H. L. Gibson, E. Sheed, D. M'Gregor Reid, J. G. Jeffery, C. J. Wood, J. M. White, George Simpson, jun, J. C. Begg, A. C. Cameron, J. B. M’Kinlay, and P. O. Smellie.

It was decided to forward a letter of sympathy to Mr E. A. Rosevear on the death of his wife’. ANZAC DAY.

Mr John Fuller, Sydney, wrote: —“I would like you and your members to take observation as to the merits of Anzac Day. It seems a terrible thing these days that an extra Sunday should be added to the list. The great landing took place on a Sunday, and it does seem reasonable that Anzac Day should be celebrated on the nearest Sunday to the great event, when nmre reverence would be shown. Had this not been. leap year Anzac Day would have fallen on a Sunday, but as it is, it misses, and in consequence there is another imposed stop-work day-which must cost the State at least £300,000. It is supposed to be a sacred day, but you will observe, the trams run, trains run excursions, people play tennis, golf, and bowls, bathe on the beaches, go motor picnics, and the only places that are kept doted are theatres and hotels, and closing down of all factories and businesses must be an enormous cost, and in my opinion no State can afford it these days.

The secretary (Mr H.„ P. West) said the letter had beep sent to the Returned Soldiers' Association for its views, and the association had indicated that it was strongly opposed to any alteration in the date.

Mr J. G. Jeffery said it was time this matter was taken up again and an effort made to change the date of Anzac Day to the Sunday prior to the date of the landing on Gallipoli (April 25). He thought the Returned Soldiers’ Association was taking up an unreasonable attitude. It \yas uneconomic to observe the day always on April 25, and it was right, he thought, that they should now get away from sentiment and get down to facts. Many young workers now looked forward to the day as a holiday for which they would get full pay. The landing, in which he took part, was on a Sunday, and it would be appropriate if the Sunday prior to the date of the landing were set apart as the day of observation. He did not like the spirit of indifference which was now shown, and which must grow as the younger people grew up. It was time that the community as a whole took upon itself a decision in the matter. One reason why the Returned Soldiers’ Association opposed a change in the date was that it feared it would lose members, but it need not be afraid of anything in that Mr j. M. White, of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, said the associations throughout New Zealand made a strong point of observing Anzac Day on April 25. The Dunedin Association had always tried to keep' the day before the public as a dav of great achievement, and it was felt that as the day w-as now really recognised as a Sunday no alteration should be made unless good reason was shown. He thought they ought to postpone a little longer any proposal to change the day ,ou which the landing was now observed. Mr Jeffery urged that there should be a day observed as a national Sunday, on which day they would honour all who had helped to build up this country and assisted the Empire in many ways. It was well to remember there was fighting at other places besides Gallipoli. He moved —“That the chamber approach the Returned Soldiers’ Association with a view to opening up the matter for discussion. Mr D. M. Reid seconded the motion. Mr G. G. Dykes expressed the view that it would be well to drop the matter for another five years. The motion was put to the meeting and lost on the voices. . . , The chairman: The motion is lost, and the intention is that no action be taken. LAND FOR UNEMPLOYED.

The secretary reported that the following letter had been forwarded to the Minister of Employment (Mr J. G. Coates)“ I have to advise you that the proposals of the Unemployment Board for settlement of the unemployed on small sections of land has been discussed by special committees of this chamber, and it was resolved that the chamber support the scheme for settling on the land those among the unemployed whose capacity or training rendered them suitable as settlers. Consideration of the scheme was given as regards such settlements in Otago, and the committees are strongly of the opinion that in order to assure of the schemes being a success the land chosen should be first-class land. If a settler is to make a living on the lanu he should be able to run about six cows, each of , which should average £lO per cow per year. Each cow provides tor the rearing of pigs to the value of £4 per cow. It was assumed that such settlers would have poultry, which would provide eggs for their own use at least. The chamber is further of the opinion that the properties acquired should be such as not to need an undue expenditure of capital. The third recommendation is that group settlement should be avoided. A further recommendation was that in securing suitable sections for settlement the co-operation of farmers committees should be sought. They would be the best judges of the land most suitable for settlement. , . A member: Is anything being done in regard to Mr Coates s scheme. , Mr A. C Cameron said he understood that nothing was being done in this district. He had not heard of any land being offered, but the authorities had been deluged with offers to sell land. ? The matter was discussed, partly m committee, and the letter forwarded to the Prime Minister was approved. A copy will be sent to the local Unemployment Committee, and the council decided to co-operate with the committee as far as possible. REPORT OF EXECUTIVE. The report of the executive contained these clauses: — ~ Visit to Lawrence. —Ihe «>0 odd members who made the visit to Lawrence on Saturday last spent a .profitable and eniovable day. The mining operations at present being carried on at Wcthcrstones were viewed with much interest, and it is hoped there may be a revival of the indUNntionnl Expenditure Adjustment Bill. —This Bill has occupied a good deal of the time of the executive, and telegrams were despatched to the 1 nine Minister and Associated Chambers. The matter ot the provisions of section 51 and its subsections was also referred to the i rime

Minister by the Associated Chambers. It is satisfactory to note that the Bill was amended and the clause deleted relating to returns required to be made by trading companies on deposit. > . . , Fruit Control Board—The Associated Chambers wired asking when the poll of growers in Otago on the Fruit Control Amendment Bill is to be taken, and also for the views of this chamber. A reply has been sent that the date of the poll was not known but would probably be in July, also that the opinion of fruitgrowers here in regard to control was divided, but the largest exporters opposed it. This chamber’s policy was against control. , Otago Central Power Board.—Three members of the Otago Central. Power Board had waited on the executive and asked for the chamber’s assistance in inducing the Government to reduce the charge for a hydro-electric scheme at the “Roaring,Meg - ’’ for £ 1 per kw per annum. It was pointed out that the usual charge was Is per kw per annum. The executive wrote to the Minister and pointed out that the charge was unreasonable unless there was a satisfactory reason which it had not disclosed. The deputation promised to send full particulars ot negotiations to the chamber. _ The report was received, and it was resolved: “The chamber is indebted to Mr J. B. Kinlay for the invitation to visit Lawrence, to the Mayor (Mr J. iv. Simpson) for his welcome, and also to tne mining company at Wetherstones for enabling members of the party to see the mine in working order. The hospitality extended was also very much appreciated. .. WORK FOR BOYS. Mr J. R. Fairbairn reported, on the steps that the local Vocational Guidance Committee is taking to meet the dimculty of unemployed boys. The work was now so great, and it was so important, that the time had arrived when a full-time vocational guidance officer -should be engaged. The local committee was willing to work in with the Rotary Club or any otherbody that was willing to assist. . . It was pointed out that the restrictions of the Arbitration Act which prevented the employment of boys at less than 10s a week were felt to be a hindrance to the employment of boys, as many of them could not afford to pay that amount. It was thought that the Government should be urged to - relax the provisions of the apprenticeship clauses of the Arbitration Act. Mr Fairbairn moved that the report should be forwarded to the Government. This was agreed to. It was resolved that the executive be authorised to organise a drive on various bodies, such as the Manufacturers’, Association, the Unemployment Committee, and others to seek their assistance. NEW STEAMER SERVICE. Mr A. L. Adamson, secretary of the Southland Chamber of Commerce, wrote advising that the following resolution had been carriedcby the council of the Southland chamber: —“That this chamber views with pleasure the present effort being made to institute an improved passenger and cargo service between Australia and the southern ports of the Dominion.” ' , Mr Fairbairn thought that such a service would be of great benefit to the province. ' Mr Allan said the chamber should do all in its power to encourage the service. A motion on these lines was carried. OTTAWA CONFERENCE. The chairman reported that the executive had telegraphed to the Prime Miiiis- , ter stating that it considered it- essential that Mr W. Downie Stewart, as Minister of Finance and Customs, should attend the Ottawa Conference, and it trusted that that could be arranged. .- - i The Prime Minister replied stating that the chamber’s recommendation had been noted for consideration. >( The action of the executive was approved. The following motions were carried: — “ This chamber trusts that the conference will result in the promotion of the fullest possible flow of trade l between the countries of the Empire, and thus form a solid link in the chain binding the Empire together. This chamber expresses the hope that delegates will consider all matters from an Empire viewpoint, and not from narrow and parochial considerations.” “ That this chamber regards the question of an Empire-managed currency as ths most important question that will come before the Ottawa Conference. Our association will view sympathetically the adoption of a system of managed currency for the purpose of bridging the hiatus between the present standard of currency and world’s prices, if such system is authoritatively put forward by. Great Britain at the conference and provided the management in New Zealand of such a scheme is entrusted to a private banking orgaivsation divorced absolutely from Government control.” PORT OF LONDON. Captain A. W. Pearse, representative in Australia and New Zealand of the Port of London Authority, wrote advising that from April 1 certain rates on tile following commodities had been reduced; —Import dock charges on wool, softwood and floated timber, frozen and chilled meat, Cheese (in cool storage), sugar (when bulked at landing), and bulk grain (discharging). With regard to meat the reduced rates were 6d per ton off the first management rate and 3d per ton afterwards. Regarding wool, the ranges of weights in the consolidated rates had been altered—viz.: 112-1681 b to 112-200 lb, 1683921 b to 200-4481 b, 392-5601 b to 448-5GOlb. The rate for the 200-4481 b is 9s 9d, less 10 per cent., but higher weights received 3d to 6d per bale reduction. The present discount of 5 per cent, allowed off the total amount payable in respect of foreign (inward and outward) port rates on goods would be altered to 74 per cent, in respect of goods imported or exported in any one vessel renorted or clearing on or after April 1, 1932. The letter was received. THE POST OFFICE SITE. Sir Charles Statham, replying to the chamber’s representations regarding the new Post Office, stated be had interviewed the Prime Minister on more than one occasion, and just recently he had asked if the Prime Minister would consider putting up portion' of the building—say, one or two storeys—in the meantime, but he now advised him that at the present time it was impossible to consider proceeding with the building. He stated, however, that steps were being taken to render the site safe and to make it as little unsightly as possible. The letter was received. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. The secretary read extracts from articles prepared by the Associated Chambers of Commerce in respect to the Public Works Department, urging that the function of the department should be completely changed, and all public works submitted to public tender and carried out by private contractors. That, it was suggested, would create that competition which makes for true economy. The inpentive to economise was provided in no degree whatever under the present constitution of the Public Works Department. The chairman said this question was raised by Mr Machin on- his recent visit to Dunedin. The department was the biggest spender in the country, and there was little check on its operations. He thought members generally would agree with what Mr Machin said. NATIONAL EXPENDITURE BILL, 'The Vigilance Committee reported:— ’The Vigilance Committee has been carefully watching the proposed terms of

the National . Expenditure Adjustment Bill and, in particular, has made urgent representations in regard, to- deposits with trading companies.. The original* Bill provided that the maximum rates of interest to be paid by trading companies - were to be fixed by Order-in-Coupcil/and in this connection all such companies were required to furnish the Government-with quarterly statements of their assets. The chamber realised that the returns asked for by the Bill would, in effect, require a quarterly stocktaking and balance sheet, which, in most cases, would be quite impossible. Strong representations were made which had the support of other chambers, and it is a matter for congratulation that these requirements have now been dispensed with. The question of ,the fixing of maximum interest rates is, howr ever, still a burning question. The cham : ber, vin accordance with the attitude it has adopted in the past, objected strongly to the practice of legislation by Order-in-Council, and further urged that if the maximum interest rates were to be so fixed the business community should be given an opportunity of making recommendations before any such Order-m-Council was gazetted. The Government has insisted on the rate being fixed Ofder-in-Council, but it would seem .that the Hon. W. Downie Stewart is endeavouring to meet the desires of the business community in calling for,, particulars , of interest rates and . special circumstances. The chamber as a body cannot very well lav down any general rule that will cover all cases. It is felt, however, that some definite . resolution be forwarded by the chamber with reference to the maximum rates to be fixed by Order-in-Council.' Individual companies could j then make any special recommendations ' as to their own particular businesses.. To this end the Vigilance Committee suggest that they be authorised to co-opt representatives of various trading companies interested with power to make rccommen- > dations to the Minister, including a den- , nite recommendation as to the fixing or the interest rate!, /. .' '..-"-■ v ■ -i The report was adopted:' :"_'" ; ;';