IMPORTERS AND SHIPPERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21774, 13 October 1932, Page 14

IMPORTERS AND SHIPPERS

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the executive of the Otago Importers and Shippers' Association was held on Tuesday evening, Mr H. C. Campbell presiding. At the beginning of the meeting the chairman extended a cordial welcome to Mr •L. Walls, vice-president of the newly formed Importers’ Association in Wellington, who then addressed the meeting relative to the suggested formation of a Dominion Importers’ Federation. The speaker briefly explained the various objtcts_ of the proposed federation, emphasising th-j fact that in order to protect the interests of importers generally, and particularly in the matter of parliamentary legislation, including Customs tariffs, etc., It was essential that they should speak with a united voice. The address was listened to with much interest, and the speaker was cordially thanked by the chairman on behalf of the meeting. The chairman gave details of his recent visit to Wellington as a delegate from the local association to the preliminary meeting held to consider the formation of a Dominion Federation of Importers, and a full discussion on the question followed. It was felt, however, that the decision whether the Otago Association should affiliate was one that could only bo decided by the members as u whole, and it was therefore decided to call a special general meeting of the association to be held next Wednesday evening. The secretary reported that, as instructed, he had in conjunction with the Manufacturers’ Association and the Chamber of Commerce again written to the Postmaster-general regarding the suggested reduction in telephone charges, and a reply was now awaited. Correspondence with the Prime Minister was also read first regarding shipping facilities to and from New Zealand and the Cook Islands, and also as to the running of the Maui Pomarc.

The next item brought forward was the question of the promised removal of the surtax tariff on British goods in accordance with the Ottawa agreement. It was reported that the uncertainty whether, when such was sanctioned by Parliament, it would be made retrospective to the time it was first definitely announced, or would only apply after such parliamentary sanction, had caused no little inconvenience to importers, who found that purchasers of imported goods.were inclined to defer buying until such time as the question was finally settled. —The chairman advised that strong representations had been put forward to the Prime Minister as Minister of Customs for a ruling on the point, but that he had replied that no information could be given pending parliamentary discussion on the subject. The chairman further reported that arrangements had been made with the Otago Harbour Board for goods ex vessels recently arrived'to remain in wharf sheds pending a settlement of the question by the Legislature, thereby obviating the extra expense that would have arisen in the ordinary way by the goods being removed to the Harbour Board store. The secretary next reported ihat he had written to the Huddart, Parker Company in Australia suggesting that, if it were not possible, in view of the recent extension of the steamer service between Melbourne, Sydney and North Island ports, that the company should arrange to send at least an occasional passenger steamer from Melbourne to South Island ports, via Bluff.—A reply was now awaited with interest.

The secretary also submitted a statement showing the various overseas steamers that since the beginning of the year had discharged their cargoes at Port Chalmers and Dunedin respectively. Correspondence from the Otago Har hour Board relative to the question of voting at Harbour Board elections was considered, and it was decided to advis; the board that the association appreciated and fully concurred in the proposed alterations dealing with this matter.