NEW ZEALAND IMPORTERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22122, 28 November 1933, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND IMPORTERS

ANNUAL MEETING OF FEDERATION The annual meeting of the New Zealand Importers’ Federation was held at Wellington last week, the president (Mr Edwin"Salmond) being in the chair. After the adoption of the annual report, which embodied the activities of the federation since its inception the previous vear, the principal matters dealt with being the Tariff Board and inward freights, the election of officers for the enguing year was held, Mr Salmond being re-elected president and Mr H. 6. Thomson vice-president. Mr N. H. Russell was appointed secretary. Mr G. W. Guthrie read the report of the Revision of Freights Committee. After discussion it was resolved that the recommendation of the Wellington Association with regard to inward' freights as under be approved by this federation. It was recommended (1) that representations be made by the federation to the Imperial Shipping Committee, with the co-operation of the Chambers of Commerce. United Kingdom Manufacturers, and New Zealand Representatives Association, Drapery Association, Hardware Association, and any other likely organisations. (2) That the. co-operation of the shippers in the United Kingdom be enlisted. (3) That if the federation. representations can be prepared in time they be submitted to Sir James larr before he leaves New Zealand with a request for his help. (4) That the cooperation of the National Union of Manufacturers and Federation of British Industries be enlisted. The chairman then stated that the Special Committee, consisting of Messrs G. W. Guthrie (convener), W. F. Cuthbertson, C. J. !>• Norwood, A. D. Kerr, and W. Sim would prepare a case in conjunction with the executive of the federation. The question of the compulsory branding of goods was brought to the attention of the Wellington Council at the meeting held on November 20, and it was suggested by the council that the federation should express an opinion whether the branding of goods, especially the branding of New Zealand goods, should be dealt with, that is. goods manufactured in New Zealand should be labelled “Made in New Zealand.”—Mr Salmond stated that the matter would have due attention, and asked for expressions of opinion from the various associations to the executive on this matter. It was resolved that the New Zealand Importers’ Federation endorses the resolution carried by the Wellington Importers Association in connection with the Central Reserve Bank, and again publishes such resolution; also that a copy of this endorsement be sent to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, and the Leader of the Legislative Council. _ The resolution is as follows: —“That this association approves of the principle of a Central Reserve Bank as an addition to the financial strength of the Dominion, but urges Parliament to amend the measure now before it to ensure that such an institution shall be absolutely free from political control from inception: further, that the Government should seek the decision of the Supreme Court on matters at issue regarding the valuation of gold reserves to be taken over from the banks.”