IMPORTERS AND SHIPPERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22136, 14 December 1933, Page 14

IMPORTERS AND SHIPPERS

MEETING OF OTAGO ASSOCIATION The monthly meeting of the executive of the Otago Importers and Shippers’ Association was held on Tuesday evening, when there were present;—Messrs H. C, Campbell (chairman), S. F. Aburn, A. De Beer, J. L. Gardiner, J. E. Macassey, H. L. Smith, and C, V. Smith. The first item considered was correspondence with the Minister of Customs regarding the delay in obtaining Ministerial decisions in cases where the rate of duty payable had to be referred to Wellington by the local office. While the. explanation given was not altogether satisfactory, it was hoped that a ventilation of the question would lead to an improvement.

A Hat of goods was furnished at the request of the association by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, where, despite the fact of a more or less substantial preference in Customs duty given to Great Britain, foreign suppliers still appeared to dominate the Dominion market. The details proved both arresting and somewhat disquieting from the view of Imperial trading, and it was decided to forward a copy of the list ’to all members of the association.

The secretary reported that a letter that had been sent to the head office of the Canard Steamship Company, Liverpool, regretting that, in the itinerary of the “ pleasure liner ” Franconia shortly due at North Island ports, in the course of a second world cruise, no provision had been made for a visit to the South Island, and expressing the hope that this omission might be rectified when arranging the next tour.

Extensive correspondence with the New Zealand Importers’ Federation, Wellington, was dealt with, the principal question referred to being the present exchange rate and its possible reduction. In answer to a request for the association’s opinion as to how the matter, when it arises, should be dealt with, in the best interests of all concerned, after testing the feeling of members, it was stated that the general opinion was that the adjustment be loft in the hands of the _ Associated Banks, with a recommendation that the rate should be reduced gradually. Another matter referred to by the federation had been the Question of a reduction in inward freights from overseas, wherein the local association, in emphasising the need for such reduction, had pointed out that outward rates to Australia were lower than those to New Zealand, despite the fact that in some instances goods reached the Commonwealth via Dominion ports. It was further pointed out that the cost of imports had not been reduced to anything approaching the fall in our primary products, which naturally bore heavily on New Zealand. Furthermore, the basis of outward freights had been little reduced compared with that ruling when values were much higher, which naturally helped to retard the recovery of the Dominion, which had proved for many years a very profitable field for shipping enterprise.

A question bearing particularly on the interests of the South Island was mentioned by the chairman, namely, that his attention had been called by friends in Loudon and visitors from the Homeland that in the advertisements of the direct mail steamers to New Zealand no actual mention was'made of South Island ports. It was suggested, therefore, that the companies interested be asked to publish definitely the fact that transhipment was available to Lyttelton and Dunedin. The secretary advised that the two claims mentioned at the last meeting as referred to. the association had both been satisfactorily adjusted.

This being the closing meeting for the year, the chairman took occasion to convey the season’s greetings to all present, expressing the hope that the present promise of better things in the coming year might be amply realised. Messrs G:ydiner and Macassey cordially reciprocated this expression.