IMPORTERS AND SHIPPERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22632, 25 July 1935, Page 5

IMPORTERS AND SHIPPERS

OTAGO ASSOCIATION The report of the Otago Importers and Shippers' Association to be presented at the annual meeting this evening, states that without undue optimism the executive might face the coining year with greater confidence than it did 12 months ago. Despite two very adverse features in the Dominion's sources of wealth, the anticipations of a year ago had been realised. The two conditions referred to were first, the continued low values of dairy produce on the London market, and second, the sharp decline in wool values for the, season 1934-35, caused largely by the ban on imports imposed by Germany in 1934, which led to much uncertainty in the trade, with consequent decrease in values generally. On the other side, however, the increase in export values for the year ended on March 31 la9t of beef to the extent of over £IOO,OOO, lamb of over £2,000,000, mutton approximately £500,000, and pork £300,000 had tended partly at least to offset the losses first mentioned. So far as imports were concerned, these had shown a sharp rise, probably due, first to the definite indication by the manager of the Reserve Bank that they might look for a probable long continuance of the present exchange rate, which, however much it may rightly be objected to, at least gave importers a greater sense of confidence in their operations, and moreover on account of the previous uncertainty stocks had been kept at a minimum.

Mr J. L. Gardiner who had ably filled the position of chairman during the past year, had expressed the desire to retire, being of opinion that the office should be a rolling one. However, at the special request of the executive he has agreed that if elected he will retain the position for another year. Messrs S. F. Aburn, A. W. Jeavons, and J. E. Macassey retire from the committee, by rotation, but all are eligible for re-election. The executive was pleased to be able to report that the association had during the year been of very material assistance to its members .in securing satisfactory adjustments in a number of disputed claims. / During the year, owing to unduly long intervals in direct connection with Sydney, the executive at once took the matter up with the Union Steam Ship Company, and latterly there had been little cause for complaint. In view of the extra expense,incurred by importers, the committee viewed with some concern the increasing number of vessels failing to discharge at Dunedin wharf. The representations to local agents had had but little effect, and the committee felt that some concerted action must be taken among importers generally, through their representatives in the United Kingdom, with a view to bringing about a more satisfactory state of affairs.

The association had actively supported the efforts of kindred bodies in the endeavour, to secure improved facilities for handling the business ."of the port, such as- the effort to secure improved accommodation for those doing business with the Customs Department in the form of a central wharf office with examination shed attached. A further matter was improvement in the "B" shed used for the discharge of goods arriving by rail from Port Chalmers.

The great and growing increase in Australian imports caused largely by the Commonwealth's favourable exchange position, had appealed to the committee, in view of the consequent curtailment of importations- from the Homeland. At the request of the executive the secretary wrote a comprehensive survey of the position to the local press, the statement being cordially approved not only in Dunedin but further afield. > The executive commended this question generally to the careful consideration of all those who realised the absolute importance of avoiding anything which would

prejudice the position in a market, which as practically the only outlet for pro* ducts, was largely the sole ultimate source,of the Dominion's wealth.' The Newi Zealand Importers' Federation has recently asked for an expression of opinion in regard to the increasing tendency of the Government to purchase various supplies from British manufacturers' direct through the Agentgeneral, ignoring, the accredited representatives of such firms,'resident in the Dominion. The executive had advised the federation that as a body the association was strongly opposed to these tactics, which, it was considered, were an undue interference with the legitimate of Dominion merchants. The association thought it could fairly claim that in its efforts during the past year, it had again fully justified its existence, in carrying out those objects for which it was originally founded some 16 years ago, which in a word were, to furnish every assistance possible to its members in the solution of the various difficulties and perplexities that meet .them, from time to time in the course of their shipping activities.