CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22708, 22 October 1935, Page 7

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the council of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce was held last night, the president (Mr J. C. Begg) presiding. There were also present Messrs M. Stewart, M. S. Myers, T. Somerville, A. H. Allen, A. W. Jeavons, R. Armit, J. C. Anderson, S. L. Laing, J. E. Thomas, H. A. Newall, W. H. Naylor, E. J. Taylor, E. T. Seymour, N. R. Wilson, J. S. Skinner, L. Doans Ritchie, W. Cole, J. 11. Gilbert, W. J. MTnues. EXECUTIVE REPORT The executive submitted the following report: Budget.—Letters were sent to the Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, and Uostuiaster-general expressing the chamber’s satisfaction of the sound financial position of the country as revealed in the Budget. Appreciation was also expressed of the Government’s action reducing telegraph rates. It was satisfactory to note that there was a decrease in unemployment. Japanese Shipping. —The executive wrote to the agents (Messrs Neill and Co.) expressing appreciation of the action of Osaka Shosen Ivaisha in its decision to establish a shipping service between Japan and New Zealand in which Dunedin would he included as a port of call, and requesting that tnesc congratulations be conveyed to the O.S.K. In reply to an inquiry forwarded through the Associated Chambers asking what the Government proposed to do regarding representation iu the East the chamber was informed that nothing was contemplated in this direction. Amendment to Pharmacy Act. —The executive associated itself with members of the Pharmaceutical Association in its efforts to secure an amendment to the Pharmacy Act. The executive went into the matter very fully and agreed to support the Pharmaceutical Association in its efforts that it should be put on a professional basis similar to that possessed by dentists and doctors. Japanese Goodwill Mission. —-A letter had been received from the Prime Minister stating that Mr Debuchi, head of the Japanese Goodwill Mission, had expressed appreciation of the opportunities afforded by chambers of commerce of meeting business men. The Prime Min* ister also expressed appreciation of the chamber’s assistance during the visit. Jubilee Drive for Employing Ex-ser-vicemen.—The canvass made of business firms for employing ex-servicemen .had been completed and the results were satisfactory to the committee. Thirteen exservicemen had been placed in permanent employment, nine in part-time employment of a permanent nature, and 25 were given casual work. In view of all the circumstances and the present conditions the result was very gratifying and well worth the effort. The Rotary Club rendered valuable assistance in providing canvassers, and special thanks were due to Mr G. Adess, who took charge of the organising of the canvass. Thanks are due also to the various picture theatres in the city which co-operated and gave free screening of matter in connection with the campaign. The committee expressed the hope that the results were not final, as many promises had been received from business firms to consider the claims of returned men in cases of vacancies occurring in the future, and any citizens requiring men for odd jobs were asked to ring the Returned Soldiers’ Association. Compensation to Fruitgrowers for Marketing and Frost Losses. —The Otngo Provincial Fruitgrowers’ Council a’.iit Ettrick Fruitgrowers’ Association had written expressing their appreciation of the chamber’s assistance and support in their efforts to obtain recognition from the Government in connection with the serious losses incurred by frost and the collapse of the London market. Mr A. H. Allen, who represented the chamber on the deputation to the Minister of Agriculture, was specially thanked for his services. Building Subsidy.—Regarding (he letter from the Unemployment Board asking for information in regard to buildings o* a non-profit earning character which might be erected during the next two years, the chamber was able to forward particulars of two church buildings. Advice had now been received from the Unemployment Board that if it could be shown that the board’s assistance was essential to ensure the immediate prosecution of the work and it could be put in band by December 31 next, the board would be prepared to consider applications and give sympathetic consideration to the granting of a subsidy based on 10 per cent of the contract price. Wandering Cattle. —Replies had been received from the various county councils in Otago and all had promised their co-operation in an endeavour to keep loads free of wandering cattle, especially at night. The Otago and Southland Underwriters Association had been advised and had expressed its thanks for the chamber’s assistance. The president said they were gratified that their representatives in regard to telegraph charges had resulted in their receiving more than they had asked for. He expressed pleasure at the prospect of a Japanese shipping service direct to New Zealand. He stated that it was likely that there would be an increased demand for wool from that country, as a report of a large wool buying firm had estimated that the stock of wool on hand in Japan was 36 per cent, lower than a year ago. On behalf of the Returned Soldiers Association, Mr J. S. Skinner thanked the chamber for its efforts to find woriJ for ex-soldiers. He was quite sure, he said, that what had been done was not the final result, and that further employment would be forthcoming. The report was adopted. SPEAKERS FOR LUNCHEONS The secretary reported that an effort was being made to obtain suitable speakers for mid-day luncheons It was hoped to have had members of the Railways Board as speakers at a luncheon this week, but their arrangements would not permit of this programme being given effect to. A promise had been received from Sir Frederick 11. Tout, M.L.C., of New South Wales, to address a luncheon next month. It was also hoped to have Mr H. Davis, the London representative of the Dairy Board, address the members on a later occasion. CROMWELL-PEMBROKE ROAD In response to a letter from the chamber, the Vincent County Council stated that it was of the opinion that the tarsealing of the Cromwell-Hawea I lat— Pembroke road was a national matter, which should be undertaken by the Government, the Mam Highways Board, and the Unemployment Board, The counci added that it considered that the road was a substitute for a railway which it was at one time intended to continue to Havvca Flat. It was also a road which was largely used by tourists visiting the lakes district. ASSISTANCE FOR ST. KILDA BAND The St. Hilda Band wrote asking for the support of the chamber towards assisting it in sending the band to contests at New Plymouth and Adelaide. In particular, the band requested the support of the business community in a street clay collection to be held on December " The president said they were all proud of the champion band of New Zealand, but the executive thought it could not give a direct donation. It recommended the request to the generosity of the members individually. The letter was received. TRADE IN PACIFIC Mr G. A. Bucklin, American Consulgeneral in New Zealand, foi warded in formation that the Pacific Foreign Trades Council was to hold a session in Honolulu during the last week in November in connection with the western division meeting of the United States Chamber ot Commerce. It was stated that it was planned to emphasise the trade and economic conditions of the Pacific aica, and an invitation was extended to representative business men of countries round the Pacific to attend. The letter was received. SALE OF HEALTH STAMPS The chief postmaster at Dunedin wrote seeking the chamber’s co-operation in connection with the sale of health stamps. The president said they were all agreed it was a very worthy object. Reference to the matter had already been made in the last bulletin of the chamber, which could not do any more. CITY POSTAL DISTRICTS The support of the chamber in inducing business firms to use the district

indicator when addressng correspondence was sought by the chief postmaster. The president said the innovation was a step in the right direction. He thought that the matter would right itself as time went on.

GOVERNMENT HOUSING SCHEME The jn-esident drew attention to the housing scheme.which had been introduced by the Minister of Finance (Mr J. G. Coates). Building, he said, was a matter of great interest to the chamber because it was one of the principal methods of distributing money throughout the community. Although the scheme was only in its initial stages, it was reasonable that they should take cognisance of it and watch what was being done. During the present session Mr Coates intended only to pass a measure empowering the carrying out of a general survey. They would not watch the Government’s actions in a suspicious manner because any move fertile better housing of the people was i very desirable thing. He thought, however, that they should refer the matter to the Vigilance Committee to view it sympathetically and see, so far as they were able, that the scheme advanced along sound financial lines. A motion to this effect was carried without discussion. TRADE WITH THE EAST Reference to New Zealand’s interest in extending trade with eastern countries was made by Mr N. R. Wilson, who said that the Dominion had many products which it could with advantage sell in the East —such things as hides, skins, wool, etc. Japan had been developing traao with New Zealand and Australia, and was now taking a substantial portion of this country’s wool. Surely an avenue existed for developing that trade still further. Australia had been very active,- and shipments of lamb among other things had been sent to the East. Should the matter so far as New Zealand was concerned be left where it was? The president said it was important that they should keep the service now they had got it. The matter had been under consideration by the chamber from time to time. He thought it would be a good idea if the Export and Import Committee kept an eye on the subject. Mr J. E. Thomas said there was no doubt that there was a great market awaiting development in the East. Japan was not at present a meat-eating country, but it used great quantities of hides. New Zealand butter could be bought in Japan in limited quantities, and the Japanese were acquiring a taste for it, while dried milk was used in enormous quantities in Shanghai. The great trouble had been that the transhipment of cargoes in Australia had increased the cost, killing the prices which could be obtained in the East. With a direct shipping service New Zealand would be in a more favourable position. Mr Thomas added, in reply to a question, that as the Japanese were on the whole a poor people, he did not think that there was at present much scope for tourist traffic from that country to New Zealand. The president commented that the matter would receive the attention of the executive.