CHRISTCHURCH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1920, 4 December 1890, Page 13

CHRISTCHURCH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Chbistchtjbch, November 27. At the quarterly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce today, Mr W. Recce, president, commended the energy of the Freezing Company's in resuming operations. He expressed regret that wool was not on the free list in the M'Kinley tariff. Business he considered sound, and thought there was every prospect of an improvement after the elections. Referring to the labour troubles, he said that he was confident that under the management of the new stevedoring association, few grievances would arise, and that in future, at Lyttelton, matters would work smoothly. In reference to the proposed conference prior to the close of the strike, he said :— lt is still asserted by those unacquainted with the facts of the case, that the Shipping Committee, although having agreed to meet delegates from those on strike, declined eventually to do so, I wish to state most distinctly that the Shipping Committee was strongly in favour of meeting the delegates, but as the organisation of the men necessitated the committee working in union with other bodies in different parts of New Zealand to whom its views on thn point were not acceptable, nothing could be done." He further said that labour organisations are entitled every recognition ; but employes bad no more right to strike at a moment's notice than employers had to discharge the whole of their hands without warning. Arbitration was the method for settling all trade difficulties, and should be the first instead of the last resort. The chamber requested its committee to approach the Government with a view of persuading them to join the guarantee required to obtain a reduction of the cable rates.