THE ANNUAL MEETING. DUNEDIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2630, 10 August 1904, Page 30

THE ANNUAL MEETING.

DUNEDIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The annual meeting of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce was held on Friday afternoon, when the president (the Hon. T. Fergus) occupied the chair, and there was a largo attendance. Amongst others present wore Messrs G. Simpson, R. Chishlom, R. M. Clark, J. London, J. Moloney, J. C. Thomson, J. Edgar, T. Brown, D. MacPherson. C. W. Rattray, L R. Wil=on, C. R. Smith, W. I. Bolam, D. T. Brownhe, J. M. Gallaway, W. G.. T. Goodman, J. A. Burt P. R. Sargood, J. H. Morrison, W. Gow W. F. Edmond, H. Guthrie, G. R. Ritchie, L. Mendelsohn, W. J. Bolt, and Dr Hocken. -tvpologios for absence were received from Messrs Keith Ramsay, G. Fen wick, G. L. Denniston, C. F. Greenslade, W. E. Sargood, Walter Hislop, and W. E. Reynolds.

THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDBESS. In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, the President, after welcoming those present and expressing pleasure at seeing so large an attendance, said: — The chamber has now been in existence for 15 years, and has been able to do good work as well as show a satisfactory record in watching over the commercial well-being of our city and province. Numerically, the chamber has grown during the year, and financially, as the balance sheet shows, we have every reason for congratulation. Personal.— We have to regret that during the year that has closed two of our members have joined the great majority. Mr Alex. Thomson was one of our leading citizens in the best sense, and his very active and oenerous aid could at all times be counted on to assist every good work having for its object the well-being of the State and the development of our resources. In another esteemed and worthy citizen, the late Mr Thos. Brydone, we had a man of like kindness and much enterprise, and one who rendered the community services of no mean order. He was a prominent agriculturist in every sense of the term, and brought the numerous estates under his control to a high state of cultivation; he had a keen appreciation of the benefits likely to accrue by the introduction of tfee best strains of blood to improve our flocks and herds; and as one of the pioneers of the frozen meat industry he has left us under a lasting obligation. May his memory long remain green in the land! It is but fitting that we should express our indebtedness to such enterprising colonists, and our sorrow at their removal.— (Applause.) A Retrospect.— The year which has just closed was no exception to a number of its predecessors, inasmuch as w$ are still m the sunshine of prosperity, and,' although there have been alterations in the prices of many of our commodities— and alterations most pronounced in a number of cases,— the average value of our exports has not only been maintained, but enhanced. It might be interesting to take a glance at the records of the last 10 years, and mark how our staple productions have steadily grown. I will not weary- the chamber by quoting too many figures, which may be got by reference to various Blue Books, Customs returns, and statistical records, but would pass m brief review the causes of our continued commercial buoyancy. The total value of the exports from New Zealand for the 10 years ended December 31, 1903, was about £112,500,000, and of our imports £92,000,000. The exports for the year ended December 31, 1894, came to £9,085,000, and for the year ended December 31, 1903, to £14,838,000, or an increase of £5,753,000, while the imports for 1894 were £6,788,000, and for 1903 £12,788,000, or an increase of £6,000,000. These figures are full of significance. Of the total exports for the period mentioned wool contributed £42,138,708; frozen meat, £19,356,090; grain. £5,521,498; and butter and cheese, £7,936,318; or a total of £74,952,612— a glowing testimony to the beneficence of our climate, the fertility of our soil, and the enlightened enterprise of our pastoralists and farmers.— (Applause.) The greatest fluctuations in value have been in wool and grain. The current year promises weli, for, although our sheep suffered during the winter of 1903, there is every prospect that the price for the smaller quantity of wool will more than compensate for the larger export of last year. As was to be expected, the -export of frozen mutton this year will be less than last year, but with it, as with wool, the prices show a distinct improvement. In three other of our products — gold, kauri gum, and flax — the prospects are no less encouraging. In the ease of the output of gold there has been a remarkable increase of recent years, and the production for the last 10 years makes the very satisfactory total of £12,948,193, of which the year ended December 31, 1903, contributed £2,037,832. or the largest amount which we have had in any similar period since 1871, and compares very favourably with the years when gold production was in its heyday. The dredging industry is responsible for this, and, while we have to regret that much wild speculation was indulged in during the so-called "boom," the

industry is of value when carried out on reasonable lines. ntago as a Producing Dutiicl.— Coming fioin the general to the particular, i may say that we, in Otago. l.avo <.'rned lar^jly in il'C common well-doing, and have maintained our place well among the producing distnots. The btatistics of the nadc of our port do not represent the total productions of the province. At one time most of the commerce- of New Zealand passed through, Dunedin, and nearly all the colony was served from her warehouses, in which large ftocks of goods ware hold. Now that has changed to some extent. The alteration-, which have taken place in transport, and) the substitution of eteam for sailing ships, have done away in a great inoasuie witbi the i^ecessity for holding large stocks, and the facilities for obtaining quick delivery of goods ordered by cable have put the* oilier centres on more even terms with us. The fact, too, that one or other of our northern ports is generally mado the final port of departure for the large ocean, iineis gives th^?e ports an apparent advantage, and a good deal of the produce of Otago is credited to other districts. Our merohants still bold their ov.u, however, although they have to adapt themselves to altered circumstances and open large branch establishments in the cti'..r centres.

The improvement of our port is a matter of vital importance to us, end iv this connection I might be permitted to refer to the loss the Harbour Board sustained by the death of its engineer, Mr Rawscn, who was. an able, sterling, and conscientious man, and wboae end, I believe, was hastened mi some measure by his devotion to duty. This Chamber hae ev<>r taken the mo«t lively interest in harbour improvement, and the reduction and adjustment of dues and' charges. Attention has been given to those subjects during the year, wiHi very tangible and beneficial results. Since the year 1900 flic Harbour Board bad made reductions of £5123 on dues on exports, imports, etc., btit rates were still abnormally high. As your representative on the board, I took rlie matter up last year, and on the Works Committee carried the following resolutions : — ■

That the policy of the board should be that a large proportion of the cost of all works of a permanent nature should be a charge on capital account, and should not ba chai-ged to revenue as at present.

That the £11,600 of debentures en hand should b^ placed on the market and disposed of oni the best terms, to provide for the permanent improvement of the harbour, especially towards the carrying out of the works in the lower harbour.

That the board approach Parliament with a. view to getting an enabling bill authorising tha board to borrow when necessary any sum not exceeding £100,,000 for the purpose of carrying on the works for the permanent improvement of the harbour ; tiho amount to be raised in any one year not to exceed £10,000.

That the following reductions be made in the export dues : — Frozen meat, sheep, and lambs, from Id per carcase to 6d per ton ; rabbits, rheese, bsef, butter, and sundries, from 3s to Is per ton ; wool and skins, from Is to 9d per bale ; grain, fro.-n Is 3d to 6d per ton.

That the maximum berfchage rate on steamers at Dunedin be the same as at Port Chalmers.

The Harbour Board adopted the Work 3 Committee's recommendation re the reduction of dues on exports, bringing the charges on a parity with the other main ports o£ New Zealand, and also the proposals for* the equalisation of the charges for bertha ge of steamers at Dunedin and Port Chalmers, but rejected the others. We may congratulate ourselves, however, that our export trade has been roKoved and dues put on as favourable a footing as at other ports. I am still of opinion that the* recommendations of the Works Committee were in the right direction, and, further, but rates were etill abnormally high. I do not know of any authority who would) advocate the prosecution of large permanent works such as are being carried o\\t by the Otago Harbour Boai'd out of revenue. Unless those works are made a charge on loan and the money now spent out o£ revenue on permanent works freed for reduction of taxation on imports, then our dues must remain in their present unsatisfactory state. All the members of this chamber may not be aware of the magnitude of these dues, and how hardly they must press on our merchants. I will illustrate : For the year ended December 31, 1903 The following are the figures: — Dues on 57,900 tons at 5s equal to £14,475 Dues on 34,800 tons at 4s equal to 6,960 Dues on 23,700 tons at 3s equal to 3 555 11b,400 £24,990 These figures are very high when compaiedi with those obtaining in the ports of Lyfctelton, Wellington, and Auckland. Lyttelton, is Is 6d per toft all over ; Wellington, maximum, 2s per ton, including labour and' one night's storage ; Auckland, 2s per ton on imports and Is per ton on exports, or 2s 6d per ton, * including labour arid seven days' storage. Our Harbour Board, hewever, if it does not borrow to carry out reclamation and other works, cannot further reduce the rate, for it requires to spend out of revenue £10,000 per annum to proceed with absolutely necessary permanent works. The carrying otit of the proposal to apply

to Parliament for power to borrow £100,000, in terms of the Works Committee's recommendation, , and presuming that legislative sanction could be obtained, would have enabled the board to use part of its surplus revenue for the purpose of reducing the dues in the first place, and lowering the jpilotage and other charges in the second. The rates on the items I have enumerated ootJd have been lowered from 25 to 30 per osnt., and a very substantial concession made in the other items mentioned.

A Harbour Rate.— There . is, it is true, another possible source of relief, and one which has some advocates, and that is to constitute a rating district embracing the oity and suburbs or the proposed Greater Dunedin, and aleo the counties served by the port of Otago and the municipalities within its bounds, and to assess them all in aid of harbour finance. lam afraid the carrying of this scheme would be a matter of some difficulty. In the first place, what sum would be required to give substantial relief? In the next, what amount in the shape of rate would be necessary to raise that'sum? Suppose you took Dunedin and its suburbs and the whole of the counties served by the porj; of Otago and the boroughs therein, and included them in your harbour district. The valuation works out something "like this: — Dunedin and suburbs, with the other boroughs in the counties (with the exception of Palstnerston and Hawksbury, which rate on capital value, as the counties do), have an annual rateable value of £4-93,743, or a capital value of £7,899,920; and the counties, with the_ Boroughs of Palmerston and Hawksbury, s. capital value of £6,862,375; or a total capital value on £14-,762,295. In order to raise a little over £10,000 it ■would require a rate over the whole property in the district of one-sixth of a penny per pound on the capital value, or equal to 2.64 din the pound on the annual vahie in all boroughs. Nothing less than £10,000 iper annum would be of much use in enabling us to materially reduce our charges. Now, the question arises whether the boroughs and counties in the districts mentioned would agree to the imposition of euch a rate.* Looking at Dunedii], with its municipal, charitable aid, drainage, free library, etc., imposts, he would be a bokl nan who would predict that it would stand another charge of 2|d in the pound, cm its rates. Of course, the board looks forward to the time when the rents of its endowments will aid it greatly in granting lit «s«>rv relief.

An Arbitrary Proceeding.— -In this connection I would like to say a word or two on a proceeding which I consider very arbitrary and unjust. That is the claim ■which the Colonial Government makes to have the .right to take any portion of the foreshore endowment of a harbour board or trust by eimply recouping the local authority any moneys it may have spent in -reclaiming or Improving the same. To my mind this is a direct interference with the security of the debenture-holder. In the interest of the State, as well as of our harbour boards, this should not be allowed. T3ie reservation of the foreshore and its prospective revenue- earning power when reclaimed form the security for the debenture, and should not be interfered with on «ny consideration. — (Applause.) . Harbour Improvements. — The improvements in our port go on apace, and large ocean steamers have no difficulty in coming up to Dunedin wharves; and when the extension of the - berthage now under progress as completed we shall be able to give further accommodation, which is much needed. The ehed space, also, is being added to, and the handling of goods will, it is hoped, be more satisfactory in future. The only other matter I would mention in connection with the Harbour is the change in the receiving and delivery of cargo, which, instead of being carried out by the board, is now done by contract, and the experiences which importers and shippers have had with Mr Mill in the past augurs well for the conduct of this business in the future. I have taken up a good deal of your time in discussing harbour matter, but as I am your representative on that body I am practically giving my constituents an account of my fitewardship. — (Applause.) Settling the Interior. — The development of the interior is a matter referred to in every presidential ad<ke&3, and is of the first importance to us all. The Otago Central railway still drags on, and farmers, miners, end merchants away from the seaboard have lon^ been weary in waiting for its arrival. As far as it has gone it has fully justified its construction,, and the swarms of applicants for land along its route, when the same is thrown open for selection, proves that it is a favourite country. I oaunot give you the exact figures, but you will sea from the,, columns of the local press that whenever a number of sections of mixed agricultural and grazing land in that district are ■put upon the market there are scores of .anxious competitors. Our land requires to foe carefully classified and divided, and duecare taken that the "eyes" are not picked out of the country, and all the low and extensive flats alienated, while the high ground, which is primarily adapted for cummer grazing, left in the hands of the Crown. Our local Land Board, I think, is fully alive to this, and is doing its best to judiciously apportion the country. Tho Otago Central railway should be pushed on with all the expedition which colonial finance will allowl We owe a debt of gratitude to the Ofago Central Railway lieague for the manner in which it has •watched over tins enterprise during these long years. — (Applause.) The line to Catline, too, requires our serious attention. It "was a wrong to put settlers down in the heart of a forest to make homes for themselves under the delusion that a railway •would soon connect them with the outer world, and then to practically neglect them, and leave them to their fate. It must beremembered that road's in that district exist to a great extent only in name, as they are simply, in bad weather such as this, quagmires, and no road-making material is available in the district, but has to be brought a considerable distance by rail, which rail has not reached tbem yet. Progress in the City.— ln our own city we note much progress during the year, and a portion at least of our people have the advantage of our electric car service. It is a pity that agreement with £1m Government re Orders-im-Council and terms with our suburban municipalities had pot been arranged before the work was Started. We hope, however, that all difficulties are now at an end, and that all our fellow-citizens may soon enjoy the full privileges of the new system. We would be pleaeed to see the bill for these improvements finally settled. The water supply of tho city is being augmented, and it is to be hoped that the extra quantity will bo ample Cor ovu- needs. The djramwg'e works are still

in an unsatisfactory state, and I think it is to be regretted that any commencement was allowed till full and complete plans, with all information (requisite to enable tenders to be called for the work, were laid on the table cl the House of Representatives. This is a provision which Pailiament should insist on in future, and would save much discussion, expense, and delay. School of' Mines. — Our city and district is threatened with what I believe to bo a great injustice by j he proposed removal oE the School of Mines from Dunedin, and I must confess that afteir going mobt carefully into the whole matter I cannot find one shred of reason to justify such action. The University of Otago wa's- incorporated on June 3, 1569. In a letter addressed to the University Council on November 10, 1869, the Superintendent (Mr James Macau drew) remarks : " The practical success of the University mainly depends upon the action which may be taken by you in determining the curriculum, aaid in the choice of tho professors. Without seeking in any way to obtrude my views upon tho council, perhaps I may be pardoned if I express an opinion that while due provision ~<fcould be made for classical and metaphysical studies, tljere should be equal, if not greater, prominence to the teaching of natural science. I have long thought that a. School of Mines and of Agricultural Chemistry would be of great practical importance in this province, and I earnestly hope that, inter alia, provision will be mad© for these." The University Council decided to fill the chair of Natural Science (chemistry and mineralogy), and this was the beginning of our School of Mines. Since then it hals grown and developed, till now it is the recognised font of mining instruction in Australasia, and its graduates occupy the first position in mining centres, and fill positions of honour and trust in various quarters of the globe. Let me give you an excerpt from tibe last annual report of the director: — " Occuptions of Old Students. — Among the appointments secured by the old students diiring the year 1903 are the following: — Mr G. Geoffrey Sale, A.0.5.M., as fiist assistant to prospecting syndicate, Maeequeee, Portuguese Territory, South Africa, and afterwards manager of slimes treatment works, Johannesburg ; Mr P. Fitzgerald, A.0.5.M., manager Golden Pali mine, Western Australia ; Mr John Henderson, B.Sc., director of the Reef ton School of Mines; Mr Otto Bishop, A.0.5.M., battery superintendent, New Inkerman Mines (Limited), Reef ton ; Mr E. Paterson, A.0.5.M., general manager diamouid mines, Brazil ; Mr T. Buteman, A.0.5.M., lecturer to the Kalig'oorlie School of Mince, Western Australia; Mr E. Edwards, A.0.5.M., assistant engineer of the Exploration Company (Limited), Blue Nile, Egypt ; Mr S. E. Napier-Bell, A.0.5.M., - manager of the Brothers' Home No. 1 tin mine, Derby, Tasmania. Besides these, several have obtained appointments as as'sayers, amlgamator3, and cyanide foremen." If we had some of the statesmen of the past among us again the school would not be so easily wiped out. By all means let Auckland have her school of mines, and amalgamate their local schools of Thames, Waihi, Coromandel, and Karangahake ; but if the graints given to them are not sufficient, then let there be a further grant from Parliament to make it independent. The House lavishly gives money for less deserving objects, but let us retain that which we have made successful — I was about to say famous. There is no good reason or justification " for its removal from our midst. — (Applause.)

Educational Needs. — Education is the parent of commerce, and those enagged in teaching deserve well at our hands, and yet I venture to iay that there is scarcely a class in the community which is more niggardly rewarded for its work, nor one which has fewer advantages, than that of instructing in our public schools. The remuneration will not permit of making provision for old age, and as yet the teachers have been denied the benefits of a superannuation scheme. I venture to say that had we in Otago retained the control of our schools the teachers within our bounds would not be in the position they now are. — (" Hear, hear," and applause.) Since the colonisation of tho southern portion of New Zealand due provision for education always received the careful attention of the people, and liberal grants were made in its aid. Prom the time of the Deed of Settlement between the New Zealand Company and the Otago Association until the abolition of the provinces our pioneer statesmen set aside large areas of land as endowments for every grade of learning, from the primary school to the University. Reseaves for this purpose were included in the original Deed of Settlement, and we are told by Mr John Hislop, lion, secretary to the University of Obag-o, in a report dated July 11, 1873, that " for several years past one-thirtieth of the unsold Crown lands had been voluntarily set apart as soon as surveyed as an endowment for the public schools of Otago," and, in addition to this, " the Provincial Council reserved and set apart 1,103,500 acres of pastoral land as endowment for the maintenance of high, grammar, and district schools in the Province of Otago." What a tribute to the sagacity and broad mindednesa of our Pilgrim Fathers ! — (Applause.) "When the provinces were abolished in 1877 tße rentals of all endowments reserved for primary education became colonial funds, since which time in Otago and Southland they have contributed over £300,000 towards primary and about £16,000 for high schools. Now, one cannot but believe that had control of education remained in our own hands that the distinct grievances of the teachers vrould have been repressed, and arrangements made for retiring allowances when they were incapacitated by age or infirmity for work. I trust that this matter may be taken up in earnest by Parliament, and this wrong redressed. While lam on the subject of education I would like to say a word or two with regard to our Technical School. Owing to recent regulations the classes have grown enormously, but the work is much hampered by inadequate premises and appliances. In a conversation which I had lately with one who has taken the foremost place in technical education here (Mr 6. M. Thomson), he pointed out to me a method by which vast improvement, he thought, could be made in teaching, and more beneficial results accrue. HTs contention seemed to me most reasonable, and I trust ere long to submit some proposals to the Educatoin Board for its consideration, which, if adopted by the board and sanctioned by the Technical Schools' Committee, will, I Ihink, result in the desired-improvement.

Preferential Trade. — There arc- many other subjects which I desired to bring before you, but time will not permit. The question, of preferential trade, which >ras brought up by my predecessor last

year, would bear carefully looking into again. It is not, as some people suppose, dead in England, nor does it sleep, but will be heard of before, long. The San Francisco service and other ocean mail services, and sundry amendments in our commercial law, might have been alluded to. Locally, also, there \6 tho question of Greater Dunedin. which is exercising the minds of the people in no small extent, and which has been the subject of a very able and exhaustive report by a committee of competent gentlemen. The introduction of a plentiful and cheap power supply to aid in developing our manufacturing resources and other kindred subjects are all deserving of more attention than can be devoted to them in the brief time at my disposal to-day. — (Applause.)

In conclusion, I have only to say that the year which has passed has been a most pleasant one to me in office. The vicepresident and every member of committee have aided me most cordially, and our worthy secretary (Mr Barr) has been unwearied in his attention to the irork, which has rendered the post of president, for this year at least, in a great measure a sinecure. I have likewise to thank the members of the chamber for their courtesy, and have only to regret that I was not able to give more time to the performance of the duties of the chair than 1 did last year. Thanking you for the patient hearing, I *iave now only to move the adoption of the report and balance sheet. — (Continued applause.)

Mr J. C. Thomson said he had very much pleasure in seconding the motion. The president had spoken in a most comprehensive manner regarding all the matters that had engaged the attention of the chamber. On© point was that the report might have been in the hands of members earlier than on the day of the meeting, so that any member wishing to comment on it might have time to prepare. It was very satisfactory to note that the trade of the colony was showing such a steady increase, and the period of 10 years selected by the president would show a fair average, and the improvements certainly were very good and sound. The stable exports were maintaining their volume, and the position of the pastoral business was very satisfactory. He only hoped the increase in the price of wool would counterbalance the deficiency in bulk. The main point in the report was the question oh the harbour. It was a matter that the chamber dealt with annually, and it was a matter that requires very serious attention. The chamber, through its representative, the president, had made very good representations indeed to the Harbour Board with regard to the lessening of the burdens under which trade laboured in Dunedin. Reference had been made to the fact of a representative having been appointed on a body which was being formed by his Worship the Mayor of the City, and which body was to deal with all matters affecting the affairs of the province. The most important matter the Otago League would have to deal with would be the question of the harbour dues and the position of the Harbour Board generally. There were other organisations, such as the Otago Central Railway League and the Catlins Railway League, that the Otago League would assist, but the harbour question was tho main point the league should turn its attention to. — (" Hear, hear.") With reference to preferential trade, it was indeed a Jive question. The Premier with his natural astuteness brought the prefereuntial trade measure forward as a step to Imperialism. Of course, it was nothing of the kind; it was simply the medium for heavier taxation, and the Premier was taking full advantage of it. It would be a live question, indeed, but at present it was being taken advantage of for ''h-9 purpose of increasing the revenue. Th» question of eduoation had been very fully gone into by the president. TJie School of Mines was an institution they would be very sorry to see removed from their midst. There was no reason why Auckland should not have a School of Mines independent from Otago. The Otago School of Mines had done admirable work, and but for the fact of the revenue falling off there would be no question about it. If proper assistance were given it there was no reason why it should not remain an active institution in our midst, and there was no reason why Auckland should not have a Mining School as well. — (Applause.)

Mr P. R. Sargood said the thanks of the chamber were due to the president for his able address. Ib contained many points, some of them debatable perhaps, but he trusted some of them would be discus«ed by the chamber during the year. With reference to preferential trade, since the report was printed there had been a new regulation decided upon by the Commissioner which very largely went towards removing a great deal of the friction. It was now decided that foieign goods with separate invoice and separately made up might be placed in a case containing British goods, which was in the direction of what they had been endeavouring to get the Commissioner to do. With reference to the harbour, he fully agreed with Mr Thomson that it was a matter this community must take up, and put in proper condition. The question of rating as a means of raising revenue was to his mind a proper one. He felt satisfied that a rating district such as described by the chairman would be the proper means for providing revenue and making this a free port. We had to bear the taxes now in some shape or form, but the burden was not properly distributed. In the matter of education, he urged that a great deal more attention should be given to the teaching of handwriting. The question of the telephone to Oamaru should not be lost sight of, and the incoming committee should keep the matter before the Post-master-general. — (Applause.)

The President said Mr Thomsou had been looking at preferential trade from the colonial point of view, and he (tho president) was looking at it from a Homo point of view. What he meant was that tho question was not dead in the Home Country, but it would wake up mighty soon. In line colony it hod been made the engine to extract more money from the pockets of the people^ — ("Hear, hear") and restrictions had been put on which were mo^t galling, and he was glad that one had been removed. With reference to Harbour Board rating, he thought Mr Sargood would find that tho country districts would be unanimous in resisting rating, and they Avould not subscribe a 9 long as others would do it for them. The counties affected would be Brace, Clutha, Tuapeka, Taieri, the Peninsula, Maniototo, Waihemo, and Waikouaiti. All these would have to be taken in, and they would be found a stiff row to hoc.

The motion wae then canicd unanimously,, ~ = "