CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

Otago Witness, Issue 3443, 9 March 1920, Page 24

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON, March 3. The annual conference of the New Zealand Associated Chambers of Commerce opened to-day in the hall of the Wellington Chamber. The following remits were adopted:— " The conference recommends that the Government consider favourably the appointment of a Minister of Commerce advised by a council of experts.' . . . "That the Government be recommended to appoint a commission or to arrange for a conference to inquire into the proper principles and incidence of all taxation in New Zealand, and to make recommendations in regard to all taxes whether direct or indirect to be levied for the year commencing April 1, 1919. " That all profit-earning departments of the State in cases where the whole of the profits are not paid into the Consolidated Fund or where they are not already liable for income tax and land tax, should be made liable for income tax and land tax in the same manner and under the same conditions as private businesses are liable. "That local authorities should be made liable for income tax and land tax in respect to their commercial activities. " That the Government be urged to introduce legislation during the next 'session on the lines of the Australian Sea Carriage of Goods Act or of the American Act known as the Harter Act, to amend and consolidate the existing law relating to the liability of carriers of goods by sea, so as to secure for the owners of goods .more equitable terms and conditions; further,that the Government be urged to take up this question with the Governments oi other British dominions with a view to securing by joint representations similar legislation in Britain. " That in order to give effect to the foregoing, the executive be instructed to confer with the Board of Trade, to employ a solicitor, and, if necessary, to 'set up a special committee to prepare a draft Bill for presentation to the next session of Parliament. "That shipping companies be requested to issue through bills of lading to at least all Australasian main ports. " That those overseas shipping companies whose bills of lading are so ambiguously worded as to enable them to repudiate liability altogether when the value of good« missing exceeds the bill of lading limitation, be requested to bring their bill of lading conditions into line with those companies which pay up to the limitation stated in the bill of lading, or a proportion of such limitation; and that, failing, acquiescence,, importers be recommended to request their overseas shippers to give preference of shipment to the shipping companies which admit liability. ', • "That action be taken to secure a discontinuation of prepayment of freights on all overseas cargo. "That pressure be brought to bear on the Government to see that sufficient freight is provided to cater for the direct trade between Australia and New Zealand, 'and urging that a uniform . through rate be fixed for the main ports." The Maori lands question was brought forward by Mr R. L. Peterson (Napier), who moved: —"That in the interest of, and for the protection of, the Native race the Government be strongly urged to purchase all unutilised native land, including all native land which had been leased but has reverted to the owners and has decreased in productiveness at a fair value of the present value- of land, paying the Native owners in&erest only at a fair rate, thereby protecting th e Natives from ruin, and avoiding their becoming a burden on the State; and, further ; releasing a large area for returned soldiers and bona fide farmers.'; —The remit was carried by 11 votes to 9. Full consideration was given to the Canterbury Chamber's scheme for reform Li maragement and construction of New Zealand railways, and the following amendment to a motion by Mr J. T. Martin waa carried:—"That, in orde.r to eliminate political influence and to promote efficiency and economy, the railways in course of construction and in prospect -be taken over by the Railway Department, and the Canterbury remit be referred to the executive for further consideration and, if necessary, action. Further, that this conference affirm tho principle of no l-political control." Conference also decided that the Railway Department be asked to assume the responsibility for delivery of goods consigned to and from stations where there is a tablet porter in charge; that the present position of charges made by the Railway Department at various ports for sorting goods V inequitable; and that the executive be asked to support the representations already made. The conference has concluded. The following remit was adopted without discussion :— -" That the associated chambers be recommended to make representations to the associated banks with a view to arranging that the note issues of all banks should bo similar in size for the same denomination, all 10s notes to be of the same size, but smaller than those of larger denomination. Notes of £1 and £5 to be of the same size, but different in size from 10s notes, and to be of distinctive colour, easily recognised." The following office-bearers were elected: President, Mr Walter Gow (Dunedin); vicepresident, Mv J. T. Martin (Wellington); executive —Messrs A. S. Bankhart (Auckland), R. L. Paterson (Napier). J. G. Herdman and J. B. Waters (Dunedin).