CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3885, 28 August 1928, Page 73

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. An extraordinary general meeting of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce was held on Au'-ust 20; present—-Alessrs E. A. Rosevear (president), A. H. Allen, J. Taylor. A. C. Cameron, S. P. Cameron, E. F. Duthie, J. Park, J. Gray, H. C. Campbell, E. L. Eastgate, 11. L. Smith, H. Mitchell, J. Couchman, and F. E. Tyson.' A motion respecting an alteration in the articles of association was agreed to. The meeting of the council followed the extraordinary meeting. - MOTIONS OF SYAIPATHY. Alotions of sympathy were passed with the relatives of the late Air R. C. Jones and the late Air J. Daglish. APPOINTAIENT OF COMAHTTEES. The following committees were appointed:— Executive.—Alessrs E. A. Rosevear (president), A. H. Allen (vice-president), J. Taylor (ex-president), A. C. Cameron, S. P. Cameron, E. F. Duthie, J. Park, T. C. Ross (chairman of committees). Exports.—Messrs A. 0. Cameron (convenor), J. Couchman, S. P. Cameron, A. H. Crawley, E. F. Duthie, J. Taylor, F. E. Tyson. Imports.—Alessrs J. Park (convenor), A. Barnett, J. Gray. H. Alitchell, D. Phillips, H. L. Smith, J. Taylor. Local Industries.—Alessrs T. C. Ross (convenor), J. Couchman, A. H. Crawley, E. L. Eastgate, J. Gray, H.-Alitchell, J. Park. Alembership and Publicity.—Alessrs S. P. Cameron (convenor), .A. Barnett, H. P. Desmoulins, E. H. Hodge, T. C. Ross. B. R. Sword. Transport and Tourist. —Alessrs E. F. Duthie (convenor), A. C. Cameron, H. P. Desmoulins, E. L. Eastgate, E. H. Hodge, D. Phillips, H. L. Smith, B. R. Sword, F. E. Tyson. The president and the vice-president are members of all committees. DAYLIGHT SAVING. The secretary reported on the action taken by the executive to ascertain the feeling in the city respecting the Daylight Saving Bill, which has for its object the giving to local bodies of power at their discretion to introduce daylight saving m their respective districts during the summer months. The secretary of the Trades and Labour Council wrote stating that it . would approve of any scheme to bring into operation daylight saving. The chairman said the Mayor of Dunedin intended to call a meeting shortly in respect to daylight saving. He had written to a number of local bodies ask-

ing them, if they approved of the scheme, to inform Air Sidey of the fact. The Bill would come before the House on Thursday week. LIFE AIEMBERS.

Letters of thanks were received from Sir John Roberts and Sir George Fenwick thanking the chamber for electing them life members of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce. NEW AIEMBERS. Seven new members were elected. BLUFF-HOBART-AIELBOURNE.

Correspondence was read from other chambers respecting the Dunedin Chamber’s suggestion that a subsidy should be provided for the Alelbourne-Bluff steamer service. The secretary reported that the proposal had been made that a conference should be held in Dunedin of representatives from chambers of commerce and progressive leagues from Christchurch to Invercargill at an early date, and a number of replies had been received favouring the proposal. The secretary of the Christchurch Chamber wrote stating that inquiries had been made into the proposed service, which showed that a large subsidy would be necessary to reinstate it. The Dunedin Chamber’s letter was therefore “ received.”

The secretary of the Alelbourne Chamber wrote stating that while it would , like to see a better service between New Zealand and Alelbourne it felt it was unable to do much to assist the matter, because of the fact that the head office of the Union Company was located in New Zealand. It suggested that the Dunedin Chamber should again approach the Union Company with a request that the pre-war service should be reinstated for a trial period of, say, six months. It would naturally take a little time to develop the cargo business, but a six months’ trial would be sufficient to indicate the possibilities. So far as the passenger service was concerned, as soon as the regular service was instituted, there was no doubt a large number of people would choose this route instead of via Sydney. Air J. Al. Fisher, of Hobart, timber exporter, wrote stating that during a recent tour through New Zealand he interviewed the Union Company in Wellington respecting a service from Bluff to Hobart and Alelbourne. It was alleged by the company that the service had not • paid in the past, though they informed him that they would give a cargo boat every six weeks for . 600 tons in place of the present cargo steamer . spasmodically, every three months for 1200 tons. He had also interviewed the Prime Alinister (Air Coates), who said-he would do all in his power to get the Government to assist, and to get Parliament interested in the matter. Mr Tyson thought that some unfair criticism had been passed on the Union Company with regard to the Bluff-Mel-bourne service. Some months ago the head office of the' Union' Company made special representations to overseas companies to tranship cargo from Alelburne instead of Sydney, but were met with the unanswerable argument that it was cheaper’ to tranship from Sydney. It was right that that fact should be meu-\ tioned to show that the Uniion Company.' was helping the chamber 1 . Air Gray said the chamber should , not close its eyes to the fact mentioned by Air Tyson. At the same time the chamber should press for the Bluff-Alelbourne. service, and perhaps ask, the Government ? for a subsidy... .- ; . Air Tysqn said that :if Dunedin importers would stipulate for shipment/ via

Alelbourne it would get over the difficulty. A discussion took place as to the ex tent of the service from Australia to New Zealand via Bluff. It was asked, was it proposed to take the steamer to Lyttelton only, there to turn back, or was it to go to Wellington? Others suggested that the old horseshoe service should be reinstated. Another member thought the steamer should stop at Bluff and return to Australia, cargo to be railed from that port northward.

Air Tyson thought the committee should arrive at a definite conclusion on the matter, and moved —“ That the committee recommend the resumption of the horseshoe service, with more frequent runs.” Air S. P. Cameron seconded the motion, which was carried. Air Allen expressed disappointment with the lack of enthusiasm shown by the Christchurch Chamber in the matter of the South Island service. He thought the chamber should ask the Alelbourne Chamber to again communicate with the Union Company, suggesting, at the same time, that it should approach the Victorian Government with regard to assisting in any subsidy that might be provided by the New Zealand and Tasmanian Governments. It was agreed to forward Air Alien's suggestions to the Alelbourne Chamber. “ AUSTRALASIA.” Consideration was given to the fact that the Union Steam Ship Company was continuing to use the word “ Australasia ” in its pocket guide. “As the word is objectionable to New Zealanders, it is hoped the use of the word will be discontinued,’’ said the secretary of the Dunedin Chamber in a letter addressed to the Wellington Chamber. It was resolved to suggest to the associated chambers to take action in the matter. COMAIERCIAL AIOTOR VEHICLES. Air A. S. Cookson, secretary of the General Carriers and Coal Alerchants’ Union of Employers, wrote forwarding copies of a statement prepared by the New Zealand Alaster Carriers’ Federation in support of its contention that the taxation on commercial motor vehicles was unduly heavy. A petition for relief, of the excessive motor tax now being im posed on commercial vehicles. This taxation is greatly restricting the use of motor transport, which is recognised as an essential factor in the extension of business and in the development of the country and affects all classes of the community.” Air Park seconded the motion. After a discussion, the motion was withdrawn and the matter was referred to the Transport Committee to report to the executive, with power to act. DUTY ON ANTIQUES. The chairman, reporting on the subject of antiques, said the Government had decided to allow these articles to come into the Dominion free. The executive did not altogether approve of this, unless the articles were required for museum or education purposes. Air Campbell said that those people who were in a position to buy expensive antiques and bring them to the Dominion should pay a duty on them. Air A. C. Cameron thought the chamber should leave the matter alone. Why should New Zealand not possess antiques of value and of interest to the people? It was resolved to protest against antiques coming in free, except for museum or education purposes.

RAILWAY AIATTERS. Air Taylor reported that a deputation had waited on the General Alanager of Railways regarding (1) an alteration in the railway districts and (2) the retention of .suburban rates. The latter matter was agreed to at once by the General Manager, and the railway districts had been altered on the lines suggested by the deputation. It was decided to write to the General Manager, thanking him for what he had done in the matter. DELEGATION TO VANCOUVER.

Regarding the delegation to Vancouver. Air Taylor said it was proposed to send two representatives from Dunedin —an educational expert and a commercial man —to attend the-conference to be held in Vancouver next Easter to consider education questions, as requested by Professor Osborne, who visited Dunedin a few weeks ago. THE MAUI POAIARE. The chairman made a statement respecting the Alaui Pomare’s shipment of bananas from Samoa. The shipment, he said, had been ruined through over-heat-ing. He did not know how many eases had been thrown overboard. Since last meeting the committee had had several conferences with the Fruitgrowers’ Association, the Expansion League, shippers, and others. One firm in Dunedin was likely to lose £3OO, because it was looking forward to securing some of these bananas and had not made arrangements to get bananas from any other quarter. Air S. P. Cameron said it was unfortunate that on a boat, specially fitted up for the carriage of fruit, the cargo should be cooked on the second trip of the steamer. . Air Campbell said the vessel had been specially constructed to carry fruit, and on the second trip the cargo had to be thrown overboard. Air Taylor said the special committee had already sent forward a request to the Government for a full report. Air Tyson thought the matter was so serious that the Government must make full inquiry into the position on its own account. The Government, for its own protection, must go into the matter. '■ No action was taken by the committee.