Wellington Chamber of Commerce.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 4, Issue 19, 10 March 1893, Page 3

Wellington Chamber of Commerce.

A great deal of interest is now taken in the annual address of the President of the above, we therefore, give a few extracts of general interest : The President's Address. The President expressed the pleasure he felt at seeing such a large attendance, which showed that the Chamber was thoroughly alivo. It was a matter for hearty congratulation that our trade and commerce had been fully maintained in a healthy and prosperous condition. Business had generally been conducted on a prudent basis, resulting in a marked diminution in the number and extent of commercial failures, while financial engagements were reported as being well provided for, a factor materially assisting this result being the alteration made in terms of credit three years ago, and which, it was satisfactory to find, was being well observed throughout the colony. The Colony's Exports.—By comparison 1892 had proved to be the record year of our exports, although the official figures scarcely justified this statement. The total value of New Zealand produce exported was £9,867,916, which with re-exports (£124,249) and specie (£44,784) brought the grand total up to £9,536,899, exclusive of parcel post. At their last quarterly meeting, however, he drew attention to what he considered was an over-valuation of our exports, particularly in wool, and he thought it was now admitted our wool was then over-valued, inasmuch as with a better London market the average export values of wool in 1892 had been reduced to 8-766 d per lb, as against 9-834 per lb in 1891. The Banking Returns showed clearly and forcibly the improvement which had been made in New Zealand from 1883 to 1892 (inclusive). In deposits alone there had been an increase of five millions. The improvement had been brought about by reducing expenditure and increasing the population. The Frozen Meat Trade.—The export in frozen moat was 180,830 cwt less in 1892 than in 1891, but he regarded the decrease as only temporary. The President alluded to the service which Lord Onslow had rendered the colony in bringing New Zealand meat forward at Home, and expressed the opinion that if the branding of the carcases was insisted upon the sale would decrease, because large retailers who were now spiling it for besfc Scotch or Squthdqwn woqld no'purchase, consequently jibe srs> Class trade wriuid i}e destroye/]. ' Maorj Land— The president referred jio the fact that theie were 10,000,000 acres of Native land prac-

tically locked up from settlement, and he urged the Chamber to pass a resolution calling on the Government to take prompt action. The Dairy Business.—The exports of butter for the year ending 81st December, 1892, were £227,162, as against £150,258 for the previous year, showing an increase of £76,904. The export value of butter during 1891 was 8-166 d, and in 1892 the value rose to 9*025d. The President dwelt on the importance of sending away only the finest quality butter. The export of cheese was somewhat disappointing, as it only showed an increase of £4,275. It was, however, satisfactory to find that the aggregate value of cheese and butter exported in 1892 was £818,204. Land Settlement.—During the past five years 10,783 selectors had taken up an acreage of 2,844,996 acres, this being exclusive of pastoral runs and associations in 1892.