CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12016, 5 March 1920, Page 6

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. Welliutgon, March 8. The annual conference of the Association of New Zealand Chambers of Commerce opened in the hall of the Wellington Chamber. The following remits were adopted The Conference recommends the Government to consider favourably the appointment of a Minister of Commerce advised by a wmoott of 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 as to all taxes whether direct or indirect, to he levied for the year commencing April Ist, 1919. That all profit earning departments of the State, in oases where the whole of the profits are not paid into the consolidated fund, or where they are not already liable tor 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 all local authorities should be made liable for income tax and land tax in respect of thoir commercial activities.

That the Government be urged to introduce legislation during next session on 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 owners of goods more equitable terms and conditions. Further, that the Government bo urged to take this question up with the Governments of other British Dominions with a view to securing by joint representation 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 next session of Parliament. That shipping companies be requested to issue through bills of lading to at least all Australian main ports. That those overseas shipping companies whose bills of lading are so ambiguously worded as to enable them to repudiate liability altogther when the value of goods missing exceeds the bill of lading limitation, be requested to bring their bill of lading conditions into lino with those companies who pay up to limitation stated in the bill of lading, or a proportion of such limitation; that failing acquiescence, importers be recommended to request their overseas shippers to give preference of shipment to shipping companies who admit liability. That action be taken to secure the discontinuance 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 main ports. A Maori lands repuisition was brought forward by Mr R L Paterson, Napier, who moved that in the interests of and for the protection of the native race“ the ;Government be strongly urged to purchase ail unutilised native land, including all native land which had been leased but has reverted to the owners and decreased in productiveness, at a fair valuation of the present value of land, paying the native owners interest only at a fair rate, thereby protecting tiie natives from ruin and avoiding thoir becoming a burden on the State, and further releasing a large area for returned soldiers and bona ficie farmers. The remit was carried by 11 votes to 9.