CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Southland Times, Issue 20013, 29 October 1926, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

REMITS TO CONFERENCE DISCUSSED. ® A meeting of members of the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday, Mr T. W. Vickery presiding over an attendance of 14. The following remits, prepared by Mr A. H. Mackrell for consideration at the forthcoming conference of the Association of New Zealand Chambers of Commerce were read:— “That the conference enters a strong protest against the continued curtailment of express and passenger train services in the South Island during the winter months, and urges the restoration of the daily through train service which was in use for many years prior to the present restrictions.” “In view of the South Island’s dependence for its welfare and development upon regular and sufficient steamer services with Australia and elsewhere, that the Government be urged to arrange a regular and more satisfactory shipping service between Melbourne and South Island ports.” 'That the Government be asked to investigate fully and report upon the possibilities of extending the operations of the fishing industry in New Zealand, particularly in regard to the canning and marketing of fish abounding in the Dominion’s waters.” “That the conference notes with satisfaction the promise made in the House of Representatives that during the recess a specially constituted committee would consider the question of taxation by way of Customs duties and Land and Income tax.” Mr Mackrell said that he had prepared the remits as none had been forthcoming from the Invercargill Chamber. With regard to the remit referring to the fishing industry, he said that the question of developing the industry should be looked into, lire fact that opportunities were being lost was proved, for instance, by the Ross Sea Whaling Company, which was sending vessels more than halfway round the world to New Zealand waters. The whaling industrylay at New Zealand’s back door, yet the Norwegians were coming and, so to speak, were taking sovereigns from under our noses. The Government was also doing nothing about the development of the fishing industry. It was decided to appoint Messrs Adam Hamilton, M.P., D. Cuthbertson, J. Gilkison and D. Rutledge to represent the Chamber at the conference. OTHER BUSINESS. An invitation to visit the Southland Technical College was extended to members of the Chamber by the College Board. Mr J. H. Reed, on behalf of the board, said that it would be glad to have members visit the building. The board would welcome useful criticism that could be passed on to the department. A short discussion was held on the question of the publication of a Chamber of Commerce organ, and it was decided to instruct delegates to the conference to support the proposaL