CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Southland Times, Issue 20537, 13 July 1928, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. At a meeting of the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon, Mr J. H. Reed presided over the following members: Messrs A. le H. Hoyles, A. E. Bath, J. McCrostie, R. M. Strang, J. Gilkinson, L. Spencer, J. Rodger, J. Pickard, C. Bradfield, Rutledge, J. Stevenson, J. Brass, A. H. Mackrell and W. Johnston HAWKERS AND PEDLARS. The matter of hawkers and pedlars which cropped up at the last meeting of the executive, once again occupied the attention of the chamber. A letter was received from the secretary of the Southland Drapers’ and Clothiers’ Association stating that the matter had been considered at a meeting of the association when members were quite in accord with the views expressed by the Hikurangi Chamber of Commerce with reference to the unsatisfactory state of the taws, by-laws and regulations governing hawkers and pedlars. The suggestion that they should be registered and licensed met with the hearty approval of the association. A letter was also received from the secretary of the Southland Master Grocers’ Association stating the matter had been considered at a meeting of the association. It was felt that as hawkers in and around Invercargill had to be licensed and that steps were taken by the borough inspectors to see that no unlicensed hawkers were about, the association did not feel that it could take any action in the matter. It appeared that the difficulty in the north was due to the fact that the various local bodies did not take any action to see that the hawkers were licensed. It was agreed that the local chamber suggest to the Hikurangi Chamber of Commerce that itinerant vendors be licensed. THE SHIPPING SERVICE. In connection with the Melbourne-Bluff-Dunedin steamer service a letter was received from the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce stating that the matter of the reinstatement of the pre-war service was one that was engaging its attention and that no opportunity was being lost to establish its claims. So far there was no prospect of any improvement, but the chamber would not relax its efforts in the matter. It had been decided to send Messrs E. A. Rosevear (vice-president) and H. C. Campbell to Invercargill to confer with the local chamber. Another letter was received on a later date from the same chamber stating that inquiries were still being pursued as to the possibilities of a regular and improved steamer service between Melbourne, Hobart and the South Island of New Zealand. That the South Island was suffering as a recult of the present irregular and infrequent service there was no doubt and it was also known that the tack of suitable steamer communication was also a very serious matter to Tasmania. The Dunedin Chamber believed that without a subsidy there was little hope of an improved service and suggested that the Government be approached by the South Island Chambers with a view to providing a subsidy together with Tasmania and Victoria. It was believed that these States of the Comomnwealth were desirous of obtaining a better service between the ports named. In the event of action being taken to approach the New Zealand Government, the Dunedin Chamber would be pleased to know if it had the support of the local chamber. The communication was referred to the shipping committee. FERTILIZER CHARGES. In reply to representations made by the local chamber, the District Traffic Manager (Mr J. Pickard) wrote stating that he had received advice that it had been decided that manures ex-ship at Bluff consigned to country stations were to be charged the “through” rate plus handling at ship’s side viz. 1/1 per ton. Where this could not be done owing to the manure being handled in such a manner that consignments could not be railed direct to destination but had to be forwarded to Invercargill for sorting etc., the charges would be: Per Ton s. d. Handling ship’s side .... 1 1 Unloading Invercargill ... 11 Sorting 1 5 Reloading 1 1 To the above charges had to be added freight direct from Bluff to destination. The letter was received. GENERAL. A letter was received from the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce stating that it considered the time was opportune for a reduction of from 2d to Id in regard to stamp duty on cheques and receipts. If the chamber had the support of other chambers, it intended to put this in the form of a remit for the next conference. The local chamber decided to support the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce. It was decided to refer the matter of the C.O.D. system to the Associated Chambers with a recommendation that it be again considered at the next annual meeting. Mr J. Stevenson was re-appointed the chamber’s representative on the Southland League. The nomination of a new member representing the Bluff Harbour Board was sustained.