PROMOTING TRADE

Southland Times, Issue 20615, 13 October 1928, Page 7

PROMOTING TRADE

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE. CONFERENCE AT WELLINGTON. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, October 12. Delegates to the conference of Associated Chambers of Commerce were welcomed by the Mayor. Addressing the assembly the GovernorGeneral said he noted that among other objects, they aimed to promote the interests of trade and commerce in the Dominion. That, he thought, must now have a much wider interpretation. First and foremost we must consider the interests of the Empire and how we can help Empire trade and what is of equal importance, Empire spirit. There were at the moment, three commissions in the Dominion closely connected with Imperial trade and commerce, these being the Forestry and Empire Marketing Board, Ford of Clyde Trust and Lord Lovat in regard to settlement. Various objects were stressed by Sir Charles Fergusson who commended objects to the conference in regard to immigration. He said that it was a calamity for any young country, the resources of which were endless, to have to restrict immigration. With more immigrants of the right sort we could get more help not only for the country but for secondary industries. He did not think that secondary industries would ever be assisted by raised tariffs. The real solution was sufficient population to support secondary industries and compete with outsiders. The Right Hon. Sir Francis Bell, who represented the Government, said that he trusted the conference would not press for reforms in the Companies Act until the English Act, passed at last session, was to hand as he desired to avoid conflicting local interpretations in hope of achieving Imperial consonance.