CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

Southland Times, Issue 22727, 1 November 1935, Page 7

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

CONFERENCE CONTINUED.

(Per United Press Association.)

Napier, October 31. The Associated Chambers of Commerce Conference which was continued to-day decided that where the system of rating had been adopted by a poll no further poll on a similar question should be taken for five years and that 25 per cent, of the ratepayers should be required to petition seeking such a poll; that an inquiry should be made as to the practicability of settling commercial disputes by voluntary arbitration; that the Government be urged to re-consider the recommendations _of the National Expenditure Commission to which effect has not yet been given; that the duty and surtax should be abolished on all imported goods from self-governing colonies. The conference decided it was desirable that the duty on goods imported from certain countries _ in which the living conditions were inferior to Empire conditions should be increased. This afternoon the delegates will make a tour of the district. The following officers were elected,: President, Mr Norton Francis (Christchurch); vice-president, Mr M. G. C. McCaul (Wellington); immediate past president, Mr A. H. Allen (Dunedin); executive, Messrs H. Anderson (Napier), A. S. Burgess (Wanganui), A. G. Lunn (Auckland), C. B. Tapley (Invercargill), G. D. Virtue (South Canterbury), A. F. Wright (Canterbury), Stronach Paterson (Wellington), F. H. Bass (Wellington), J. Halligan (Wellington), I. J. V. James (Wellington), J. C. Morrison (Wellington), C. J. Norwood (Wellington), C. A.'L. Treadwell (Wellington). The 1936 conference is to be held at Timaru.