CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 28, 10 March 1914, Page 5

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MONTHLY MEETING.

SOME IMPORTANT BUSINESS,

The monthly meeting of the Council of the Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon, the president, Mr E. G. Staveley, being in the chair. The report of the Produce Sectional Committee with reference to standard samples of grain, agricultural statistics, and stripes on, woolpacks was adopted. The Importers' Sectional Committee reported having supported the suggestion of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce with reference to Customs regulations, and a reply was received from the Secretary of-Customs stating that the department had no intention of debarring Custom-house agents from taking ad valorem declarations, and that both licensed agents and postmasters would for the purpose of section 281 of the Act, be appointed officers of Customs. The reply was referred to the Importers"' Sectional Committee.

The committee appointed to consider Mr Joshua Little's letter on the subject of reclamation of land at Lyttelton, recommended that Mr Little be advised that in the opinion of the council it is inadvisable and unnecessary for the chamber to interfere with the policy of such a representative body as the Lyttelton Harbour Board, which in this matter is guided by the counsel of an eminently qualified engineer. Mr C. C. Beade, organiser of the Australasian Town Planning Tour, wrote with reference to the proposed lantern leeture to be given by Mr W. E. Davidge and himself on town planning, stating that they would undertake the lecture without fee other than out-of-pocket expenses. They asked that the Chamber of Commerce would pass a resolution asking the Government to grant financial assistance so that the lectures could be made free to the public. It was decided to reply that the information was received with pleasure, but as it was evidently a municipal matter the correspondence had been forwarded to the town clerk. The New York Chamber of Commerce forwarded a- -letter on the subject of international in commercial questions. This was referred to a subcommittee to consider.

The British Imperial Council of Commerce wrote that it would be necessary to commence the organisation of the ninth congress of chambers of commerce of the Empire, and forwarded list of chambers in New Zealand for verification. The of the Department of Customs w|6te that arrangements had" been made for the establishment of more intimate relations between the British Consular Ssr.yice and the Dominion, sir as 'to assist'' trade and commerce of the Dominion foreign countries. Concession had been made that any New Zealand firm would be at liberty to apply direct to any of his Majesty's consuls for information as to possibilities of sale of New Zealand products. The British Government would supply the New Zealand Government with copies of trade reports as published, and it was asked if any suggestions as to what reports should be asked for could be made. The letter was referred to the Importers' and Exporters' Committees.

The director of the Technical College advised that it was prabable that the elections of representatives of contributing bodies would take place in May or. June in future instead of January or February. The Auckland Provincial Industrial Association wrote asking for- the views of the chamber as to intervening to obtain preferential rates on the railway for forwarding timber of Bft and under, which was at present, only waste. It was decided to reply that as this was not a timber exporting port the chamber could not render any assistance in the direction required. The letter was referred to the Industrial Association. The British and Dominions Producers' Association advised that Mr H. L. Riseley had left London on December 26, and would probably reach here early in May. The Superintendent of Telegraphs, referring to the letter as to the size of telegraph forms, stated that the size had received great consideration when first issued, and was reduced to the width of an ordinary sheet of foolscap. It was expected that when the forms to te printed by the new machine were circulated there would be very little room for complaint. The General Manager of Railways advised that he anticipated being in Christchurch in about a month's time, and

would be pleased to meet the deputation appointed to confer with him. The Greymouth Borough Council wrote asking the support of the chamber in urging on the Government the necessity of establishing a daily mail service to the West Coast. It was decided to write to the Postmaster-General accordingly. Mr J. H. Estill wrote thanking the chamber for the manner in which he was treated during his stay in Christchurch. The resolutions passed at the conference held in Wellington on the subject of the Panama Exposition were forwarded by the secretary, and it was agreed that the pfesident of the chamber, together with the presidents of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association and Industrial Association should confer as to the matters to be brought before a committee to be appointed. Mr G. M. Butterworth wrote on behalf of the Christchurch Eeform-in-Eate Association, asking the chamber to use its influence towards preserving the previous system of mixed rating. The letter was received.