CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1787, 5 November 1919, Page 7

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Council ©f\ the Chamber of Commerce was. presided over by Mr J. G. Herdman. It- was reported that a telegram hod been sent to the Minister of Internal Affairs with ' reference to a report that the Commonwealth Government would not allow the exportation of dried fruits to New Zealand. . A reply had been received stating that the Board of Trade is making representations to the Commonwealth Government in the direction desired. The Prime Minister had also been communicated with, asking that the ■ cargo ex the Tahiti'should be brought on to Lyttelton, as she was loading only for Dunedin. A reply had been received that the vessel was fixed for the Bluff and Dunedin, and. the Westrolia was loading at the same time for Wellington and Lyttelton. This was the best arrangement that could be made in view of the urgency of tonnage for coal:' A letter was received from a firm enclosing copy of a letter from Noumea, suggesting that the chambers of commerce should endeavour to arrange for a subsidy- for regular trading in New Zealand products. As this matter ifffected Auckland and Wellington more closely, it was decided to.| advise those chambers. The British Trade Commissioner for New Zealand wrote on the subject of rate of exchange on drafts for American goods. The j associated chambers wrote on the same E subject, stating that the conversion of the 1 dollar would he at the ruling rate at the 1 time of the shipment of goods. The dnte r which was,originally November 1, had been altered to February 1. The South Island Main Trunk Railway. League wrote regretting the absence of a--, representative of Canterbury on the depu-' tation which waited on the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Public Works to urge the speedy completion of the South Island Main Trunk Railway. It was decided to reply that every attempt was made tot—arrange for a representative, but the time was too short and those asked were unable I to go. The Farmers' Federation forwarded a copy of a model bill of lading which had been framed by the Importers' Association » in New South Wales. This was«referred to. the importers' and exporters' sectional committees. The consular agent fpr France wrote ? stating that the annual Paris fair will be held from May 10 to 25, 1920. At this fair, the exhibits are entirely the industrial products of France, and foreign buyers are able to buy manufactures in which they. 1 are interested. Acknowledgments of the proposals of tee chamber with regard to a Minister of In> . dustries arid Commerce and Railway Construction were received from the Hastings. I Palmerston North, Invercargill, Wangamu, South Canterbury, Auckland and Gisborne chambers. • It was decided to recommend the quarter* ly meeting to alter the articles Of . association, to include the election of firm* or corporations us members. The late delivery of malls by the ferry steamer was referred to and three members were appointed to wait upon the Chief I Postmaster In connection with this and other postal matters. ~ . • A letter was received on the subject or the Cook Islands Administration, asking the support of the chamber In requesting the Governmeiit to grant the commission full powers to inquire into the administration and causes of dissatisfaction. - :,jM The Associated Chambers wrote that the annual conference will be held towards the end of February.