AUSTRALIAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13729, 18 March 1915, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

CONFERENCE AT HOBART.

(Received March I£, 10.15 p.m.) Hobart, March 17

The annual conference of the Commonwealth Chambers of Commerce carried resolutions in favour of voluntary tribunals of arbitration for the settlement of commercial and other disputes; the establishment of wireless stations at the Solomons and other Pacific islands; the metric system of weights and measures and decimal coinage; a uniform marine insurance policy covering all risks from warehouse to warehouse; an amendment of the shipping law so that captured ships may bo moved from one British port to another without the vexatious delays, which recently occurred; and the holding of a conference of representatives of shipowners and importers with a view of arriving at a solution as to the non-liability of shipping companies in respect to the delivery of goods except at the ship's slings.

The Conference protested against the increased light dues and the double income tax. It was decided to request the Commonwealth Government to open negotiations with the British, New Zealand, and Canadian Governments with a view of securing a substantial reduction of cable rates.

It was resolved that as the present time is opportune for the strengthening of the commercial relations of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, the Commonwealth Government be requested to open negotiations.