CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XC, Issue 13274, 1 May 1907, Page 6

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Jha annual meeting of the South CanterTtarv Chamber of Commerce was held in the Borough Council Chamber last- evening- Tho President, Mr J. P. Newman, ocapied the chair, and there were about tive-and-twenty other members present, representative of many branches of business.

COMMITTEE'S REPORT. ,'Tb coranrittees stated that they bod. held twelve meetings, -with st good averageattendance, besides a ntimber of sub-eommitttee meetings of the Chamber. ■Tie membership numbered 60 at the outset and it -was now SO. The commutes •would liTte to secure a snitab'e room for meetings, cad as a place to keep books and pajpre. So far the 'committee had teen indebted to the Canterbubry Farmers Co-operative Association for the use of a room. The President and Messrs M. White and D. C. Emboli were appointed , a. sub-committee to fix the "f.a.q." stand- ■ strds for wheat and oats ; sealed samples - -were left in the secretary's hands, and talk samples sent to the valines Chamber:,in New Zealand and to the principal ports V in Australia; and South. Africa and Great ■I ■ Britain, aid samples had been available at 1 any time for the rise of members. On ►' ; representations made by the committee, the ■. Chief Postmaster extended the tims for closing the San Francisco mail®, and a' late fee. letter-box had been placed at the railway station. A sub-committee had furnished .a complete list of mercantile chargies. which it was hoped would meet with the approval of business men. On thj representations of the committee the two.companies had arranged for a-regular:! 'alternate fwo-monthly service of steam-j ers to land direct cargo at Timam. The, committee had also communicated with the Union Company and Httddari Parker and Co.. and both companies bad promised to consider "the'r rcqnest that. Austra'ian boats should call at Timaru. The report related to steps taken to determine the question cI holidays, and the'list of those agreed upon was given. The committer also dealt with the question of the proposed reciprocal tariff with Australia, and while afSnning the general principle re■presentations were made to the ActingPremier that the proposals were altogether too one-sided and crude to be enter- . tainei. Regre': was expressed that a proposal to hold a conference )of Chambers of Commerce had fallen throrgh. Numerous communications had . been received /rem IriacTrei «hrT.tnbers T asking for support* ini efforts to introduce reforms. Support had been given to the Oamaru Chamber m the matter of reduction of haulage raies from stores to wfiarves. and representations had been made in favour of increased telephonic communication between Oainaru and Tim am, Timaru and <hbcrton. and Oamaru and Dunen'in. The committee had now under considera- • ion amendments and additions to the Bankruptcy Act> .proposed by the Auckland Chamber." Yarious other suggestions had been made, which had been report ed in brief in the daily papers. The balance-shest- showed an expndiinre of £55 Bs, the principal ittms of which were: advertising, printing etc. £7 4s 5.1, grain samples appliances etc. £6 7s lOd, postage £1 15s lid, and secretary's salary £2O. The reveipts totalled £56 13s 6d—subscriptions £55 13s. sale of grain ram pies £1 Gs 6d. The credit balance was therefore £2l 5s 6d. THE PRESIDENT'S. ADDRESS. Th? President, in moving the adoption of the.Committers report, said that menbers would have learned from it that the Chamber had been able to achieve some little measure of success, in its efforts to do what lay in its power to foster and increase the com Ear ce of the town and port of Timam. and to initiate some necessary reforms that had appeared to desirable for the common good, and though the total of achievement had not been great, the measure of success already met with should prove an inceativs to continued and increasing energy in the near future. The Chamber had been established as an auxiliary to individual effort and enterprise, for the bene tit of combination in the promotion of local industries, the redress ot" exiting evils or defects, the amicable settlement of business differences and disputes, and the promotion of growth and expansion of tra.de and commerce. He desired to emphasize the fact that one* of thci fundament- ' al aims of the Chamber was to be of service to the small tradesmen and shop- * keepers, as much 'as to the wholesale merchant, and the Committee would gladly ' welcome a more lively interest, and a more general and hearty support from the small traders of the town. la many ways the Chamber could be mad? really helpful to such, and the Committee would like to s e a greatly increased membership, and would welcome suggestions affecting matters of general commercial interest, or of other matters that could legitimately come wi'iin the sphere of the Chamber. Th'} President went on to speak of t! a healthy and satisfactory state of trade during th.' last twelve months, owing to the highly satisfactory prices that had th'ed for, all kinds ,of produce, that with ready sales had made money plentiful throughout the colony. It had been predicted that the Exhibition world have deleterious effort upon betsin ess in Timaru. ' but the general consensus of opinion seemed to indicate that little or no marked i 1 . effect had been felt. The growth and progress of Timaru had been strikingly . brmrdi* —' ( of some of the tiacst oi ocuui-going si. j ,

ers at this port, and the large aggregate of exports and imports handled. Old resident? 'of ; Timaru must have looked with feelings akin to amazement when they saw in the haibour recently such leviathans as the At heme, Ayrshire, and Waimate, together with several Union steamers and coastal traders. Mr Newman mentioned the cargo handled for the three Home traders, and then remarked that th-s Harbour Board deserved the best thanks of the community for the en'erprise they had displayed in their programme of progressive improvements. It was satis-, factory to note that the new bucketdredge was doning splendid work, the benefit of which had already been seen in tho berthing of the Waimate beside the Moody Wharf. The President next referred to the recent Exhibition at Christchurch, and congratulated the Government

on the success of this big undertaking. Whilst it was to be regretted that it was not an international exhibition, there was much to interest, educate and entertain;

and its effect in strengthening the bends of sympathy between thisi colony and Canada must have good and perhaps far-reaching results. The success of South Canterbury in the friendlv rivalrv between the district

courts, had been hailed with satisfaction here, and the various local bodies who generously supported the Committee by voting funds to defray the necessary expenses, deserved thsir warm'thanks. It was a matter for regret that the man.' whose - enterprise and forethought were preeminently responsible for the initiation of the scheme for the Exhibition should have been stricken down so suddenly before it had been launched. Referring to the drought v of the "past summer, Mr Newman said it had fortunately proved lees disastrous that -was at one-time feared. While

there had been some individual cases of severe loss, the district generally had made a rapid recovery, and there had been no severe financial embarrassment or commer-

cial -panic. Attention had 'recently been called to the desirability of steps being taken to' encourage and establish fresh manufacturing industries in our midst. This was a matter deserving of the earnest and immediate attention, not- only of the Chamber of Cagunerce, but of the entire business .community of Timaru, as in this direction lay the, bsst hope of bringing the district to tho front in the march of progress. Then; was surely a fair. _ field for enterprise and energy in this direction, to provide employment, for oar sons and attract outside skilled labour. At the Exhibition they had had an example set them in collections of manufacturers - labelled " Made in "Can-

ada." He' hoped in the next few years to ses a large increase in thc< range of staple manufactures that could be labelled "Made •ill Timaru." Under the existing differentiro railway a tremendous handicap was placed upon Timaru in regard to the cost of sending her manufactures to other markets in this and adjacent provinces. While Cbristchurch had a cheap rate'to Timarti. the South Canterbury manufacturer was loaded -with a heavy rate to any of the larger centres. This was a grievance that needed prompt redress, and the Committf.e of the Chamber proposed to do all in their power to get tho Minister of Railways no readjust rates on a more equitable footing. The President then mtide some reference to the preferential tariff scheme of Mr Joseph Chamberlain, and the proposals made for reciprocal tariff concessions betwean Xew Zealand uifci Australia, which were rejected ;us unfair to Xew Zealand, and to the conclusion of a preferential tariff -agreement with South Africa. This had not been productive of much advantage to this dis'rict as yet, owing to the temporary cessation of shipments caused by the drought and consequent high prices of produce. The Committee's report had dealt with the direct freight service frcm London to Tiniaru, the extended basis and regularity of which were, appreciated by the*trading community and the service was therefore being supported. The Committee no",ed with fatisfaction the proposals of the Harbour Board to extend the wharfage accommodation along the Xorth Mole, the reed fr.r additional wharfage having been frequently demonstrated. A suggestion made at the general meting that the I Chamber endeavour to induce the I weekly Australian steamers to call at-Tim- ; ;>rt> had besn acted on. Though no definite' promise had been made the idea had been not altogether unfavourably received by the Union Company and (he* HuddartParker Company, and lie ventured to hone tha-i before long the proposal would b' given a fair trial. There were difficulti"-" to be surmounted, but as trade would be sure to follow the service, it was not improbably '• hat the experimeiit would prove remunerative to the Companies, and it would undoubtedly tend to foster the expansion of the port and district. Reference wps rext made by the President to a proposal to erect a foe>, bridge over the railway yard at George Street, which was .subsequently put »>ire in favour of a cart bridge in line- with Bcsvn'ck Street. The •ailwav engineer came down to inspect the site.'and promised to report, but so far-nothing had been hea r d-froni th» Department. Considerable delay and inconvenience were caused at present by the .'at.ermi'jt-T.t block o? traffic over (he Strathallan Street crossing: the evil must, increase with increasing business, and it would be wife therefore to anticipate :he requirements of the near future, and secure a full free thoroughfare t<> the wharves and railway sheds. The President referral *t> f l -'- .' irt:-T! r.rm!: •• < f b u Vi-i-jcie -- during the past \%ar, ;he total deficiency

being some £27 CO, and the welcome concession:. ill postal and telegraph rates, to the increases in the over sea trade, both in imports and exports exception being the exports of wheat and hour, which were 112,C00 and 1000 sacks short respectively. The shortage in the.se was mainly due to Australian shippeis, who with lower market price"; and cheaper freights had secured a large portion of the .South African trade which previously had come to 2s ew Zealand. J.he total values of imports and . exports for 1906, fho wed satisfactory increases over those for 1905. The Acting-Premier, in a speech at Little River a few days ago, gave statistics of the increase in the exports of mutton, lamb, butter, cheese, and hemp, for the twelve months ended olst March, the increase totalling £1,129,C00. The years figures and the* increases over 19C6 were: Value. Increase'. "\lulton £1,341,053 £246,946 Lamb £1,426.273 £267,632 ■ Beef £380,290 £lSß,7vl , Che:S3 £440,713 £175,629 Butter £1,529,530 £86,246 Hemp £844,403 £153,826 There had thus been a steady expansion of trade and an increase of spending power, in spit-o of the- country being handicapped by drought. A warning was given that adverse seasons wiil assuredly come round again, and then will come unavailing regrets that people had nob been more thrifty. A few words of dissatisfaction were said regarding bank holidays, this Ghambsr agreeing with some, o hers "that banks should adopt the same holidays as ithe rest of the community. Especially objectionable were the bunk holidays on Saints' Days, when the rest of the community were busy. He was glad to see that there was a general desire in tho larger centre" to observe Empire Day as a holiday in place of the Prince of Wales' Birthday. Tho President concluded his address as follows:—"I think, gentlemen, it may be fairly claimed that as a town, port, and district v/e are ji/st now occupying a very forward position among the important centres of the colony. We are fortunate in possessing the ssrvicc.s and influence a progressive and enterprising Mayor, wno has the confidence and support of his Council and the ratepayers generally. The underground drainage scheme, electric lighting of the town, and the erection of a°ne-.v Town Eall, Library and Municipal Buildings, are all big and ambitious steps towards the advancement of the town, and the ratepayers are to be congratulated on having these works practically in hand: In like manner our Harbour Board lias nou been behindhand, in. prosecuting big undertakings not only to maintain but to verv materially add to tue safety and effectiveness of our-port. Moreover, the amount of enterprise by individual residents in the erection of house properties and business premises discloses a confidence and belief in the near future advancement of Timaru. that endors:s the eft ex-pressed ppinion that it is destined to eventually become a large and important centre. I venture to think that we all participate in this conviction, and I hope that* in the course of its growth and expansion the influence and assistance of this Chamber will largely contributa to our commercial success." _

Mr M. White, in- seconding the motion, said that the work done by the Chamber in its initial year had,fully justified its establishment. . The work was always- increasing, and a Chamber was absolutely* necessary. A hirge number of question's were cropping up that could only be set- ' tied by such a Chamber. • There was only one unsatisfactory claus® in-t!i? report — that referring to the membership ; oughe to 'be five or six times as large;* 80 was a ridiculous number for such a district a> South Canterbury. The Chamber was of great value to every individual and 'firm in' business, and therefore, every trader should support, it and help to,carry on its work.' The thanks of members were due •to Mr Newman lor .the very full,and clear' statement be had furnished, and the committee knew that Mr Newman' had taken a very great amount of interest in the Chamber, and devoted a great amount- of time to it. * .

Mr C. H. Tripp ttiid he' was surprised to leam how many objects the Chamber had dealt with during the year, and had carried through with energy and tact, and he endorsed Mr White's praise'of Mr Newman's address. • > ,

Mr Craigie also congratulated the president on his excellent address, and he agreed that the Chamber had justified its existence. He hoped-thj committee would bo successful in i'.s efforts to gut Australian boats to call at Timaru, andltliao tlity would leave no i.tone unturned to secure that end, as it would be tie best ,adver-. tisimenl. possible tor Timaru and . the surrounding district. (Hear, hear.) Other' matters needing attention were the need for reducing tha charge for haulage between the wharves and the goods-hed; the unfairness of the differencial rate bet-.veen Oamaru and Dunedin, which, if it was to be retained, should bs applied between Oamaru and Timaru also. (Hear, hear.) Mr Craigie asked for the support of the Chamber'in obtaining adequate accommodation lor the Technical School, and concluded by congratulating the committee on the amount of work done. Mr W. Evans added his congratulations. Mr T. D. Young recommended the Chamber to iseek authority to send a ,re--presentative to the Harbour Board, as is done elsewhere. ' 'Mr W. Efans said he used to sit as representative of the Chamber in the old clays. He did not remember why the system was altered. Tli-j president said the committee had ascertained that it would need an amendment of the Harbour Boards Act.

Mr Orwin suggested a, line of work for the nest year, in the extension of lhe telephone service, to a continuous ' one —Hear, hear)—and on Sundays also. The secretary, Mr C. S. Frassr, understood thai- saine import ant improvements of tho service wei-a contemplated. Mr C. 11. Tripp sta'tsd that, acting in conjunction with a few others, lie had petitioind the Railway Department to improve the " slow " train services. Of late years these trains had started earlier, travelled slower, and arrived later than formerly. Ons result of this was that auctioneers and others attending the Gtraldine sales cow travelled by motor car, and he informed the Departmrni that on ilie d«y he wrote he raw four cars conveying 14 people, going to Geraldine. He received' a courteous reply, giving the average nrmber of passengers each way. He replied that he was astonished that there were so fe-w, and suggested that if they started •earlier and ran a little slower they would kill the. passenger traffic altogether, and get purely goods trains. It- soe-mel th-.it those slew trains Wrre run all Uv:- year round oil a time-tub!e made to suit. the two busy months, and that w;:.3 manifestly abiurd. Mr Tripp pointed out that fat present one covld leave- Christchurch by. either of the two expresses and get back the .same day. wherea-. -it was impossible to get from Tiniaru t-> Chriskhurch and back in one day. The Chambjr should keep in view obtaining an. express from Timaru to Christchurch and back. . Mr Craigie suggested the necessity fir widening the Timaru rt-at-lon plntfoim. Ill: suggestion war. applaude.l, and was strongly support el by pre':i-'lt;->i Report ;'iid balance sheet w. r.s then formally adopted.. After some reference to Ilia Factory Act '•irenh'r, Mr yewrcmn w;>:-- -nanirno-'ely reelected president. Mr M. White was

elected vice-president, and Messrs H. Eaton, H. R. Godfrey, J. LiOico, W. W. Baxter, G. S. Cray, W. Penrose, and K. G. Turner were elected the committee. A vote Of thanks to the chairman closed the nieeting.