CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13644, 11 July 1908, Page 6

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

A meeting of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce was held in the Loan and Mercantile Company's rooms last evening, Mr M. White being in the chair.. Mr Newman, the late chairman, congratulated Mr White on his accession to the position if chairman. Mr White thanked the committee for their kind wishes and hoped to have a busy and useful year. ( , The secretary (Mr G. S- Fraser) submitted proof copies of the annual report and these were approved. He suggested that the list of members could be considerably increased by interviewing runholders, lawyers, the medical profession and others. All shades of the community were benefiting by the chamber's labours and it was to be hoped that they would show their appreciation by supporting the chamber and becoming members. —it was resolved that circulars be issued and tliat the committee nee their beet endeavours to increase the roll.

Tlie secretary laid before the committee advance copies of various Bills that are to come before Parliament this session. A letter was read -from the Mackenzie County Council, requesting the Chamber to support a petition to the Minister of "Railways to improve, the train service between Fairlie and Tiinaru, by insituting a double sen-ice daily and a fast passenger train on Saturdays. It was stated that goods were frequently delayed owing to the incapacity of the engines to draw the loads.—While generally approving of the request the Chamber empowered the Transport Committee to deal with the matter.

Letters were read from the Wellington Chamber of Commerce (at the instance of the Customs Department) relating to the valuations of exports. The question asked was " whether the basis of valuation ought'to-be the actual valuation at the time of shipment oi l ,an. average price representing the average of net valuation, with a percentage added or deducted according as the market has risen or fallen." —lt was resolved that the valuation. should he the actual one at the 'time of shipment. A further letter from Wellington was read advocating the representation of Chambers of Commerce on Harbour Boards and Soliciting this Chamber's support to the insertion of a clause in the Bill to be brought before Parliament, giving Chambers representation. Agreed to; the member for thedistrict to use his influence to further the movement.

The Manchester Ship Canal Company wrote pointing out the facilities given by that: port for dealing with the .Dominion produce. It was pointed out that Manchester supplies a district containing 10,000.000 people.—Received. The following sub-committees were appointed : —Holiday, standard grain samples, transport, retail traders. Messrs J. ; E. S. Jackson, F. Raymond aiid.W. .D. Kevell were elected members. It was decided to endeavour to obtain a permanent meeting room.