CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13914, 27 May 1909, Page 6

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ANNXJAiL MEETING. Tho third annual meeting of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce was held in the Borough Council Chambers last night when the President, Sir Moses White, occupied the chair and there were also present:— Messrs W. Priest, H. Eaton, W. Bascand, J. S. Gillies. K. G. Turner, H. B. Kirk, J. C. Oddie, D. C. Turnbull, G. R. Joyce, F. S. Candy, T- D. Young, \V. Wicksteed, W. Revell, G. S. Cray, and the secretary, Mr C. S. Fraser. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs J. P. Newman, R. H. Bowie, and J. Hole. ' The report of the committee, as published yesterday was taken as read. Mr Fraser read the balance sheet, showing a credit of £7B 12s 3d. There was brought forward from last year £43 3s Id, and subscriptions amounted to £B7 13s 6d, a total of £l3O 16s 7d on the receipts side. The expenses were—Advertising and printing £l3 4s 6d, standard grain samples £2 16s, delegates to Oamaru and Wellington £l2 17s Bd, stomps, telegrams and telephones £2 16s 2d, bank charge 10s, secretary's salary, £2O, a total of £52 4s 4d. Tlie renort of the committee and the balance-sheet were adopted. The presidential address was then delivered by Air Wliit<> T who began by thanking the committee for the keen interest it continued to takp in the business of the chamber. He was pleased to report an increase in the membership dnring the year. There were still a large number of business men in the district who should become members, however. Tlie elmmbe'- had dealt with a wido range of subjects, fiut there was "-still much for the new oommittee to do. ' He thought it could ■not be gainsaid that the chamber-was (Tfcjit facte- for ge- 'l. whole of Sorith Canterbury. Air White went on refer to harbour matters with which he dealt- in some detail. T'>e exports and imports had during 1908 by 5620 tons over that of the previous ■cear and the total amount of shipping r>t. the port showed an increase of 37.092 tons, as comnnred with that for 1907. It was gratifying to tb"' TJ»nf>ru still r«tai"ed the rnxsition of third port in the "Dominion for the export of frozen meat, and thi= year

promised to be a record year in this branch of exports. It was also a matter for congratulation that vessels drawing up to 23ft. of water could be safely loaded at the port in any state of the tide. The shortage of 1715 tons of direct cargo last year might be ac-' counted for by the stringency of the money market, and to the fact that merchants held large stocks. Reference was next made to ■ agricultural matters and Mr "White gave statistics showing the increase in the production of wheat, oats, and barley. The increases for Canterbury were:—"Wheat 43,382 acres, -hats 11,240 acres, barley 5440 acres. The present system employed by the Government, on which to base yields, was open to objection as it was largely based oil speculation. Threshing mill owners should be compelled to furnish returns giving the quantity of grain threshed. The price of wheat was next touched upon, and the President went on from this, to speak of matters -affecting pastoralists. The drop in the price of wool was touched upon; reference "was made to the now brighter prospects, and some informative figures were supplied showing the export of frozen meat from the three principal ports during ■ the past three years. It was much to be regretted that mutton and lamb were selling at such low rates in London just now as it meant a considerable loss to New Zealand. The rates at present ruling in London were Id per lb, below those ruling in London in -Uay of last year. Tlie president gave figures showing the increased . areas devoted to cultivation and other statistical matters. Referring to the money marKet-, lie said tiiat matters liad not improved during tne p;isc year; m tact, tue position re-ierix-a lu iu tue last annual meeting was intensified. uanks and financial institutions »vre not prepared to go on indefinitely lending out money, aud iu many cases auuounts were caileti up. Aiuuev tor investment on land was vc-.y aifUcult to uuuun, and tnen omy at increased r?ites oi interest, un tne wliole matters were beginning to loon ui .filter, tne stringency wao casing, ana the proceeds or tlie bountiful lnusiiomu ituu to ease tue strain m this part tlie uomimon. 11ns sti.ngency or the money market should te.n_-n a k biou i.f economy and careiulm.i> i i liuiiiLi's null tne trailing vumnu..iil.-' in fiv-iu'iai. Mr Wnue recue anomaly at present existing in the rates charged lor the ra.i.igo of frozen meat- bet«veen Uamaru ana JL'ort maimers. It this were removed Tiinuni should be the port ot sliijjment Jul* meat was .no douoir tliat tlie two proposed branch railways in the district ould oj. .i i'. ■ > ia targe ;ue:t ot ~ iirst-class wheat growing land, which was at present, principally owing to the heavy cost of haulage to the nearest railway station, devoted to grazing purposes. These claims should receive favourable consideration. JLe expressed approval of the proposed federation of the Chambers of Commerce, as a step in the right direction, as a strong New Zealand Association would have bettor aud fuller opportunities of carrying out reforms and improvements, and also. ! have more weight to enforce them, i than could be obtained by the present j system of separate Chambers scattered | through the Dominion. He referred to the success which had attended the holding of displays of goods manufactured in the Dominion, as had been done in the larger centres, -as they assisted in making the public better acquainted with the class of goods made in New Zealand, and thus stimulated production. It was to be hoped that Timaru would not bo behind in this matter, as a very good display could be made here. In conclusion, the president referred to the sympathetic and kindly relations which pxisted between the Chamber and the various local bodies iu the district, who were always willing to assist them ;n any possible way. Mr White also recorded his best thanks to Mr C. S. Fraser for the assistance he had rendered liini during his term of office. Thanks were also due to the secretary of the Harbour Board and the Collector of Customs, for figures and information willingly supplied. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: —President. Mr W. Priest (Mr White declining to stand again): vice-president, Mr H. Eaton: auditor. Mr J. Granger: committee. Messrs J. I'. Newman. A\ . Basoand. I). C. Turnbull. J. L. Gillies, G. S. Cray, J. Lillico, R. If. Bowie. M. White, and K. G. 'liirner. It was decided to vote il'l 2s to Mr Granger for his services as auditor. GENERA 1,. Mr Tnriiliiii! said tlpit. the past week had been an unusually busy one at the port, and the stal ion master and his j staff had worked night and day to inee| j the requirements ot >.hip|ter--. 'I he : work had to li<* carried on under great j difficulty-owing to tin- lamentable lack of engine power, shunters and drivers, and tli n stntioMiiKist'T credit For what /lie had done. Mr Turnbull moved —" I hat the thanks of I this Chamber be tendered to the stationmaster anil 11is stall For the very able way in which they dealt with the congestion of shipping in the port last week, and for the assistance given to shippers, considering the "small ouantity of rolling stock at their disoosal." Mr Turner, in seconding the motion, endorsed what Mr Turnbull had said, and added some eomplimentarv relerences to the harbourmaster (Captain Clarkson'i. and to his teinooraiv sue-ei-i«or (C';i of :i i ii Tait>. who lately had

boon working night and day bringing in and taking out vessels. Messrs Young, Gillies, and "White spoke in terms of the highest praise concerning the way the stationmastcr and ]iis staff had met the requirements of shippers during the abnormal rush of shipping, and all agreed that those officials liad earned the host thanks jf the community. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr Kirk, spoke in support of the holding of a local industries week in Timaru. and said he hoped the new committee would take this matter up. Mr Kirk also expressed the hope that the Chamber would not be able to get a reduction in the duty on imported cement; he would rather see an extra duty put on, so as to give greater encouragement to those who made cement in the Dominion. Mr Priest endorsed Mr Kirk's suggestion for a local industries week, and oSher members also spoke in favour, of it. "VYiih a view to popularising the Chamber. Mr Kirk suggested that nn annual dinner should be held, and the idea was considered a good ono, it being said that; other Chambers of Commerce held dinners. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the retiring president, Mr "A'liite being complimented on the tactful and very effective way jn which lie had worked for the Chamber and guided th" deliberations of members. The services of the secretary, Mr C. S. Fraser, were highly snoken of. and he was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks, which lie acknowledged in a fitting way. A vote of thanks was passed to "the New Zealand Loan Company for the use of a room in which to hold the committee meetings last year, and the meeting closed.