CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Timaru Herald, Volume CI, Issue 15506, 17 November 1914, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

' ' i COMMITTEE MEETING. ; The committee of the. Chamber of Commerce met ye6tei - dnv in the office of the secretary (Mr C. S. Fraser). Present—Messrs K. G. Turner in the chair, F. Giiungham, C. Fleming, F. J. Ilolleoton, G. S. Cray, and W. 11. Pearson. Several apologies for absence vvero received. Tho Hastings Chamber asked the local body to send copies of a cirgttlar from the British Imperial Council of Commerce to tho principal merchants and importers in the district. The circular asked all importers to give preference to British made goods.—lt was decided to circularise all direct importers on the lines suggested. - The Department of Agriculture forwarded an extract from the report of H.M. Charge d'Affairs at Panama, dealing with the prospects for trade . with Central and South America,, which the opening of the Panama Canal had made possible. The Supply Department of the C;uiai! Admin.station, it was stated, would have a. constant demand for meat and dairy products. The Department considered that if the contemplated steamship service was established competitive prices should enable New Zealand and Australian exporters to secure orders for meat and dairy products, and it was williua: to make annual contracts. The Chamber decided that if the Department of Agriculture opened any trade lines they would do what they could to support the project. An Ipswich firm of exporters asked for information regarding local produce or small lines of locally manufactured articles.—Supplied by secretary. The Taumaranui Chamber forwarded a resolution, which the Chamber was asked to support and petition the Premier upon, asking that the Government continue unabated the polioy of liberal advances under the State Guarantee Advances Act, in regard to settlers and workers.—lt was' decided that the Government appeared to be alive to the necessity of this request, and had acted accordingly. The Farmers' Union asked the Chamber to consider the question of having a representative of that body on tli© Committee.—lt was decided to request the Levels County Council to elect a representative who might also represent- the Farmers' Union. The London Cora Exchange wrote -approving of the .Chamber's standard weight of cereals as follows:—Tuscan pßlbs per bushel, A. grade Gartons 42j lbs., B. grade 40 lbs., C. grade 39-1- lbs. - Mr F. H. Smith wrote that 'he did not think the Daylight' Saving 'BO would operate favourably in the country, and certainly not to the advantage of producers. He could not see his way to support the Bill. The Prime Minister telegraphed on November 11 ask'ng for the carryover of wheat in the district, immediately, prior to. the last crop becoming ava'lab.e.—The secretary stated that after investigation he had repli&l that the estimated amount was 150,000 bushels. The secretary's 'action was endorsed. •