CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17944, 1 May 1928, Page 13

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ANNUAL REPORT. Following is the annual report of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce to be presented at the annual meeting on Wednesday night. Membership.—At the beginning of the last financial year the membership stood at 120. During the year twenty-five new members were elected, five resigned or moved from the district, and three subscriptions have not been paid, leaving a total active membership at 31st March of 137. Meetings.—The Council has held regular monthly meetings, and the various Committees have been called together as occasion arose. Three general meetings were held during the year, and two of these took the form of lectures,on subjects of public commercial interest.

On October 25tli, Mr H. M. Chrystall, delivered a lecture in the Caroline Bay Hall, on "Port and Terminal Facilities.” Mr Chrystall’s address was illustrated by lantern slides showing modern methods of handling and storing cargo, and the development of port and rail - facilities. On February 29th, Professor B. E. Murphy, of Wellington, again visited Timaru at the Council’s invitation, and delivered a highly interesting address on “The Public Finances of New Zealand.” The audience was the largest which has attended any' general 'meeting convened by this Chamber,, and showed very clearly its appreciation of'the lucid manner in which the Professor dealt with his subject. During the year a delegation representing the British Mptor Trade visited Timaru, and your Council co-operated with other interested bodies in entertaining the visitors. At the general meeting held in August, ;the secretary presented a comprehensive report on; “wharfage, handling charges and railage rates.” The report once again stressed the anomalies in the railway tariff, which, while described as “local rates,” are in effect preferential rates in favour of the centres north and south of Timaru. A copy of, the report was submitted to the Railway Department by the Hon. F. J. Rolleston, and the ppeping paragraph of the Department’s memorandum in reply thereto was as follows:—-

"The contention of the South Canterbury, Chamber of Commerce that the differential' rates now in operation act in favour of other centres'to the detriment of Timaru, is an argument which has been used by local bodies in the Timaru district since the local rate from Christchurch to' Timaru was first instituted in 1891.” . . .

Although the Department ,has successfully resisted the efforts of the Chamber of Commerce and kindred bodies for thirty-seven years, it is not proposed that the matter should' be dropped. ' Your Council intends' to continue,its efforts,-and as a preliminary step to convene through its Transport Committee, a meeting of importers,-: exporters, carrying firms and all others interested, to examine the; whale question’ in detail. It is worthy: off note that'during" the y.ear two’-manufacturing firms in Timaru,. after persistent effort, and supported by this Chamber, succeeded in having, the rates tb 'Christchurch, on their reduced ito the,. eqqivalent of the rates. from Christchurch to Timaru. The, Council regrets that; it is unable'to. report progress ,ih-con-nection’with .the re-arrangement of the Timaru railway, yards. Thq president, dnd secretary waited on the Hon. F. •J. Rolleston recently, and asked-him to make further endeavours to speed up the commencement of the work. v

In addition to dealing with various matters affecting carriage by rail ami sea, the Council has given consideration to the important question of road transport, and particularly to the establishment of a Ministry of Transport, foreshadowed by the Minister of Railways in his last annual statement. The importance and value of the railways have never been lost Bight of, nor the'right of the Department to meet opposition .and hold its business disputed; but the policy of your Council (a policy which it believes has the approval of the general body of members), has been, and is, to resist the arbitary interference by any Government Department with the rights of the individual. ’ The question of road versus rail is rapidly becoming one of the most vital problems, not only in New Zealand, but practically throughout the world, and the attempts to solve that problem will call for careful examination, especially in countries such as New Zealand, where the railways are owned and run'by the Government.

Mr C. M; Bowden, president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, in an article, contributed to the Dece.mber issue of the N.Z. Railways Magazine, and entitled “Search for a Transport Policy,” said, inter alia: “In recognising the widespread interests of the Department, may I be permitted just a word of warning. The tendency toward nationalisation is causing—has caused—serious unrest in commercial circles. There is a growing feeling that the excursions and incursions into the business field, made by an enterprising government, are too many and varied, and are (in many cases), economically unsound and commercially unjust.” “I put forward, earnestly, the suggestion that a Royal Commission on. Transport be appointed to deal fully with this matter. lam aware that a Ministry of Transport is foreshadowed, and that this is more or less a committee of inquiry by responsible heads in departments such as the railways, marine and Public Works. Should it not go farther in its scope and representation? Surely the Harbour Boards, Highways Board, Municipal Association are also vitally interested. So, too, ape the shipping companies, the carriers, and, above all, the great, inarticulate, longsuffering general public, and the commercial interests who serve themd’ In the last annual report, reference was made to the embargo placed by the C'ommonweajth Government on New Zealand potatoes. In June last the question of the importation of Tasmanian potatoes into New Zealand was raised, and your Council Joined with other bodies in protesting to the Government against importation while there were ample supplies available in the Dominion. In regard to wheat, the action of the Government in introducing legislation which provided for a sliding scale of import duties on wheat and flour had the effect, in some measure at least, of stabilising the wheat growing industry this season. The Auckland Chamber suggested certain amendments to the regulations, but your Council, together with other South Island Chambers of Commerce, and Farmers’ Union Executives, urged the Government to give the scheme a year’s trial, and the regulations were not altered.

The Accommodation Bureau originated in 1926, again functioned during the past summer season. Accommodation was provided' for approximately 200 people, while large numbers of visitors booked direct with their hosts of the previous year; in

itself a tribute to the work of the organiser, Mr W. S. Long. The advertising expenditure was again subscribed without reference to the funds of the Chamber. Contributions were received from the following, to whom the Council expresses its sincere appreciation:—Caroline Bay Association £2O, Timaru Borough Council £lO, Timaru Harbour Bpard £10; a total of £4O. During the last month of the financial year under review, considerable discussion has ensued in the Press with reference to the apparent preference given to the North Island, both in regard to publicity literature and also to tourist itineraries. The suggestion having been made that concerted action was desirable, your Council proposed to invite Chambers of Commerce and Progress Leagues throughout the South Island, to meet in Timaru. It was found, however, that a conference of South Island Progress Leagues had been already arranged and this will be held at Westport early in May. The Electricity Committee of the Chamber has submitted full reports of its activities, and these reports have been published. It is unnecessary, therefore, to cover the ground again, but your Council is confident that the announcement as to the selection of the site for the erection of the headworks on the Waitaki River will be made at an early date. The conferences convened, by the Chamber and held at Timaru involved some expense, and the three Power Boards interested very kindly donated the following spins, which are now gratefully acknowledged: South Canterbury Electric Power Board £10; Waitaki Electric Power Board £lO, Ashburton Electric Power Board £10; a total of £3O. The ! excess of income over expenditure, £ls/10/6, is less than last year, owing to heavier calls on the funds of the Chamber, but the accumulated fund now stands at £67/5/3. The Council desires to express the thanks of the Chamber to the Hon. F. J. Rolleston, to the Canterbury Farmers’ Co-operative Association for the use of the Board Room. tQ the Press, and to the Hon. Auditor, Mr A. C. Martin.