Chamber of Commerce.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7177, 30 May 1891, Page 4

Chamber of Commerce.

A quarterly general meeting of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon ; present — MrW. Eeece (Chairman), and Messrs E. W. Humphrey. 1 !.. J. Cameron, F. S. Malcolm, W. D. Meares, W. B. Perceval, A. Kaye, Baddeley, P. Cunningham, W. H. Hargreaves, J. M. Heywood, G. G. Stead, Bullock and Hon. ; E. W. Parker. j president's report. Tho President read hi 3 report, which was published yesterday. CABLE RATES. Mr Cunningham asked whether the President had received any information as to any contemplated alteration in the cable rates. At present most of those , who had occasion to use the cable sent j their messages to Sydney, where they were j transmitted to their destination. This J method was cheaper than sending direct 1 from New Zealand, but the risk of mistake was increased. The Chairman said that the Committee had not yet had the subject under consideration. Reuter's agency had stated that it would be prepared to accept messages at the rate of 7b 6d. The Committee would, now that the matter had been brought up, take it into consideration. Some discussion took place, in the course of which Mr Kaye pointed out that the present Postmaster-General waa desirous of receiving suggestions concerning the working of his department, and if the Chamber wished any alteration ifc should approach the Minister on the subject. Mr Perceval said that, ao he had been referred to in the course of the discussion, he might state that the Government had had the matter under consideration, and was very anxious to effect a reduction if possible. In view, however, of the great reductions that had been made in the rates of postage, he did not think that any alteration in the cable rates could be expected just yet. commercial treaties. Mr Perceval referred to the matter of the commercial treaties between Great Britain and certain foreign countries. He pointed out how undesirable it was that the " most favoured nation" clause in the treaties between Great Britain and other Powers should have application to the Colonies, as it prevented the Colonies making special concessions to the Mother Country or to each other. The matter waß one which the Chamber might well take into its consideration. Mr Booth spoke of what had already been done in the matter, and moved that the subject be referred to the Committee. The motion was agreed to, and the meeting terminated.