CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16471, 6 July 1921, Page 8

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Council of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce was held on Monday, Mr W. M. Tyers, president, in the chair. The president reported that a deputation had waited on the Minister of Iluihvayß on his recent visit to Christchurch, when the Hiley scheme of railway improvement was urged, as well as Customs examination of overseas passengers’ luggage at Christchurch, shortage of trucks and combined railway and steamer goods delivery between North and South Islands. The report of the deputation to the superintendent of telegraphs was read. With reference to mistakes in code messages, illegible telegrams and cables, new telegraph forms and notices of steamers in wireless communication, the superintendent’s reply was received, in which he stated that at the time of the issue of the telegraph forms referred to the Department was unable to obtain a better quality of paper. It was intended to improve the quality of the paper and revert to the full size telegram as soon as supplies allow. Steps are being taken to see that a better copy of telegrams is supplied. With regard to the posting of the notice of the wireless report of vessels, the copy would be placed on the notice board outside the office. The Department regretted that it was unable to adoptj at present, the use of fountain pens in writing telegrams, and with regard to typewritten telegrams not all telegraph officers were typists. A complaint having been received as to the difficulty of obtaining information as to when the mail from the North Island ex Mararoa would be sorted, the chief postmaster had been interviewed and he could not agree to the answering of inquiries by telephone from the mail-room, but suggested that commercial principals could send a messenger to the inquiry office at the post office, when any information as to the mail being sorted would be given. The chief telegraph engineer replied to the request of the Chamber that a wireless installation should be provided in the vicinity of Christchurch so that it could he used in the event of telegraph communication between Canterbury and Wellington being interrupted. He pointed out that the wireless stations at Wellington and Awarua already provided for emergency wireless communication, and there was also an emergency wireless station at Dunedin. It was, therefore, considered that there was no need .to increase the number of wireless stations.

The report of the Produce Sectional Committee was adopted, stating that the grain samples had been fixed for the season, and they had been sent to the London Corn Trade Association. The Dunedin Chamber wrote forwarding a resolution adopted at a meeting of users of automatic stamping machines, asking that joint action should be taken. A sub-committee with power to act was appointed to interview the chief postmaster on the subject.

Professor it. J. Scott wrote accepting the appointment of representative of the Chamber on the Electrical Committee set up by the Progress League. The Christchurch booksellers and stationers wrote protesting against the Government supply of school books and stationery. A resolution was adopted in support of the protest. The Department of Industries and Commerce forwarded the report of the Imperial Shipping Committee on bills of lading, which was referred to the Importers and Exporters’ Sectional Committee.

The 'same Department forwarded a copy of an Order-in-Council issued by the British Board of Trade referring to the participation of former enemy aliens in “key industries” of Great Britain.

A paragraph on trade with Hawaii was received from the same Department, and referred to tho Exporters* Sectional Committee.

A letter was received from the same Department stffting that it was proposed to introduce into Parliament during the next session an amendment of the Patents, Designs and Trade Marks Act, and*stating that anj T suggestions by the Chamber would be considered. The letter was referred to the Manufacturers* Sectional Committee.

Acknowledgments of letters on the subject of through transit of goods between the North and South Islands were received from several Chambers of Commerce. The secretary of the Java Ships Management Committee wrote that it had applied to the Commonwealth Government asking it to communicate with the German Australian Steamship Company. Hamburg to endeavour to obtain a release of the guarantee given by the Bank of New South Wales on behalf of the committee. The Masterton Chamber forwarded a resolution on the subject of the Government sugar contract. It was decided to reply that it was understood that the Government was not putting any obstacle in the way of imrjorting sugar. ______