REMITS DISCUSSED.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20452, 2 November 1934, Page 8

REMITS DISCUSSED.

$ Associated Chambers of Commerce. CONFERENCE CONTINUED. The Associated Chambers of Commerce conference was continued this morning when remits were discussed and an address was given by the lion W. Downie Stewart. The president, Mr A. M. Seaman (Auckland) was in the chair. A cable message was received from the president of the Associated Cham bers of Commerce of Australia conveying greetings to the conference. On the motion of Mr C. B. Barrowclough (Dunedin) the following remit was adopted:—“ That it be a recommendation to the executive of the Associated Chambers of Commerce to go fully into the possibility of establishing a scheme of unemployment insurance in New Zealand to replace the present system under which relief is limited to those who are destitute.” Land Tax. On behalf of the Canterbury Chamber Mr L. G. K. Steven moved: “That this conference, re-iterating previous decisions, urges that land tax be abolished and income tax substituted.” The remit, which was described by the president as one of the hardy perennials, was adopted with one dissentient. Mr A. F\ Wright (Canterbury) moved the adoption of the following remit: —“ That this conference is convinced that the restrictive provisions of the Board of Trade Act. Commercial Trusts and Cost of Living Acts operate to the detriment of business and the community generally, and therefore urges on the Government the immediate amendment of these Acts.” The remit was adopted. Crown Suits Act. A remit, proposed by Mr Wright on behalf of Canterbury and Auckland, “that this conference endorses the principle of suits by or against Government departments being in general placed on a similar footing to suits between subject and subject.” Mr Wright said that there was a very good prospect of the principle contained in the remit becoming law in the near future. The remit was adopted. On the motion of Mr Haskell Anderson (Napier), the question of compulsory earthquake insurance be referred to the executive for consideration and report. Rating Act. Dr E. P. Neale (Auckland) moved: “ That this conference urges that the existing legislation be amended to enable buildings other than dwellinghouses to secure, when unoccupied, the rate exemption now provided for unoccupied dwelling-houses under Section 69 of the Rating Act.” He stated that it was felt that the exclusion of commercial buildings from the privileges of the section was neither equitable nor was it the real intention of the legislature. Mr A. 11. Allen (Dunedin) said that the remit had the support of the municipal authorities. The remit was adopted.