CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE CONFERENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12199, 17 April 1909, Page 3

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE CONFERENCE.

THE PREMIER AND THE CONFERENCE'S RESOLUTIONS. THE COMPULSORY TRAINING QUESTION. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, April 15. Delegates from the Chambers of Commerce concluded their business this afternoon, and then waited on the Prime Minister. Mr W. Duthie, President of the Conference, read the more important resolutions of the Conference. In replying, Sir Joseph Ward said that some alteration in the Bankruptcy Act was essential. The whole matter was now being investigated by the Government with a view of submitting proposals if possible, to the coming session of Parliament. In regard to the Harbour Board representation, the Premier thought there should still be some nominated members. Enormous responsibilities rested on these Boards, and they must remember there was scarcely one Board that had not obtained large sums of money outside New Zealand. Drastic changes could not be brought about without the people who had lent enormous sums of money being considered, so they would know what security there was for their'loans. Regarding the mail service, what was needed was a good mail and passenger service to the Old Country by the quickest route. (Voices: "All Red.") Sir Joseph Ward said personally he had tried for the All Red route for a long time. An Auckland man had said that possibly the 'Frisco service could be secured if New Zealand would move in the matter, but he believed it was not possible to. get the steamers to run for a bonus anything near the last one. New Zealand had repeatedly offered to' pay a subsidy for the Vancouver line touching at New Zealand. The "Federal Government, however, was giving a considerable subsidy but Brisbane was included in the ports of call. There was no doubt that Britain, Canada, Australia, and New. Zealand, combined could get ono of thp finest All Rer services to England. ' Sir Joseph Ward promised to have the question of Sinking Funds Commissioners investigated by the Public Acsoimts Committee of Parliament. .Sir Joseph Ward believed in cable rates being cheapened. , If other contributors to the Pacific service supported the line as N.Z. had done, a reduction would have been forthcoming in a short time. He hoped the Imperial Press Conference would take- up the subject. In reference to the resolution asking that the Mortgage Tax be abolished, and in lieu thereof income derived from investment of capital be made subject to income tax, Sir Joseph Ward said such alteration would involve more taxation. If they understood that he was ! not indisposed to meet them, there J seemed to be grave misapprehension on . the part of those advocating this change. How was it all the great investing companies which came to New Zealand did so when a mortgage tax was in operation at a rate of 33 l-3p.c. higher than tho present one, and carried on without a murmur or complaint? Several companies went out of the country later, but it was not the mortgage tax that caused this. It was the Advances to Settlers' Department, which lent money at a lower rate. The graduated land tax was a matter 'of great importance, but they must remember there were difficulties in prov- | idina; taxation to meet the country's re- : quirements. The graduated tax and j extra tax imposed were to prevent the 1 growth of large estates. He was prepared to look into the application of the tax to what he called ordinary business premises, and if an injustice was being done it should be capable of removal. Replying to a request for Compulsory military training, Sir Joseph Ward said the general term "compulsion" implied that every man in the country would have to submit to a period of drill. No such scheme was practicable unless a very great number of exemptions were provided for, and he did not think it '' , would be acceptable to the country. During next session, however, proposals would be submitted making radical alterations in the present system, and he believed they would meet wishes of those , who desired some such, scheme as had ' been submitted. [

! THE VALUE OF PATENTS. * 1 The U.S. Commissioner of Patents stated if a patent is worth anything it can, if properly managed, easily be sold for from £2000 to £10,000. If you have^ invented any nm»* article that supplies" a public need write HENRY HUGHES, Patent Agent, Queen's Chambers, Wellington. Established 1882. " Advice to, Inventors " posted free. Wanganui representative, Mr C. J. "Wrny.