CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIII, 23 November 1923, Page 8

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

CONFERENCE AT AUCKLAND. PER PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT AUCKLAND, Nov. 21. About forty Dominion delegates atineding the Conference of New Zealand Associated Chambers of Commerce, were accorded a civic reception by the Mayor (Mr J. H. Gunson). In his presidential address in opening the business of the Conference, Mr H. \V. Hudson said, compared with two or three years ago, the prices for our wool and the bulk of our meat showed distinct improvement. Butter and cheese had shown considerable variation in price, and fur the present season appeared to be at a ia inly high level, the exporters in the dairy produce trade had, however, deemea it to utter a word of warning. T J hey expressed grave doubts whether these prices can be maintained during the next few years. The Dominion’s internal trade had been far irom buoyant during the past twelve months and importers would be well advised to observe caution. The conference resolved that the fr.tdom from taxation and rating, enjoyed by rhe Stare and municipal trading concerns should be withdrawn; that al! lands leased by local bodies should be subject to ordinary land tax; that income tax, approximately on the average paid by companies, should be paid by igc d bodies and {•overtiment trading and publicly owned utility enterprise:-.; that the Government tie urged to alter the incidence ol taxation in accordance with the commission's recommendations; that the Government be urged to circulate new railway tariff, that authority to hold step-wmeetings be withdrawn from watersidors' awards. ?. remit, moved by Ate Paterson (Canterbury), w.-> rjr-icd- -that whilst the reductions in taxation already made v. ere regarded with scalistaction, it was regretted that many grave anomalies still existed in ike- meth-; Is and incidence of Noe. Z-mlaitd taxation; and also urging on the wove ament the giu.'.t need exhiiiig for uirther econcmies c-f'administ rative expenditure and fir- /r- refm-m in taxation matters. ?dir.'d. tiiuriin (Wei Hugton) moved a i\ ' li/: dei-1-ring that the freedom fro i ‘taxiiiii.’i m-S iing enjoyed by ins!’tutio: s e< o : by the State and b ' • > ■: y.-?d in State competition i: . 'id e:<press:H ’- the <T' *• < H bus! msscs should be pl.- \rm ”.:i . .j • • oting. f ? ' >• • ' -- . 1

The Conference resolved that periodical visits of British statesmen to Overseas Dominions would result in far-reaching benefits to the Empire, and that the Government be urged to make representations accordingly to the Imperial authorities. The British Chambers of Commerce also are to be approached on this matter.

Some discussion following on an Auckland remit —that in face of the fact that the statutory minimum wage is based upon the assumed requirements of a married man with two children, or other dependents, and that the responsibilities of three-fourths of the wageearners were admittedly less than the ’ scale adopted,—it was decided to meet Parliament, or failing that, the Arbitration Court be urged to consider the possibility of relieving the community from the burden of such over-payment, and thereby leaving a margin wherewith to provide assistance for those with larger families. The remit was carried, with an amendment urging the Government to consider the possibility of meeting the position by a reduction of the income tax exemption to wage-earners without ' dependents. AUCKLAND, Nov. 22. i The Chambers of Commerce Conferi cnee carried remits as follows That . the Government inttoduce legislation that, gifts to hospitals, etc., be free of income tax to an amount not exceeding 15 per cent, of taxpayers’ income; : advocating the advertising; of the Dominion overseas: urging banks to pay ■ interest on current credit balances over £lOO and abolish the half yearly charge ; for keeping accounts and all internal ’exchange; urging daylight saving; urging revision of the restriction on members of local bodies having business relations therewith ; urging a progressive policy of immigration' from the United Kingdom: that during the Empire Exhibition special measures be taken to press on British capitalists the Do- i minion s great potentialities for investment of capital. ! The election of officers resulted ■ President, Mr A. F. Roberts, Wellington -. vice-president, .Mr Peter BanDunedin. Yon vc drawn your pay and just go gay In a May Day of reckless delight, There’s, little to say for “the .prefect day” If you don't have a perfect night. V. .ien winter-day fun fades out with tho sun, U: it ring headache and chill to endure, You’ll spread half dead on a comfort less bed, i Without Woods’ Great Peppermint * Cure. I