CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE CONFERENCE

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12746, 17 April 1909, Page 5

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE CONFERENCE

Delegates wait on the Premier

(Per United Press Association). WELLINGTON, April 16

Delegates from the Chambers of Commerce concluded their business this afternoon, and then wait<td on the Prim« Minister.

Mr W. Dtthie, 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 Bums of money outside New Zealand. Drastic changes could not be brought about without the people who had lent enormous budib of money being considered, so they would know what security there tas for their loans. Regarding the mail service, wbat was needed was a good mail and passenger service to the Old Country by the quickest route. (Voices: "All Red. '7 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, hut 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, waa 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 one of the finest All Red services to England. Sir Joseph Ward promi3ed to have the question of Sinking Fund Commissioners investigated by the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament.

Sir Joseph Ward believed in cable rates being cheapened. If other contributors to the Pacific service supported the line as New Zealand had done, a reduction would have been forthcoming in a short time. He hoped the Imperial 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 wae not indisposed to meet them, there seemed to be grave misapprehension on the part of those advocatin gthis change. Hi w was it all the great investment companies which can:3 to New Zealand did so when a mortgage tax was in operation at a rate of 33 1-3 per cent, higher than -the present one, and carried on without a murmur or complaint? Several, companies went out of the country later, but it waa not the mortgage tax that caused this. It wan 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 providing taxation to meet the country's requirements. The graduated tax and extra tax imposed were to prevent the growth of large estates. He w»s 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 reinpval. Replying to a request for compulsory military training, Sir Joseph Ward said the general term "compulsion" implied that every man in the country would hare 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 the wishes ot those who desired some such scheme ac had been submitted.