Chamber of Commerce

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5785, 25 November 1886, Page 3

Chamber of Commerce

QUARTERLY MEETING.

THIS DAY.

The quarterly meeting of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce was held at 3 p.m. to-day ; present — Messrs J. Gould (President), M. Gardner, G. G. Stead, P. Cunningham, F. Banks, Williams, Kinsey, Steeds, Graham, G. Hnrt, Kaye, Fletcher, Slater, Pickering, Carter, R. C. Bishop, J. Cooke, W. H. Hargreaves, W. Chrystali, Bullock, Shank?.

NEW MEMBERS,

Messrs H. W. Peryman and J. Gammack were elected members of the Chamber.

president's address.

The Pre&idtnt delivered the following address : —

" Gentlemen, — With your permission I will briefly review the various matters which have received attention at the hands of your Committee since tho last general meeting of members.

"On receiving notice from the various Banks trading in Canterbury of their intention to charge an exchange on cheques within the Province, your Committee caused representations to be made pointing out the inconvenience and annoyance which such charges would cause. The Associated Banks, however, asserted fiat similar charges were made in all oilier Provinces in New Zealand, and insisted on giving the innovation a trial in Canterbury. Tour Committee is still at work on the question, with the view of getting some modification of the present charges if the Banks decline to do away with the system as a whole.

" A deputation from the Corn Exchange waited on your Committee with the view of enlisting their assistance in bringing about the adoption of a corn eack of smaller size than the one now in use in Canterbury. After considerable discussion, it was decided to endeavour to arrange for the adoption of a sack which would hold 2001 b of wheat instead of 2401 b, as at present, and it was further decided that if the arrangements could be made to get the new size adopted in Canterbury, steps should betaken to get the same size üßed throughout New Zealand. It was pointed out that the smaller size would be much more convenient for handling, both for the farmer, the Btoreinan, and the stevedore, and that as it would have less weight to hold than the size now in use, there would be less chance of the sack bursting, and the grain being lost in consequence. " Your Committee will use every effort to arrange with the importers to get the new size adopted throughout New Zealand, feeling sure that it would be found a convenience to all interested in the grain trade.

" The attention of your Committee has been drawn to the fact that although there is a market at Fiji for many articles which we produce, yet very little i 3 sent there. The butter, cheese, hams, and bacon all come from Europe, while the potatoes, beer, and horsefeed are principally drawn from Sydney. I need hardly point out that all these items are especially our local products, and that they should be supplied by us cheaper than from the points indicated. The main obstacle to owr opening up tlie trade ie that the time-table of the Arawata ia so arranged as tb preclude produce ordered by her up trip being sent by her on her return, although she waits in Auckland amply long enough if her time table were arranged so a3 to fit in with that of the coastal steamfrs. As a considerable subsidy is paid to the Arawata for running between Auckland and Fiji, your Committee have asked that the Government would try and arrange a trilling alteration in the time-table, which would enable merchants here to receive their orders in time to Bhip the goods by return ship. As at present arranged, goods ordered from Sydney arrive about a month earlier than those ordered from the South Island of New Zealand. So it is not to be wondered at that the Fiji merchants prefer to buy our own produce second-hand from the Sydney meri chant rather than wait such a long time for them to come from our market. The requisite alteration in the time table is merely nominal, and would only interfere with the present* arrangements by rendering the Arawata's mail service slightly slower to Sydney, and delaying the delivery of the San Francisco mail at Fiji by a day or two. I am in hopes that the Government will make the alteration, and that our produce will in future take its proper position in the Fiji markets. " A proposal to hold a Wool and Grain Show has been brought before your Committee, also a request that the Chamber would subscribe a considerable sum in aid of the project. While, however, sympathising with the proposal, your Committee, in the present state of your finances, did not see its way to contribute the sum asked for, but will be glad to give such assistance in other directions as it can.

. "From time to time during the past three months the question of the cable rates between this Colony and Australia has received the careful consideration of your Committee, and the Government have been urged to make such arrangements with the^ Cable Company as would prevent trade being hampered even temporarily by the imposition of a prohibitive tariff. In view of the large trade in dairy and farm produce between this Province and Australia, it was considered that we were especially interested m keeping the cable rates at a reasonable point, and I am pleased to see that a temporary peace has j been made between the Government and the Cable Company. " In view of the approaching grain season, commercial men will anxiously watch the course of events, and it is to be hoped that our Government will make such arrangements as will ensure at least a continuation of present rates, even if they are unable to secure a substantial reduction on them. " By the mail lately to hand the account sales of wool sold during the September series- in London have been received, and the Colony is to be congratulated that the returns are such as to very fully bear out the telegraphic adviceß of the rise in values. The surpluses over and above shippers' expectations range from £4 to £8 per bale, which, if the present prices are maintained for a year, will add a very

| large sum to the income of the Colony, and | tend largely ta improve trade. Already- 1 j hear of unexpected orders being placed in : the town, and I have no doubt but it will | materially assist both trade and our labour ; fund during the coming year. J "It has been suggested to your Com- | mittee that it would be advantageous to ■ the mercantile community, and extend the usefulness of this Chamber, if arrangements j could be made to hold an exchange • meeting, and with the view of testing the { feeling of members on the subject I would !move — ' That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable tbat change meetings should be held daily at 12 o'clock, i in the Chamber of Commerce.*