The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 84
Dunedin Chamber of Commerce. — Report of the Committee of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce
Dunedin Chamber of Commerce.
Report of the Committee of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce
The retiring Committee have the pleasure of submitting the following Report of its proceedings during the past year.
Several matters only partially dealt with by the Committee of the previous year have received careful consideration, and in some instances with beneficial results. Three General Meetings of the Chamber, and twenty-two of the Committee have been held during the year.
Steamers' Bills of Lading.—One of the first subjects brought up for discussion was the consideration of the objectionable clauses in the Bills of Lading issued by the Steamship Companies trading to these Colonies.
It was Resolved that Messrs R. Glendenning, G. L. Denniston, and A. Maxwell be a Committee to point out the objections to the Bill of Lading required by the Direct Steamers, with a view to their amendment; and that Mr John Ross be asked to represent the Chamber at the Meetings of the British and Foreign Chambers of Commerce with the London Chamber. The subject is still under consideration of the London Conference, who fully realise the importance of the subject.
Indian and Colonial Exhibition.—In October last it was decided to appoint a Committee to collect and classify the proposed Exhibits for the Indian and Colonial Exhibition, and to meet and confer with Dr Von Haast on the subject; at the same time Mr Ross was asked to represent the Chamber at the opening of and other Ceremonies connected with the Exhibition.
(1.) | "That the Secretary be instructed to address the Commissioner of Customs, pointing out that the present Export Returns are misleading and inaccurate, owing to shipments being credited to port of departure not shipments, and requesting that any steps that are possible may be taken to correct this evil." |
(2.) | "That in the opinion of this Chamber the time has arrived for the production of a New Zealand Year Book upon the lines of that of Victoria, compiled by the Registrar General, Melbourne; and further, that the statistics of the Colony should be published and circulated at as early a date as possible." |
Trade with Rio Janeiro.—The Committee of 1885 addressed a series of questions to H.M. Consul-General, Rio Janeiro, relating to Customs Duties, Harbor Regulations, and other information treating of the Trade and Commerce of Brazil, and the opening to which the establishment of a Direct Line of Steamers should lead, for commercial intercourse between that country and New Zealand. A letter, dated the 3rd November, was received from the Consul-General with Annual Reports of the Brazilian Government, Consular Reports, Tariff, Brokers' Charges, Exchange, and other information of interest, a digest of which was printed and circulated for general information through the various Chambers of the Colony. As yet but very trifling interchange of products between the two countries has resulted.
South Sea Island Mail Service.—In answer to a communication from the Hon. the Postmaster General, in which the opinion of the Committee was sought upon a change proposed by the Contractors for the South Sea Island Mail Service, by which Mails and Cargo should be transhipped from the steamers of the U.S.S. Company to and from the contractors at Auckland. The Committee after due consideration did not object to the proposed alteration subject to Freight and Passage Money being the same as at present charged.
Harbor Diies.—The new scale of Import Dues proposed by the Harbor Board, by which the Import Rate would be increased from 2s to 3s per ton, and coastwise dues abolished—being in the opinion of the Committee an extreme rate—the Committee sought and obtained a conference with the Board for consideration of the proposed increase of rates. Ultimately a reduction of six pence per ton from the proposed rate was agreed to, and the present rate of 2s 6d per ton finally arranged.
(1) | That the Bond Warrants be examined and compared with the warehouse-books kept at Custom-house. |
(2) | That there be printed on the face of the warrants a certificate to the effect that they have been examined and compared with the warehouse-books at the Custom-house, and are in accordance with the entries therein relating to the goods mentioned in the warrant, such certificate to be signed by the landing surveyor or impressed with the stamp of H.M. Customs. |
(3) | That the warrants be attached to the entries when the goods are being cleared, and retained and cancelled by the Customs authorities. |
R.M. Court.—A letter from Mr W. Henderson was received, pointing out a very serious defect in the R.M. Court Act, which did not authorise the attorney or agent of a plaintiff to make the affidavit of jurisdiction required where it was proposed to summon a defendant who resided outside the jurisdiction of the Court. The Parliament being then in session, it was resolved to forward the letter to Mr Wm. Downie Stewart, M.H.R., who brought the matter before the Minister of Justice, but, owing apparently to the pressure of other work, the Local Courts Bill was not proceeded with, so that nothing can be done till next session.
Cable Charges.—Several communications during the present year have passed between the Committee and other Chambers, and also with Melbourne, urging co-operation in obtaining a reduction in the existing rates from the Cable Company on messages passing over the New Zealand Cable. The subject was brought up in the General Assembly by the Colonial Treasurer, without eliciting any satisfactory out-come from the discussion. The Committee are of opinion that it is not desirable to lay a new Cable as has been proposed by the Treasurer, and that Government should be urged to co-operate with the Australasian Colonies in pressing for a reduction of the present rates for ordinary messages to 6d and Press messages to 3d per word; and that a minimum of five words should be established. Such a reduction it is confidently expected would greatly facilitate the interchange of business between New Zealand and the Australasian Colonies without diminishing the existing income of the Cable Company.
Railway Extension.—This subject was dealt with at a quarterly meeting held in January, and the following resolution passed:—"That in the opinion of this Chamber it would in the present circumstances, be inexpedient to initiate or undertake any New Railway, but that the lines now in progress should be completed."
Rates of Freight.—The following resolution was carried at a general meeting of the Chamber:—"That in the opinion of this Chamber the ruling rates of freight from London to this port are higher than is necessary, comparing them with rates ruling to the chief Australian ports; and that it be an especial instruction to the Committee to deal exhaustively with this question, and report to the next meeting of the Chamber."
In considering this report the Committee have found themselves confronted with many difficulties which are apparent to every member. Nothing is so difficult as to disturb and successfully encounter a strong monopoly, and it can only be done by concerted and vigorous action both here and in London. The Committee have made representations in the matter to Mr John Ross in London, who has acted for this Chamber on so many occasions, and no reply has had time to reach us yet; meantime much could be done by united and persistent representations to English correspondents, instructing them to give business whenever possible to outside ships and shipping firms while freights continue so high.
Bankruptcy Act.—Nothing has occurred during the past year to bring the present Bankruptcy Act prominently under the notice of the Committee, and no efforts have, therefore, been made to correct its acknowledged imperfections. Each year's experience, however, discloses defects that require amendment, and suggest possible improvements which should receive the careful consideration of the Legislature.
The Annual Statistics referring to the trade of the Colony—compiled chiefly from reports of the Registrar-General, the Department of Trade and Customs, and other official sources—will be found in the appendix to this report.
In conclusion the Committee would direct the attention of the Chamber to its very unsatisfactory financial position, and the necessity for immediate action being taken to obtain a more general support to the institution. The Sub-Committee's report on this subject will be found attached.
Jas. T. Mackerras
, Chairman Dunedin,October 1st, 1886.