American Duties on Wool.

On the invitation of the Committee of the Auckland Chamber, the Committee joined with other Chambers in the Colony in a memorial to the President of the United States, urging that the interests of both countries would be best advanced by a removal of existing obstacles to free commercial intercourse, and by substituting an ad valorem, duty on wools the produce of New Zealand and Australia at a rate which would admit those of New Zealand without injury to the lower grades of American growth. The Committee would call attention to the table of imports and exports, by which it will be seen that whilst Otago imports American manufactures to the extent of £93,430, America on the other hand takes nothing whatever in return from Otago. And for the whole of New Zealand the figures are as follows for 1879: Imports, £438,399; Exports, £59,679

In conclusion, your Committee would point out that several subjects suggested by the previous Committee remain over for their successors. Amongst these may be mentioned a Weekly Market Day, the formation of an Exchange, the experiment of a Change Hour—all of which your Committee believe will greatly facilitate increased intercourse between those engaged in the commerce of this Port and the agricultural, pastoral and other interests of Otago.

The accounts of the Chamber for the past year have been duly audited and are appended