CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2479, 19 April 1909, Page 7

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE CONFERENCE.

PACIFIC ISLAND TRADE

It was found at the Chamber of Commerce on Thursday afternoon that Mr. Johnson had voted against the railway resolution considered in the morning. The Chairman then gave his easting vote against the proposition, and declared it lost. It was resolved that the Government should complete the Dominion Trunk railway lines, including the North) Auckland line, as soon as possible. The Conference passed the following resolutions; That the attention of the Government bo called to the necessity of fostering trade with the Pacific Islands, and arranging with the ship- , ping companies for lower rates of freight, especially with regard to that portion of the Pacific which has lower freights from Australia; that an arbitration clause providing for arbitration in the Dominion be inserted in all contracts between British and foreign -exporters and New Zealand importers, and that the Britih Trade Commissioner be) asked to act as referee in all •cases, and that as a preliminary step a, committee be. appointed to draw up the proposed arbitration clause, and -submit the same for the approval of each chamber; that the attention or the Government be called to the need of a more system ill thfi* . partment dealing with the statistics of imports and exports, so that returns may be issued more frequently and more promptly than at percent, and, further, to ensure accuracy m the official reports, that legislation, if necessary, be passed to compel the delivery at the Customs of complete export entries for the cargo within twenty-four hours of the departure of each fortnightly steamer for the United kingdom" an official summary to be published of all exports from the Dominion tor the preceding fortnight; that the Government bo asked to bring in legislation to provide for the registration of firms on lines similar to the New_ South Wales Act of 1902; that the Minister - of Customs be asked to investigate the method of assessing duty on cigars imported from Australia, with a view to facing the locally-made goods on a satisfactory basis. Tlic Wellington Couneil was requested to take whatevci steps were necessary to give effect to the P resolutions of the C^ llf f cre T C % generally to act on behalf of the Chambers of Commerce of tlic Dominion, pending the formation of the Proposed Association of the New Zealand Chambers. It was decided to request the Wcllim-ton Council to arrange for the editing?, printing, and distribution o the proceedings of the Conference, to allocate the cost of same with any either expenses incurred. It w~s oe ekled that the next Conference lie held at Auckland in twelve months tune.