CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2534, 22 June 1909, Page 6

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

QUARTERLY MEETING.. The quarterly meeting of tho Gisborno Chamber of Commerce was held at the Borough Council Chambers last evening. Mr. J. Townley occupied the chair, and the members present were: Messrs J. B. Kolls, J. W. J. Preston, W. Pettie,' I. S. Simson, L. Muir, T. E. Toneycliffe, T. Cc-rsdn, J. R. Kirk, F. W. Riach, J. R. Redstone. E. Burton, W. Lissant Clayton, J. Sheridan, and others. Mr. J. R. FKrk introduced Mr. H. Cromwell Tewsley, of Wellington, who had come to the meeting as a visitor. Mr. Tewsley thanked the. Chamber for the welcome extended to him. ' The Chairman announced that seven new members had joined the Chamber since the last quarterly meeting. DISTRICT COURTS.

The Hawera Chamber of Commerce forwarded, the following resolution, carried at their meeting on May 16th —; “That this Chamber disapproves of the proposed abolition of ' District Courts, and considers that any change would be contrary to the best interests of this town and district, as depriving country districts of a convenient and speedy means of obtaining justice in cases not of sufficient importance for the. Supremo Court, and also as tending to remove the administration of bankruptcy proceedings from country districts. and so increasing the cost of Sa The Chairman said Gisborne had a District Court years ago, and the people were very glad it was abolished because Gisborno got half-yearly sittings of the Supreme Court instead. Mr. Kirk moved that the letter he received. He said that District Courts had been useful, but they been - abolished, .and the Supreme Court had taken, over the work. The old system-was very cumbersome j and he felt the Gisborne Chamber would not endorse the resolution. Mr. Kirk’s motion was carried. TRADE DISCOUNTS.

The sub-committee set up to report on a scale of discounts to he recognised by the Chamber reported as follows : “The committee appointed to draw up a proposed scale of discounts have considered the matter, and beg to recommend the following: “(1) Discount of 2J on all accounts paid on or before the 20th of the month following purchase of the goods. “(2) No discount to be allowed on any accounts paid later than the 20th. “(3) All accounts unpaid after three months to be charged interest at the rate of S per cent, per annum. - “(4) All accounts for duty or for goods sold for net cash to be paid Ist of the month following purchase. “(5) All purchases of live stock, whether at auction or privately, to be paid within seven days of delivery; after seven days interest to be charged at the rate of 8 per cent, per annum. “(6) Retail drapers: The-committee is unable to make a recommendation! -in regard to discounts, as the drapers wish first :to hold a meeting to consider the question. “(7) The committee consider that should the -foregoing scale or any amendment thereof bo adopted by the Chamber, the penalty for any infringement should be the expulsion of the offending member.” Mr. Tewsley said that a case arose in Auckland in which, when the terms of payment were known by a customer, the Court held that he must obey those terms, and the trader could sharge interest when the fact .that interest was chargeable under the rules of tho Warehousemen's Association was stated on the. account. Mr Kells (Common, Shelton and Co.) said it would he very awkward for a firm like the one he managed to allow separate rates of discount upon different articles. A system of discounts would induce prompt payments, and bring trade as close up to a cash basis as possible. ■ ' - Mr. Jowers said that in his trade he found that the ' discount rules wero frequently broken. ' Mr. lan -S. Simson said that, whilethe system, of discounts might work well among tradespeople, it would never do*- to. impose the condition of charging interest upon country-people. 1 Mr. Toneycliffe said it was a. great •mistake to think that drapers made big profits,- and could give, long credit and big -discounts. Mr. Preston suggested that the report might be sent -back to tho committee for further consideration. Mr. Kells -thought • the Chamber might discuss’ the- -recommendations so that any suggestions could be made. Mr. Simson thought that all the necessaries of life, such as groceries, bread, and meat, should be paid for in cash, and traders should be prepared to give long credit. on luxuries. Mr, Riach! suggested that the discounts recommended be confined to -the wholesale merchants for the; time being, -find discounts , in retail trade arranged at some, future dated. - Mr Burton thought that no discounts should be allowed, on accounts paid after the 20th of, each month. Many traders sold both wholesale and retail, and. it was hard to- draw the line. - Mr. Kells moved that the scale of discounts, <is recommended, be adopted by all merchants' 'except drapers. ‘Mr. Sheridan seconded, the motion. Mr. Jowers thought’the rule would not be carriecl~<3Ut without some guarantee, and that traders who were not members of the Chamber would ignore the resolution. r-

The motion, on--being..put, vvn.s carried without dissent. :,v4Mr. Burton -said that he thought the second portion of .the--resolution should be amended to- allow 2 per cent, discount if the-, account .was paid bcfoio the end of the .month. yV Mr • .Sheridan said that - a. large amount of-.money, was paid .in dirty by wine and spirit merchants .and his fern; could not observe .such a rule. MK-'-Burton-S- ‘suggestion; was adopt; Ct The '.portiop; of the £j#pprt dealing with thehdiafgifig of''inforest on overdue accduttts'“(clause -3) was then discussed..'. • • ) '..z. Mr. Simson- thought 8 per cent, .was too high a rate to charge. He thought) the- rate should be one that the people could and would': pay. j > A t Tlie' Committee’s recommendation was adopted. _ •:• -• ' .... The danse- (Nov*4) dealing, with the. cash payments for. money .paid in,.duty or for goods 'sold at- net. cash was then discussed.- - “v xl . Mr. Biach said that Xie agreed that duty ' should be paid on the- first day of the month, following-. 4.4 Mr. Corson suggested that the ivimr and spirit merchants could arrange- <v method . of collecting duty • among themselves. •; '' ' ' ‘■; , Mr, Murray enquired how the arrangement would work on tobacco. '

Mr. Corson moved; that duty be payable within 7 days after delivery. COMMERCE ; TW() Mr. ISlieridau said the duty paid on mods in'bond could form the rule. ° The clause '.vas adopted. Mr. Simson thought that the auctioneers should not charge more than the urrent bank rate of interest on accounts for stock sold -on .creditMr. Sheridan said the rate wag a enalty upon people- who should pay Mr. Kirk suggested that the rule hould apply to alt auctioneers. The c.ause was amended to read "stock or goods sold at auction oi stock sold privately,” and was adopted as amended. „ . ' , - Mr. Kirk said (referring to clause /) that it would not be wise to impose the nalty of expulsion for a breach of the rules. . ... - Mr. Sheridan said that if no penalty was- imposed the rules would go to the. retailers as a-.suggestion and the traders would adopt them for their own protection. Clause 7 imposing the penalty of expulsion for a breach of the discount rules was eliminated. , , - Mr Kirk suggested that the scale should be printed and circulated among traders. Id© moved. the amended report be adopted and that retail ers be recommended to adopt it.” The motion was carried. RAILWAY TIME TABLE. Mr. Kirk moved —“That this Chamber draws the attention of the Hon. the Minister fur Railways to the . proposed alterations in the time table of tho Napier-Wellington railway, and urges that * any . alteration which will prejudicially effect the interests of tho travelling public of Gisborne will not be satisfactory to this Chamber.” Tho motion was carried without dissent.

LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES. 7

Mr. Kirk also- moved—-“ That this Chamber expresses its satisfaction at the proposal of the Government to borrow money in London for the purpose of advancing same- to local bodies.' He said that ho thought that if tho Chamber could support tho Government in putting more money in circulation through' local bodies it would go a good distance towards relieving the financial stringency. The motion was carried. The- Waiapu Native land petition was laid on the table for signature. WHARFAGE CHARGES.

Mr.. W. A. O’Meara raised the question of the increase in wharfages by he Harbor Board, and contended that the burden was being put on business rieopie instead of upon the ratepayers. Mr. Sheridan said be agreed with tho method, adopted ;by the Board to raise- increased revenue. The Chairman said the new dredge had been ordered, and had to be. paid for. He thought that as the port was* to be improved, all people should contribute to the. cost, and tho whole expenso should not- bo put on the property holder. 'The increased wharfages had “been carefully distributed. and would onlv last' .until; the ’dredge was paid for,. As, soon as the wharfages could h* reduced, .the Board t would make a reduction. He thought the s'vstem was fair, and hoped it would lie confirmed at tlie next meeting oi the Harbor Board. Mr. Preston supported the Chairman’s opinion. Mr. O'Meara said the charges were likely to influence orders coming from the “Coast' districts, and orders would Uo sent to Auckland to avoid the increased wharfages. Bv this time a large number oi members had left the meeting., Yir O’Meara moved that the Harbor Board be, asked to re-consider theqUMr!°Redstone the motion, which, on being put, was carried, and the meeting closed. .