CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CONGRESS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2611, 20 September 1909, Page 5

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CONGRESS.

CABLE NEWS.

CLOSE OF THE CONGRESS

Unitkd Puitss Association —Copyiugiit SYDNEY, Sept. 17.

At the Chambers of Commerce Conigress, Mr Amies (Montreal) movedl in favor of the appointment of am Advisory Imperial Council, to consider questions of Imperial interest, especially those tending to promote trade between various parts of the Empire. An interesting debate ensued.

Messrs Knox .(Melbourne), Backshuff (Canada), and Jen kens (Adelaide) supported Sir Albert Spicer. Without opposing the suggested Imperial Council proposal, a Council of Commerce, holding oeriodncail sittings in different pants *, of the Empire, it would, they considered, be preferable to a permanent body.

The motion was passed. Mr Dixon (Sheffield) moved that the system in force in West Australia, South Australia, and New Zealand, charging income tax upon British convmercial travellers and agents, was pro judicial to British trade,. and should he removed.

Several Australian, delegates and Mr Harkness (Wellington) spoke against the motion, which was rejected. ’ Sir Albert Spicer moved, urging tliJat the Home and colonial Governments should consider what further or better steps than at present exist should be taken to elaborate a general Stateaided scheme at reduced rates to encourage the emigration of suitable settlers to British Dominions. He s aid : If those of us who come from the Mother Country have not been misinformed, there are powerful parties in some of the States of the Commonwealth who, so far from desiring immigrants, seek to curb the inflow of new settlers. That, he continued, was an attitude they could understand if any of the Australian (State© were approximately peopled up to the full! capacity. “Australia for the Australians,” in its absolute sense, represents limited ambitions. It forboded the possibility of future enervations. He would rather see “Australia for Australians and Britons,” a whole-hearted welcome to new chums; a determination to make the fullest use of those natural resources with which the Commonwealth was richly endowed. To Canada, must be awarded the palm of having offered the most generous attractions to British immigrants. Tho result was seen in tine manifold growth of streams of emigrants in 14 years. When Australia borrowed most for reproductive works, she had more attractions for British immigrants, so when sine temporarily retired as a borrower, the stream of immigration became sluggish. Canada, on the other hand, had digested heavy amounts of British capital, while in 1906 it was estimated that not less than £40,000,000 had been invested in the Dominion. As the flow of capital gathered strength, the tide of immigration had risen. Mr Barr (Dunedin) supported the motion. The only alternative to encouraging immigration was to see themselves in the course of tho next ten years working for either Japanese or German employers. The motion was carried.

The Congress carried motions that tho duties on travellers’ samples should lie refunded on the traveller’s departure within 12 months; that the colonies be requested to prohibit the entry of goods not of British origin, but bearing false marks indicating they were of such origin, and that the British Government be asked to introduce a protective clause in all commercial treaties; that there should he a uniform system of weights and measures; that steps should be taken to have a State-owned cable between Britain and Canada, and that endeavors be made to obtain a substantial reduction of rates, 'especially press rates; that the various Governments should take steps to have judgments made en for cable tlirougliout the Empire; that there be a uniform declaration of the origin- and value of goods; that the Congress reaffirms the previous resolution for tho formation, of Conciliation and Arbitration Boards in trade disputes; that the Australian Governments . lie requested to limit the size of wheat bags, so as to contain 2001bs; that all colonies having jurisdiction to legislate on the copyright suited to their respective Dominions; that a lighthouse he. established at Cocos Island, at the joint expense of the Imperial, Indian, Ceylon, and Commonwealth Governments.

On the motion of Mr Smith (Invercargill), it was resolved that! a lighthouse should be erected at the Snares, to he maintained by Australia and New Zealand.

A motion to abolish duties on trade catalogues was withdrawn. Tire Congress carried a motion favowing the insertion of a provision in all future maill contracts entered into by the Imperial and Colonial Governments for wireless telegraphy equipment on mail steamers.

It was resolved that the levying in the United Kingdom of income tax on profits and incomes which have already paid the tax in India is inequitable and should be discontinued. \ It was also resolved to urge tbe Imperial Government to secure the reduction of the Suez canal dues. The Congress has closed. \otes of than Its were tendered to Lord Dudley, Lord Chelmsford, and Sir A. Spicer, and cheers wore given for the King. Sir A. Spicer stated that he understood the next conference would ho hold in London.