TRADE OF THE EMPIRE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3765, 26 February 1913, Page 5

TRADE OF THE EMPIRE.

IMPERIAL COMMISSION OPENS - ITS SITTINGS. DUNEDIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REMITS. INTERESTING PROPOSALS BROUGHT FORTH. LPKESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.} DUNEDIN, Feb. 25. The Dominions’ Royal Commission hold its first sitting in Dunedin today. Mr Loudon (President of the Chamber of Commerce) welcomed the Commissioners, and expressed Ndie hope that the result of their labors would be for the lasting benefit of the Empire. Mr Loudon submitted the following remits from the Chamber of Commerce : - of establishing Empire development and reference bureaux with headquarters in London for expanding and developing the natural sources of various parts of the Empire with the following objects: (a) To encourage investment of capital and provide for protection of investors, and also to examine facts and vouch for the accuracy of prospectuses, (b) That self-governing parts of the Empire set aside a sum annually for systematic prospecting and experimenting under expert and unbiassed officials. (c) That results of such expert research be interchanged and made available at branches in all parts of the Empire. (2) With a view to the increasing of trade and manufactures, migration should be encouraged to the younger countries of the Empire. (3) That the cost of . cable communication should be reduced as low

as possible, and that the question of . laying a new cable across the At- ' lantic and a State-controlled cable service from Great Britain to the furthermost parts of the Empire should be considered; that the English Postal Department should have suggestions made to it by the Commission for securing a’materially reduced charge on overseas newspapers posted in the United Kingdom. (4) Empire national exhibitions should be held at periods of three years alienating in different parts of the Empire, the loss, if any, to be borne by the Government of) that part in which the exhibition is held. (5) To consider the question of solne equitable and reciprocal arrangement to provide subsidies for shipping facilities between points of the Empire and elsewhere. (6) That it would be of assistance to trade and commerce if commercial and merchant shipping laws throughout the British Empire were brought into closer conformity than at present. (7) That consideration should be given to the question of patent laws in the direction of simplification, and also the feasibility of establishing a national patent office governing all patent rights applied for or granted within the Empire.

Mr J. A. Johnston read a memorandum on migration, emphasising the need of young men and women who could make good use of their hands. Referring to the dearth of domestics and farm servants, waitresses, factory workers, shop assistants and so forth, he said good craftsmen such as masons, bricklayers, carpenters, painters, plumbers, ironworkers, cabinetmakers, butchers, bakers, sailmakers. harnessiruakers, etc;, were also urgently required here. He thought that the rate of immigration from England should be increased; The supply of domestic servants fell verv short of the demand.

FROZEN MEAT. Mr Johnstone next read a memorandum on the frozen meat industry. He referred to the drawbacks caused by so many loading ports in New Zealand, and the multiplicity of marks in each ship’s manifest. It was essential (1) That farmers should continue to improve their flocks and herds by breeding stock the meat of which was found to suit the best taste of customers. (2) That freezing companies should continually strive to raise the reputation of their respective “trade marks.” (3) That shipping companies should go on providing the best possible facilities for getting meat to the markets of the world; and (4) That the High Commissioner should bring influence-to bear upon the port authorities of the United Kingdom and elsewhere for better methods for discharge. storage, and delivery of meat. On the subject of cable communication. Mr Johnstone urged All-Red cable communication between Britain and Australasia by laying a line from Britain to Canada. He advocated a system of deferred cables when wires were slack without restriction as ..to the words used. Weekly market reports should lie received by the producing countries from countries needing their produce. Mr Loudon read a memorandum by Mr G. Fenwick expressing appreciation of the establishment of deferred cable rates, but regarding it as only an instalment of reform. He also referred to the practically prohibitive rates on overseas newspapers posted in England. Mr Loudon presented a memorandum in support of the remit of the Empire National Exhibition and said the series of exhibitions proposed in London, Australia, South Africa. New Zealand, and possibly India would lead to an extensive and mutual exchange of visitors from one part of the Empire to another. Snch exhibitions would be solely for advertising the Empire, not to bring together the product of other competing nations. PATENTS AND TRADE MARKS. Mr Loudon dealt with patents and trade marks,. advocating uniformity throughout the Empire and suggesting the establishment of a National Prints and Trade Marks Office in London with sub-offices in each State. To conserve the revenues of the States, the Empire coultTbe divided into sections and a sliding scale of fees prescribed. The validity of patents as

regards each State could be made independent. The establishment of a central office would involve the unification of patent laws. Mr J. R. Peck, patent agent, advocated a uniform law, but did not favor compulsory working provisions. Uniformity in regard to the duration of patents existed at present in the United Kingdom and the dominions except Canada, which gave 18 years as against 14 years in other British countries. Mr W. E. Reynolds read a memorandum oft commercial and merchant shipping laws, advocating closer conformity than at present existed, and alteration regarding f.o.b. and c.i.f. sales and the responsibility of ships in connection with the storage, of goods. The Commissioners expressed the opinion that these matters would involve legislation. SUITABLE IMMIGRANTS. Mr G. Narber (secretary of the Dunedin Expansion League) referred to the unsuitability of immigrants who worked their passages out here. As showing the need for apprentices, he said many firms were prepared to pay the passages of boys and girls in order to fill their wants. The wholesale clothing and boot manufacturer had been short of hands for the last 4 years and at the present could do with 50 additional employees, men, women, and children. Time-expired men of the Army and Marine might make suitable immigrants. The Commission will sit again tomorrow.