: : ; . ; o REPORT. J'ïff- », ¡ ï
upon these alleged proposals, and the assistance of the Association of Chambers
of Commerce was also invited. Ultimately, a preliminary report founded on
the recommendations of the Committee was communicated through the
Foreign Office to His Majesty’s Ambassador at Berlin, and the Committee
understand that the substance of it was brought under the notice of the
Herman Government. On the actual publication of the official version of
the new tariff it was decided to invite the views of the leading Chambers of
Commerce as to its probable effect on the manufacturing and trading interests
of their respective districts if enacted in the form in which it had been issued.
A summary of the replies of the Chambers and a report giving prominence to
the main features brought out by this summary were duly prepared, and the
substance of the report was communicated to the Herman Government through
the usual official channels. A copy of the report is annexed (Appendix D.).
New Russian and proposed new Austro-Hungarian Tariffs.
More recently the Committee have been called upon to consider the new
Russian and the proposed new Austro-Hungarian tariffs, these having been
referred to the Committee for consideration at a meeting on the 17th June
1903. In these cases also the procedure of inquiry and report by a Sub-Committee
of members representing commercial interests was again adopted.
Inquiries were made by the Sub-Committee among the Chambers of Commerce
and a number of other representative commercial bodies, and the India and
Colonial Offices were communicated with in order to elicit the opinions of the
Indian and Colonial Governments upon the same subjects. The replies
received were summarised as in the case of the Herman tariff, and after
these had been duly considered a report was framed for presentation to the
Board of Trade. This has now been communicated to the Foreign Office,
with a view to its recommendations being brought before the Russian and
Austro - Hungarian Governments. A copy of the report is annexed
(Appendix E.).
Grant to Society of Comparative Legislation.
One more matter remains to be mentioned. A communication from the
Society of Comparative Legislation was laid before the Committee at a
meeting on the 17th June 1903, applying for some financial assistance from
the Committee’s funds on the ground that its work, which was being carried
on without monetary aid from any quarter and as a self-imposed task, would,
as regards commercial legislation, be of use and value to the Committee.
After consideration of the matter, the Committee intimated that they would
be prepared to grant a sum of 100Z. towards the Society’s funds on the
understanding that the Society should take up, in connection with its work of
examining the legislation of various countries and publishing summaries
thereof, subjects of a nature in which the Committee is interested^and furnish
copies of its publications for their use. The conditions were agreed to and
the grant was accordingly made. At the request of the Society the Board
of Trade have nominated Mr. H. Llewellyn Smith, C.B., the Comptroller-General
of the Commercial, Labour, and Statistical Department of the Board,
and Deputy Chairman of the Committee, a member of the Council of the
Society.
Conclusion.
In conclusion, the Committee trust that they have done some useful work
in the interest of the Board of Trade and of the commercial public, and that
the funds which have been placed at their disposal have been administered to
advantage. Their term of office ends on March 31st, 1905, but they cannot
help thinking that the assistance which such a Committee may be able to
render to the Board of Trade in the event of its being reappointed may become
more and more valuable in view of the complexities of the position in regard
to impending changes in foreign tariffs, the fluctuations of our foreign trade,
and the exigencies of competition, especially if, as they hope, the annual grant
at their disposal is renewed and substantially increased.
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