WELLINGTON'S TRADE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 205, 25 May 1920, Page 3

WELLINGTON'S TRADE

COUNTRY DISTRICTS NEGLECTED

REPORT TO PROGRESS LEAGUE

Keporting to the Central Progress League 011 his recent visit to Masterton, Mr. G. Mitchell, M.P., said that at a meeting of representative men, presided over by the, president of the Chnmbr of Commerce, the question of trade with Wellington was touched on by almost evai-y speaker.. He noticed that the references were the disadvantage V rif Wellington in comparison with Auckland. The general .impression, was that most goods could be. landed in Master.ton cheaper from Auckland than "from Wellington houses, that from the northern city, were more • pushful and obliging than the.-Weliington men, and that trade was gradually going to Auckland as a consequence. .. • "One's civic pride and'loyalty to the interests of the district are de'opiy touched when such things are ' hrouyht to' light,", said Mr. Mitchell.. "We have n' cheap port, and every opportunity ' to cori\peto successfully with others,. ; and Buch .statements as these are tho ■ more surprising and disagreeable. I therefore deem it my duty.'to bring ,these matters tefore your notice in order that- sonic, action, may be taken. No'business community. however wealthv, prosperous, and well satisfied, can afford to be independent, nor oan we as a community afford to lose 0110 shilling's worth of trade that should really nouie to Wellington as the shipping and commercial centre. The progressive people of Maste-ton and the WairaraPa generally, complain that our city dwellers are cold and unresponsive to their constant call for a' closer and more sympathetic co-operation.

"I am also informed that the alert Auckland merchants are getting jx hold down the Main Trunk' line,' even~tb tho very confines of our city,, but no direct evidence of this was submitted. ■ The great fertile lands of the Wairarapa arc, or should be, the back garden of Wellington. This splendid stretch of country is only just over the "range,'.yet it takes four hours to get. there "aw' few of our city folk know of its extent and possibilities. It is the home of large landowners, where hundreds of small industrious farmers should reside.

"The first and most urgent necessity is to brim;'this fertile country within close roach of our city by nn up-to-date railway, which does not climb the mountain. The second' necessity is„ the immediate closer settlemeiirof the larra estates iri the district. Thirdly: I would respectfully si'Tses 1 : that a-creator and mors united effort be ninde by our chambers of commerce and business men t-o-' wards rettinpr close" nerfnnl touch with tln> districts served by Wellington as a centre."