Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1921. NATIONAL ORGANISATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1921, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1921. NATIONAL ORGANISATION.

To the New Zealand mind the words, Board of Trade picture an authority, remarks the Lyttelton Times that keeps its weather-eye on prices; to the British sailorman it means the little che'rub that sits up aloft with its eye on ’he, manning scale, the load-line, dock, catgoes, and the foc’slo dietary scale. To the Canadian it means something altogether different, From the description of the Winnipeg Board of Trade (whfch is typical) as given by a member of that body who is now in Wellington, Mr A. ,1. Brenton, the difference will be realised. In talking over this essentially Canadian institution with a representative of the “Post” it appealed that it was just the sort of thing that New Zealand could adopt with* but little cost and groat advantage to the community as a whole. Much of the work done by the Canadian Board of Trade is already being done in New Zealand, but not in unity, not co-ordi-nated. For instance, the Tourist, Railway, Marine, Customs and Statistical Departments, Chambers of Commerce, and local lxadiee are all here separately doing much publicity work which is being done by the Canadian Board of Trade, and done as one <©ork. Mr Brenton produced an astonishing amount of ably-written and fully illustrated literature relating to Winnipeg, nil bearing the imprimatur of the Board of Trade of that city. That body be lieves in its city. It does not- boom or boost it, but it presents some eloquent. facts and figures about- it that have that result. If anyone wishes to know all about Winnipeg—no matter what—the Board of Trade is ready with answer to every question. It takes an acffve part in the social, moral, hygenic, religious, commercial and financial life of the people. The Canadian Board of Trade is comprised of business and professional men. It does not assume the authority of Government o(r local bodies, but it helps them 'to achieve greater efficiency and smoother working for the benefit of everyone. Its members havo nothing to gain apart from sharing in the general good of the community due to the lioard’s efforts. In Winnipeg members pay twenty-five dollars per annum subscription and submit to assessment of further amounts if required. Every class is represented in the Board of Trade. It does not work in a series of and certainly not mutually antagonistic or indifferent sections. It is rampart against extremist from any quarter, Labour or otherwise. For instance during the recent gveat Winnipeg strike the Board of Trade of that city organised an industrial bureau which rendered invaluable service to the community as a whole. “We try to make people believe, 5 ’ explained Mr Brenton, “that our city is a good city to live in, trade in, work in; and wo show them why. Moreover, we endeavour to make it what it is. The Board of Trade is ri public-spirited organisation, and it is established for the common good in every possible way. One of the reasons why I am visiting New Zealand is to be able to tell the members of my Board of Trade nil about this British community in this other Dominion. It it a big national movement, this of tho Canadian Board of Trade. You will find a board in every city and town throughout Canada, and all of them working on identical linos. We take up such things as big patriotic appeals for funds, inquiries into transport facilities, and financial and other transactions vof local governing bodies, where inquiry is felt to be necessary. As the boards include the best citizens in the place we get the full advantages of their advice and service. It is a big board national affair in Canada. Tt extends a hearty invitation to everyone to use its facilities without fee or charge of any sort. The more the

Board of Trade is used by anyone interested the greater is the pleasure given to the members.”