WORK OF THE BOARD OF TRADE

Nelson Evening Mail, 29 September 1916, Page 3

WORK OF THE BOARD OF TRADE

MI'NIIISTERiIAX, REPLY TO' A CRITICISM. At this week's meeting of the Wellington Central Chamber of •Commerce a rosojution was passed setting out that the Board of Trade is not- representative of the commerce and industries of the Dominion. Speaking on the subject to a Post reporter yesterday, the President of the Board of Trade- (Hon. W. T>. .S. Macdonakii) said! he was considerably surprised at the unfair criticism levelled;, at the work of the Board, especially inview of the work already accomplished, particularly in th© other centres It had been the invariable practice of the members of the board, 'both privately and in conference, to meet andi discuss with the leading business men trade ■ problems with a view, not only to furthering the interest of local internal trade, but to the fostering of mew industries, and' to discus problems relating to trade after the war within the Empire and! with neutral countries, and the policy to be'adapted regarding post-war trade with our present enemies. The Minister pointed out tSt the Board of Trade was- already empowered bv statute to consider and' ensE into and report upon any.queshon relating to the trade, commerce, and busi- , ! n So New Zealand, and generally to advise as to how the trade industries,! and commerce of New Zealand! can be best encouraged, developed, and piotect W! further pointed out that naturally' had increased its functions, Srrt with complaints.revive to the high cost of living, but_ it totally unfair to suggest that its othei duties had been overlooked. Consider So"tie board had been in existence six months only, it was to exmeet at to get into touch with over> Smber of Commerce in New Zealand He understood that it was the desire of the appointedi of «ee that chambers outside Wellington prior to meeting later, che of the ££«£, Already the board had acted with the BrSh Board of Trade in an endeavour to develop and to stimulate tiade -be tween New Zealand! and other constitu mt part-, df the Empire, and in- this SleSon import™* «****»£ <££ H* or how markets othei than thosepoSSsed by the .E«n»non at the present time could he