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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4132, 18 June 1874, Page 2

Whatever may have been the case years long ago, it certainly seems desirable that there should now be a Chamber of Commerce established in Wellington. That tho one formerly in existence should have come to an untimely end need not occasion surprise when the complications attending that period are remembered, and, therefore, the fact forms no argument against a second Chamber being organised. This, wo believe, was tho opinion of several leading merchants in the town so lately as last year, when tho desirability of a second Chamber was agreed to, but tho matter was suffered to drop through. What seems to be required is some one or other to take the initiative, and agitato tho still waters along which tho commerce of Wellington is being carried. Very probably some of our leading merchants think that they have enough business of an outside character on their hands already. Some are members of Parliament, members of the Provincial Council, members of Synod, members of the City Council, and members of various hoards and institutions, besides having large business transactions of their own to superintend. Their time is, we doubt not, fully occupied. But this in no way affects tho question. On broad public grounds we say that there ought to bo a Wellington Chamber of Commerce, and wo believe that it would bo supported by the whole mercantile community, if it were but established. The views of tho Government on tho subject may bo gathered from tho announcement wo yesterday published, that telegrams would bo supplied to Chambers of Commerce and other public bodies, for general information, at the reduced rotes charged to tho Press. The very fact of such a concession being made ought to bo sufficient to cause our mercantile men to ho unanimous in at once establishing a Chamber. Lot them do this, and appoint an intelligent secretary, and there is little question that the Chamber would have a useful and honorable career before it.

Tliero is very much work that can bo performed, more efficiently by a Chamber composed of mercantile men, but that cannot be undertaken by any other body with the slightest chance of success. Its members would speak with all the authority of experts upon matters relating to commerce. It may bo said, without any disparagement to the Legislature representing the various classes of which the community consists, that a committee of merchants would be much more likely to decide accurately and equitably upon mercantile law and polity than the much more heterogenous majority of hon. members. And wo may even go a little further than this. Merchants are likely to have a clearer idea of the effects of a fiscal policy upon the trade and commerce of a country than any Parliament composed of members returned to represent the various interests to bo found scattered throughout the Colony. The Chambers of Commerce in New Zealand do at the present time give decisions upon public subjects that cannot but bo received with respect. The strongest Government in England would afford duo consideration to the representations of the Liverpool and Manchester Chambers of Commerce. In the various Australian Colonies the Chambers are powerful bodies. In Adelaide they have not only a Chamber of Commerce, but one called by the absurd name of the Chamber of Manufactures. Surely, in the face of those facta there should bo a Chamber established in Wellington. There are peculiar and special reasons why the course wo advocate should betaken at once. Now Zealand never was in such a prosperous state at any previous period of her history. It is probable, nay more

than probable, that the next few years will witness a vast expansion of her trade and commerce. It is believed by persons likely to bo well informed on the subject, that efforts will be made to secure for this Colony a very large proportion of the vast and valuable trade to be done in the South' Seas. Some large consumers in Wellington are using Grey Hirer coal for furnace and steam purposes in preference to that from Newcastle, and as soon as the railway from the pits to the seaside is opened they will obtain the coal they require at little more than half the price they now pay. It is confidently expected that the Colony will soon be relieved from the necessity of importing pig-iron, and when this shall be the case, with cheap coal and iron New Zealand must become a great centre of manufacturing industry. We are on the eve of having direct telegraphic communication with every country in the world save Africa, and experience has demonstrated what an impetus the telegraph wires afford to commerce. With such important changes in immediate prospective it is time the Wellington merchants associated themselves to watch over the interests of commerce, and to direct these into their proper channels. There are many matters of detail that they could arrange with profit and advantage both to themselves and the community at a common consultation ; and as they know, in mercantile as well as other matters, union is strength. Beside the general reasons that may be urged for the establishment of a Wellington Chamber of Commerce, there are special and local ones. It is hardly befitting that the capital town of the Colony should be without such an institution. And there is essential work relating to the town that a public institution might take in hand. Recently there has been something said about new wharf accommodation, a graving dock, a tug service, and the mismanagement of the present wharf. A representation on these subjects, coming from a Chamber of Commerce to the proper authorities, would bo certain to command attention. If a mercantile firm or a merchant address the powers that bo, simply individual opinion is expressed, and therefore carries but limited weight with it. But a collective opinion, coming from the merchants of Wellington, would have a widely different effect. If anything can bo done to prevent the recurrence of such disasters as have taken place but recently on the coast, to guard the growing commerce of the town, to assist in developing the great natural resources of the Colony, and to watch opportunities as these arise for aiding Now Zealand to become the Greater Britain of the South, it is for a Wellington Chamber of Commerce to take an honorable part in such worthy enterprise.