STRATFORD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 46, 29 May 1916, Page 7

STRATFORD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ANNUAL REPORT. Tiie following report will be presented to the annual meeting of the Chamber on Tuesday evening:— Since the last annual meeting activities of the Chamber have been somewhat reduced owing to war conditions, but the commute? has kept in touch with all local matters requiring tneir attention and have consistently taken action when desirable.

During the period under review the district has shown gieat material prosperity, due chiefly to enhanced values for staple products caused by the wai. While the alter effects of war remain beyond human foresight, common prudence would recommend economy and : provision against eventualities. Butter-fat production shows a steady increase. The following table of but-ter-fat received by the Stratford, Midhirst, Ngaire Lowgarth and Cardiil Dairy Factory Companies is interest-

ing Year. lbs: 1911- ... 3,257,490 1912- ... 3,722,221 ‘ 1913-11 ... 4,019,804 1914-15 ... 4,058,209 This shows the last yearly increase to lie 38,4051 bs, and the increase during the period to equal 241 per cent. The increase is plainly due to improved farming, particularly to increasing culjtivation of the soil and judicious use of fertilisers. The other staple products of our district, i.e., wool and meat, cannot be so easily 7 reviewed, but there is reason to believe that they 7 show ■ some increase in quantity.

Values of staple products have ruled and remain very high, cheese, butter wool and meat commanding prices !ar in advance of anything previously known in New Zealand. Here again wool and meat cannot be easily traced, but in regard to cheese and barter the following is conclusive: The dairy factories before mentioned paid out to suppliers in 1913-14, £215,882 9s, while in 1914-15, with an increased ! production of only 38,4051b5. of but-jter-fat they paid out £263,364 19s 3d, an increase of £47,482 10s 3d. It is pleasing to reflect that this ex.ra imoney has been distributed, generally speaking, among a section of the coinj inanity who work early and late, and j whose industrious efforts and tiresome toil richly deserve reward and probah-y more general good will accrue in this wav than in any other way whatsoever.

It ife worthy of note that cheese t values have returned about 4kl per lb. on butter-fat more than butter. The 'suppliers of Stratford and Midhirst factories would therefore have received for butter-fat £54,585 2s 7d more than they did If cheese instead of butter had been made. This sum appears to be a big price to pay for the udference between receiving back skim milk and whey. i Conference of New Zealand Chambers of Commerce was held at Wellington in August. There was a large attendance and proceedings extended over three days. This Chamber’s remit relative to freight discrimination in favor of foreign manufacturers was carried. The formation of an Association of New Zealand Chambers of Commerce was probably the most important action taken at the Conference. A strong executive committee was ap : pointed, and much good should result from this organisation to protect and further commercial interests. Other important and interesting matters were discussed. These are set forth in the agenda paper and the whole proceedings have been printed and copies of same received. I The executive committee met on s;h 'April and a copy of the minutes of -.he were received, i Ohura Visitors.—The return visit ot settlors from Oliura was made hisi ahtumn, and favored by fine weather, was much enjoyed. The visitors were shown ovei fche district, pedigree stock and places of interest being inspected. The opportunity was taken to conte:

on various matters o t mutual imp u since and resolution* wore passed concerning same. The necessity el tt e phono connection between Tahoxa anTutu remains but road communication lias been improved. The sympathies of the Chamber are always wit i «u v block districts, and various comnumications have been received irom t lem enlisting joint action in different mat tors, Requirements of such districts always meet with lull support of the Chamber. Public Works in this district proceed • all too slowly in general, and in particular the Stratford Fort Office bunding remains a disgrace to a Dcpartmcm

which is generally alive to necessities. War conditions render inadvisable uncompromising agitation in phis courier • tion, but viligant watch should ' e kept on the Public Works' expenditure in this district and elsewhere, and action should be taken to promote expenditure on works which are nrgenuy required here unless the Government curtail public works in other districts. Railway Time-table.—-A new timetable between Stratford and Whangamomona came into force on October Ist, and is proving very convenient to settlers, but further improvement by means of a* Saturday train is urgently

required. Mount Egihont lias ever interested your committee, and in past years we made efforts to have the Stratford Mountain House and access thereto improved. The recently-formed Mountain Club took this matter in band "iid sought tire Chamber’s moral support, which was freely given. The Club is to bo congratulated upon the success of their efforts, which have resulted m the metalling of the remainder of the Pembroke Road, about 90 chains. This we are sure will he of great benefit to the district, and should be a prelude to efforts to have a comfortable hostelry built. The easy and short access to the mountain from Stratford must provide the greatest inducement to tourists provided equal comforts and conveniences arc mane available. Progress of the War.—Practical comment hereon is of course beyond us, but advantage is taken of this occasion to record our admiration of the valorous deeds of the soldiers who have gone forth from this district and the whole Dominion and to record our abiding sympathy with all those aho have suffered loss. Our sentiments in this connection are too deep and sacred to ho probed or laid bare by 7 open expression and we know that whatever the cost may 7 be we must and will endure until right shall prevail.