RIVAL TRADE METHODS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3499, 29 May 1920, Page 7

RIVAL TRADE METHODS.

‘AUCKLAND AND VVELLINGTON.

SOUTHERN M.P’S. ANXIETY.

Reporting to the VVellington Central Progress League, on his recent visit to Masterton, Colonel G. Mitchell, M.P., said that at a meeting of representative men, presided over by the president of the Chamber of Commerce, the question of trade and commerce with Wellington was touched on by almost every speaker, such reference being to the disadvantage of Wellington in comparison with Auckland_ The general impression was that most goods could he landed in Master-ton cheaper ifrom Auckland than from Wemngmn ‘houses. Also that merchants from the Tnortheru city were more pushful and iobliging than ‘those in Weumgton, and that trade was gradually going to .-’xuck land as a consequence “One’s civic pride and Jo_a;alty to the iniusts of the tli.:'.;'iv.t are deeply tocclzc-d when such things are brought to light!’ he cont.ic:zo'l. "We h=l'\‘o a cheap port and every opportunity to compete successfully with others .and such. statements as these are the more surprising and (lisagrceable. I there-

fore deem it my duty to bring these matters before your notice in order that some action may be taken. No business community, however wealth)’, prosperous and well satisfied, can at‘ford to be independent, nor can we as? a community afford to lose one shil-L ling’s worth of trade that should! really come to Wellington as: the ship-‘ ‘ping and commercial centre. The pro3gressive people of Masterton and Wailrarapa generally complain that our kcity dwellers are cold and unresponsive to their constant call for a closer and more sympathetic CO-opel'ation._ . “I am also informed thot'our alert Auckland merchants are getting a hold down the Main Trunk line, even to the 3 very confines of our city, but no direct evidence of this was. submitted, ‘ “The great fertile lands of the VVai-'l-arapa are, or should be, the garden ‘of Wellington. This splendid stretch of country is only just over the range, yet. it takes four hours to get there, a.nd few of our city folk know of its extent and possibilities. It is the home of large landowners. where hun_dreds of small industrious farnier-s should reside. ’ “The first and most: urgent necessity is-to bring this fertile country Within close reach of our city by an up-to-date railway which does not climb the mountain. The second is the imlne~ diate closer settlement of the larger estates in the district. Thirdly. I would respectfully suggest. that 21 greater and more united effort be made by our Chambers of Commerce and :busi-

ness men, rowan-ds gzetting info clns£“.' personal touch with the districts SC‘l‘\~ ed by Wellington as a centre" ~_-:-_-go-:-_:-_;.2-.-_-..=_-:2