CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Auckland, Jan. 23.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 337, 26 January 1889, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Auckland, Jan. 23.

AN adjourned meeting of the members of the above body was hold yesterday after noon in the New Zealand Insurance Build ings. Captain Col beck presided. There were also present: Messrs J. Milne, S.Vaile, Caughey, Boss, Bridgowafcer, ,). Newman, ,1. M. McLachlan, J. Reid, W, Tait, T. Ching, C. Houglnon, J. L\ King, W. Lodder, Dr. Campbell, and Captain Ash by. Chairman's Rjcfokt. — Captain Colbeck said that he would "dispense with tho usual quarterly report on account of the change in the presidency during the quarter. There was a difficulty experienced by a new j man coming in and taking up the position of president. Besides that, thcio were no questions of any considerable consequence. Even the change in the 4i.->oal policy of the Government couid scarcely be discussed yet, as it had scarcely shown the results anticipated in causing now industries to spnng up. He could congratulate the Chamber upon the improved aspect of things in New Zealand generally, and in Auckland in particular. The wave of adversity came apparently frDm the South and reached Auckland last, consequently it had i;ecedod iiom Auckland l&tt. That it was receding could not be doubted, tor already the outlook was bettor. Business now was upon a tinner basis, and the increased value of cereals and .igriculbmal productions generally had given an impetus to the hopeful feeing that appeared to permeate tho minds ot the poople. Tho only danger was that they might try to force a boom — a thing which had boen so fatal to the colony in the past, and to Au&tralia more recently. He considered that in New Zealand they had one of the finest countiies on God's eaith, and all they wanted was to go along quietly and settle the land. Ho would be careful not to touch upon politics, and would not go boyond saying that the policy of the Government had not had the effect hoped toy in creating and lilling up local industries. He was sorry (o hurry over his leport, but as they had their old friend Captain Ash by with them, he tclt sure that all would wibh to hear him speak upon tho questions with which he was intimately concerned. In order to allow full timo for this lie would himseli only touch upon the various points set down, First, there was the , question ot the land, which was the sourco of all wc.j. th, and to it they must look, and should make c\eiy facility for it& iapi.l settlement. Pensioner settlements had received the considetation of the Council, and ho was albo glad to see that it was recoi\ in 14 favourable consideration at Home. He had with him a letter from Captain Davency upon that subject, and ho leg rotted that time would not permit of his reading it to thi-m it had been almost prened that the commission received by the IN ew Zealand Government on payment of pensions would l'epre&ent the interest upon the Capital \alue oi the land given to the pensioners. It now amounted to £1,000 above tho cost of those employed to dispense the pensions. It would be compaiatively ea&y to get out 100 families at once, and then, as he had before said, the inteicat received upon the pensions would almost pay the capital \alue of the land given to them. They had in tho North of Auckland 2,562,000 acies or wa<=to land belonging to the Crown, on which loally nothing at all was being done. The Minister of Lands had just been down there, and he was an excellent authority upon the subject. Well, he declared that fcho North of Auckland was a place where settlers might safely be &cut to enjoy the beautiful land. It was a place suitablo for soldieis to settle down in comfort with their pensions. He had also intended i o have spoken upon the mining industry and railway extension, but he would leave them tor the piesent. The bankruptcy laws had also received the consideration of tho Council, and their Chamber had decided to bring the matter before the Premier when he arrived in Auckland. With regard to the exports and imports, he might state that the returns were satisfactory, so iar as the last report was concerned. They had also considered the question of the Dunedin Exhibition, and tclt that much benefit might accrue to Auckland by exhibiting there, and the Chamber would undertake to sec that Auckland was as well represented as possible. The question of the appointment of Railway Commissioners was a subject that required more time than they could at present deAote to it. He would not therefore touch upon it, but ask Captain A&hby to address the Chamber.