The Daily News. FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1903. NEW PLYMOUTH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 68, 20 March 1903, Page 2

The Daily News. FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1903. NEW PLYMOUTH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

I _* The importance of the su jects discussed at the meeting of the jNew Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, and tie public attention thus drawn to ifieat, shows the value of that institution. The decision to hold quarterly msetingg was a very wi«e one, and wo hope every effirt will be made to give greater prominence to the work of the Chamber. When newspaper s advocate giving greater publicity to the djings of any organisation, they are generally accused of being actuated by sordid motives, but we do now think the accusation will lie, as the press of Taranaki, on all occasions where the benefit of the district has bean involved, has been most self-denying, and has always giveu a quid pro quo for any benefits rtoayed. We nave always strongly advocated Ck/imbeis of Commerce, because tbere is no institution better able to dial with, discuss, and secure attention to the wants of any locality than such a body. A Chamber of Commerce has a freedom and power possessed by no other organisation. There j are no restrictions as to the subjects it is qualified to discuss, and if supported by the people of the locality, as it should be, it speaks with an au'hority which commands attention. Whatever the subject may be, if its discussion is for the advancement and welfare of the community, whether it bs trade, commerce, agriculture, dairying, education, or finance, it comes rightly within the province of a chamber of commerce. The range of subjects touched upon at the meeting of the local chamber on Wednesday evening proves this, because no one will dare assert that the chamber went beyond its province; but will rather express that time did not permit of a number of other subjects being dealt with. The action of the chamber in advocating the establishment of direct trade with Sydney, is one which should receive very strong and active support throughout the Provincial District. It is not necessary here to review the arguments in favour of such a course, we netd only say that the initiation of such a trade means enormously increasing the importance of the district, the value of every acre of land, of farm and dairy produce, and every description of live and dead stock. As regßrds cargo, if sufficent inducement offered, the productiveness of Taranaki could easily be doub'ed, so that no uneasiness ne*d be felt on that score. The position of the harbour renders it remarkably easy of access from both land and sea. The products f. om an enormous area can be veiy cheaply accumulated at the breakwater. Not only from the whole of Taraoaki but the wl o'e of the Waikatois within little more than twelve hours distance in point of time. What is wanted is a reduction of rates on the railway and special wharfage and dues for vessels and cargo going to and coming from Sydney. In the firso j matter tbere is little doubt but that the four members for Taranaki will unite, if asked to do so, in urging the adoption of special rates for goods and produce consigned to and from Austialia. Whilst, in the second place, the Harbour Board will doubtless make special coßcassions to vessels trading to parts bejond the colony. If this were done it would doubtless lead to the Waitara Freeing Works not ooly'

working full time, but to the establishment of meat tinuing works in connection therewith and generally it would give an impetus to production in many ways. The timber industry also would be benefited. In tho Mukuri swamp, about 12 miles down the Ohura Road, it is estimated there are between 30,000,000 and 40,000,000 feet of white pine. A great deal of this would find a ready market in Australia in exj change for the hard woods of which so much is imported to this colony. We [ hope that the Chamber of Commerce will be heartily supported by the public in their efforts to secure this great boon of direct trade with tho Australian States.