A PLEA FOR UNITY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 261, 3 December 1903, Page 2

A PLEA FOR UNITY.

A refreshing feature of the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, held last evening, was the maimer in which the relations of that institution with the Tradesmen's Association were discussed. There was no attempt to deny Hmt hithertoi things have not bec-n going jjs they might, and that a feeling of antagonis'iu had grown up between the two bodies. This, of course, is a most regrettable state of things, and it is to be hoped the remarks—and they were free amd unstinted—which were passed may serve to show thai so iar as the Chamber of Commerce is concerned it can hardly be chorgeiKwith apathy towards the people actively engagwd in the retail business. That there should be this tendency to class distinctions is a matter much to be deplored ; yet in the face pf what may be heard almost any day Jts existence cannot be denied. And what is the reason ? Looked at from the standpoint of the Ohaimber there seems none. Every endeavour has keen made to popularise the institution, by lowering tho Inscription and canvassing for members. Finally the Cham'bei was threatened with extinction for want of funds, as even with the reduced amount of subscription people engaged in business displayed an astonishingly apathetic attitude, and were evidently but little disposed to consider trade interests outside the scope of their own shop or oilice walls. The membership was composed of professional men or retired merchants, who from an unselfish interest in those things appertaining to the welfare and advancement of the town felt impelled to keep alive an almost moribund association. They derived only minor 'benelits from their work; the people whose direct and actual interests were being conserved held aloof. Since tik»n there liave been spasmodic revivals of interest in the

Chamix>r, ami some time a<g'o a num,ber of now members were elected Irom the tradesmen's ranks, with what result may be seen from the l'act that of those particular members only one or two have since put in an appearance at a meeting of the Chamber Then, though' tme association seemed more than could be ■engiagwl in. the profitable exploita.i ion ot tra-de and other aidva'nta'gies' for the town, ohe section of the community inaugurated another body, known as' the Tradesmen's Association. We do not wish to (juestiun the advisalilehess or detract from the usefulness of a union of tradesmen such as this -is—far be it Irani us to tlo so-'but it is reKK'ttable in the extreme that there should have arisen any feeling of estrangement between the two bodies. [here is ample room for both, the Chamber of Commerce would seem to be a suitable authority to discuss matters of .general interest to the town and district, indo|«>n■dent of any particular trade prolossum, or industry ; whilst the functions of a Tradesman's Association appear to resolve themselves into a more 'detailed ■ attention to the inteiests of trades and industries. The two shoul'd work in unision, anil until a true spirit of co-operation is brought into play the best results cannot be olrtrfTnitd either for the community as a whole or for any special section of it. So km® as one section, or clique-call it what we will—pursiua n poflcy of

carping, fault-llndtag witfr, or indifference to, the efforts of another directed to promote the best interests of the place, so long may we expect this town, with its line surrounding districts, to reniiin lagging behind our neighbours, who have recognised the wisdom of dropping local jealousies in their desire for the advancement of the public good. Wrongly interpreted, the discission last night may easily widen the ■breach which, we regret to say, is apparent ; but we feel assured the good sense of those whose interests ure so vitally concerned will savo tßom from the ignominy of causing their own and their neighbours' injury 'by recognising the oib-ject of the promoters of the discussion, which was to show that there is no bar to any one to Join the larger association, awl thus exert his influence for the general good in n wider scope. The latfer, we trust, will be the view adopted and loyally acted upon.

ON THE FOURTH PAGE. Hospital and Olwitable Aid Board Council of Churches. Ambulance Work.