OUR LETTER BOX.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue XXXXV, 5 December 1903, Page 4

OUR LETTER BOX.

{We are at all times willing to pub- | lish correspondence on matters of ; public interest, but it must be distinctly understood that we ara not identified with the letters of our correspondents.—Ed. Daily Ne»s.) NEW PLYMOUTH TRADESMEN'S ASSOCIATION. (To The Editor.) • Sir,—l am directed by the Trades- ] ■ion's Association to forward you the following letter, * ! i u refluent that you will publish l. >'-me. "The Tradesmen's Associ. 1 wish to express their surprise at i tone of the discussion which took place at the Chamber of Commerce meot- » ing last night as reported in j oinissue of this morning with regard to the above Association.

•"We would point out that at oay rate on our side no feeling of antagonism exists, but that we realise that both bodies can exist to the benefit of the tor.vn ; our particular province being the regulation and observance of special matters affecting trade interests—the Chamber dealing rather with matters of general policy for the betterment of the town and province, and its discussions being at times of such a general nature as to become ethereal.

"To (Juote Mr Samuel, as reported by you, should at once show the difference between and the need of the two associations : 'lt was very wrong to think that as a. Chamber it should endeavour to obtain an actual physical consummation of the . ends aimed at.' "The function ami aim of the Tradesmen's Association on the other hand is to obtain an actual physical •ontumniatlion of such matters as we take in hand, and there are very many such matters and details affecting trade interests which are not possibly of sufficient general importance to obtain due consideration from the Chamber of Commerce. "Tile fa«tt that we forward our resolutions to the Ghamlber of Commerce for discussion a«d endorsement is surely proof in itself of the fact that we wish to work in harmony. It is also an understood thing that members of one body may be members of the other, and in several cases are, and no doubt with benefit to both. '•'We need not look further for an example of that which does not tend to popularise the Chamber than its last meeting, where, to quote your report. 'Resolutions dealing with fire inauranco matters had been received from the Tradesmen's Association: . some time since, but owing to there bfeiag no nieeting of the Chamber in the meantime it had been held over.' Now, sir, these resolutions were forwarded together with proposed alterations in the railway time-taf»le, and both were acknowledged by the sec-, retary of the Chamiber in a letter d&ted Oct. 29, stating that 'your letter was last night laid before i !»e meeting. . . . The matters re insurance were not discussed, etc.' Procrastination is not business. "Nor do such remarks as Mr Paul's 'That it must be for the reason that one or two run the Association, and recognise that they could not have things all their own way here,' at all represent the relations which have hitherto existed between the two bodies."—l am, etc., HICKMAN F. RUSSELL, Secretary Tradesmen's Association.

AMBULANCE WORK. (To the editor.) Sir, —I should like to say a few words in answer to Mr Gray's remarks ' at the Hospital Board meeting on Wednesday that the doctors were against aui-ljulance worfi because it would rob them of a few fees. Tnese remarks were uncalled for, and disparaging to thy doctors who for years past have gratuitously given lectures on ambulance work to men and women, not that we might rob them of a few fees, I,'ut tiuut we might relieve the suffering of our

fellow mon. When the Ambulance Brigade offered to gjo to tho outside towns and give instruction to the settlers, it was asked if they were callable of doing it. Dr. Home said he could iind several, and if the men liked to attend at his house he would coach them up and make them more proficient. Does that look as if he were afraid o; losing fees ? Dr. Home, as riedical surgeon to the brigade, attended the meeting, to give his opSniotn. The case of the unfortunate man who lost (lis life as the result of an accident at Jtahotu a few weeks ago was mentioned, and had lirst aid been given he could bare been made comfortable in any conveyance. An jmibulance van, ev«n if upholsteru'4 with \)elvi»t, would have been of little use to him without lirst ai«l treatment. Mr Gray evidently desiifs to put the ratepayers to the expense of a van which will o«Ly be a white elephant unles» lie can tied iue» with a knowledge of firs! eif* 'o work it. Let linn gav<i up his hotyby for a tiinu and support the board in saeWing fche brigade out to instruct the settlers. —I am, etc.. ONE OF TIIK BRI'JADE.