The Daily News. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14. THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7925, 14 September 1905, Page 2

The Daily News. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14. THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING.

The meeting of (lie Taranaki Chamber of Commerce on Monday \vns thoroughly worthy of the position which N'i'iv Plymouth lias now taken ns on of tlru centres of the colony Xot only was tin? attendance large, hut it was except itnally representative of the professional and commercial interests of the town. Moreover, the tone of the meeting, as gauged by most of the remarks made, was distinctly above the average. 'l'he chief business was the question of furthering the interests of the back block settlers on the

Ohnra lload, and the unanimity" with which the tneu(bers of the Chandler sympathised with these ' pioneers of civilisation and industrial progress ill' the roadless North should assure them that 1 lieir err cry for relief from their present intolerable burdens will not ]«• in vain for want of advocacy *by the Chamber. The only point on which the Stratford deputation differed from the Chamber was as to the 'desirability tr r otherwise of joining forces with Auckland in pressing on the Government the urgent neird for pushing on the work of the Stratford—Oivgaruhe .railway from the northern end, and also expediting ! 11* progress of tire main trunk line, 'i'he attitude assumed by the Ohaniiber on this matter was' unquestionably sound. The object in view was that of iKnctiting Taranaki settlers, and tlrcrc was a concensus of opinion that this would more likely be accomplished -without the aid of Auck- , land than with it. It in perhaps, only natural that each district should further its own interests, and i! is certainly exceptional to find any one district prepared to .subordinate its own needs to thow of its J neighbours. ]n emphasising the fact that the interests of Auckland and taranaki were not identical, the Cliaiulivr oniy expressed what is patent to all observers. I to' h centres have a good deal to gain by tile; completion of the railway works works now in progress, but whereas our Auckland neighbours will chiefly* gain by the 'extension of their commerce. Taranaki is lighting desperarely lor the amelioration of its back block settlers. If, atf was point- ■ •d out, the Auckland I.eagtie is desirous of helping iWa'na'ki, it aecessitaten , I he subordination of I lie Auckland interests to those of this district, lor with us it is a matter 01 vital importune- that our .settlers obtain lacilities for getting their produce to market and obtaining their own supplies at a rate that does nut mean ruin. Apparently the most urgent need at present is the completion of the railway troni Stratford to StraUnnore. There is nothing to prevent this being done speedily if sulTiciint men are employed on the work, and 110 effort should Ik' spared in [Messing this imperative need oil the tiovrrnnient, as weil as the' extem-ii'il, within a reasonable time, to Whangamomona. It is incumbent 011 the members for •the whole of the to use every available means for securing the much needed expenditure for tho relief of the long suffering settlers, and their efforts will be heartily se-i ' conded by their constituents. The £ tvnc lias Jung iiucy sH'ivvjJ wjiuj tty j

neglect of our settlers' cannot bo tolerated, and it is thereforo satisi factory to !ind that such a commendable spirit is shown by tho Chambers of Commerce, both in Stratford and New', Plymouth, 'iid championing the cause of the belated settlers in the back blocks. It is anticipated that a large grant will be set down in the estimates for the work in question, but what is wanted is not only that an adequate vote be made, but that the money shall be spent, : promptly and to the best advantage.

ON" THE FOURTH PAGE, The Storyteller.