A SUGGESTION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 983, 1 March 1910, Page 4

A SUGGESTION.

The Masterton Chamber of Commerce is an institution that is bound by no special laws restricting the scope of their business within set lines. It is for this reason they are able to take up any subject chat may be deemed beneficial to the town on whose behalf thev are using their time and abilities. This being recognised it goes without saying the chamber would only be too pleased to receive suggestions from outsiders that might give them something fresh to work on. It is recognised on all sides that' Masterton. in common with other centres, requires increased population, and the way to promote this is by introducing local industries. The Chamber might obtain a list of imported goods and carefully go through the same with a view to ascertaining what goods are imported that could be manufactured in the country. To mention one or two —carpets, flannelette, calicoes, and the like—are imported in very large quantities. Properly protected industries could be established in New Zealand for most of the manufactured goods that are now imported. The raw material can be obtained in India, Japan, and other places, direct, and what machinery could not be made in this country might be obtained in Britain, the States, or Europe. Probably an examination of the list of dutiable goods and the money paid out every year, would indicate to the Chamber the particular lines that might be worth taking up and discussing.