WELLINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 56, 8 March 1899, Page 5

WELLINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

THE AUSTRALIAN SQUADRON.

THE VANCOUVER SERVICE.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Tuesday.

At the annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce to-day, in addition- to the epitome already published, the Chairman said the year closed on September 30 with a record as regards the exports of the colony. Referring to defence, he said the colony to a certain extent Was provided for as regards naval defence, but the Australian squadron could not be in all places at once, nor was it intended to afford defence against casual attacks by single ships. As the colony could not afford a permanent force, our defence would mainly depend upon an efficient volunteer force. It was their duty to insist on the volunteer force being kept constantly in a high state of efficiency, and to see that no one shirked his duty who was bodily able for it; that none but good men got commissions as officers; that every man in the ranks was serviceable; and that every serviceable man took his turn in the ranks. Let them do that, ■ and they would have that preparedness for war which was the best guarantee of peace. In seconding the report, Mr Lachman referred to the unprotected state of Westport. The balance-sheet, which showed a small credit, along with the report, was adopted. The Vancouver, mail service was discussed, the speakers urging its retention and the necessity of urging upon the Government the benefits to be derived from entering into a reciprocal agreement with Canada. Ultimately a motion was carried that the Chamber, as representative also of other Chambers of the colony, represent to the Government tho necessity of taking steps to prevent the Vancouver service being lost to New Zealand,