TUESDAY, JANUAEY 5, 1904. THE COAST DISTRICTS TRADE.

Bush Advocate, Volume XVI, Issue 207, 5 January 1904, Page 2

TUESDAY, JANUAEY 5, 1904. THE COAST DISTRICTS TRADE.

—; ♦ Some time ago we took occasion to point out that there was a danger of gome of the trade in the country districts between Dannevirke and the coast,which should come to Dannevirke, being diverted to some of the centres nearer Wellington. Already a strong agitation has been made in favour of the construction of a light line of railway from Waipawa to Masterton, which if constructed would take the Weber trade ; and some comment has been made ou the fact that a great deal of produga that has hitherto been shipped by way of Dannevirke is this year going from the coast by steamer*. This is due to the fact that the roada between Weber and the coast •re gradually being improved, and to cheaper rates wbicb rule on sea-borne traffic. Tail h&g all been pointed out in these columns before, and we had hoped that the Chamber of Commerce, or some combination of the business men of the town, would have discussed the matter. Now we team from a

reliable correspondent that a further danger is threuteued, and that ia that, with the completion of certaiu roads in the Weber district, no small share of the produce from that centre will be diverted towards Pahiatua. It is evident that there will be keen competition later on for iho trade of the locality referred to, »nd the question is whether the business men of Daunevirke are prepared to see this trade p»ss from their bauds without some effort being made to retain it- We are not prepared at this junoture to suggest the course of action that should be followed, but we are thoroughly of the opinion that the matter is one which should be discussed by the townspeople at the earliest - possible moment. The subject is one of vital importance to the commercial interests of Dannevirke, and we trust that it will nut be allowed to disappear from public view. The possibilities in this connection, are sufficient to emphasize the importance and need for a live and vigorous body, capable of extending a watchful eye over all movements affecting the development and prosperity of the town. 'We would therefore urge as a first step that an attempt at least be made to revive interest in the Chamber of Commerce. To this end a meeting of business people should be called at once to ascertain the position of the preeent dormant body, with the view of reawakening interest in its career. When that has been successfully accomplished, the attention of the members might with advantage be directed towards the question of Dannevirke' s country trade, which we have now for the second time ventilated.