PUBLIC OPINION

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume 49, Issue 7743, 12 July 1921, Page 3

PUBLIC OPINION

EXCESSIVE /HEIGHTS

Sir, The Chamber of Commerce is supposed to represent the business men of Tauranga, and a large ?ection of these business men have consiantly made their excuse for ■ exhorbitant prices “that the freights from Auckland to Tauranga were so high that they were compelled to charge more than in many other parts of New Zealand where freight charges were lower; that they 'could not "reduce I heir prices.” . Now, Sir, Mr. Green, who moved that the letter of the Otumoetai branch of the Farmers’ Union “be received’ (and no action taken) is one of these business men, and are we and other business men to draw the conclusion that he'and other local business men, do not want to have this overworked excuse removed. It is furthermore a pity that the organisation of local business men should be so little sympathetic to fanning interests as not to support the request of the farmers of a local district. Having been in business for many years, I am astonished that the local business men should allow such a matter to drop. As there has been reduction 4 of Freights throughout the world, why should Tauranga not reap the same benefit ? Is it any wonciei that I fanners feel generally that they, in ;their own interests, must organise and support co-operative societies of their own, such as The Farmers Union Trading Company, and are anxious that a branch of that company should' be established here? The Chamber of Commerce’s action ought to lead farmers, speedily to bring this about, and thus confer a benefit not only on themselves; but on us exploited townspeople as well. * I am, etc., TOWNSMAN, Tauranga, July 11th, 1921.