AUCKLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9023, 8 February 1895, Page 5

AUCKLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

(PBESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) , AUCKLAND, February 7. At the annual meeting ot the Chamber of Commerce Mr A. H. Nathan, President, presided. The report slated with regard to the Rotorua railway it is gratifying to report that a large and increasing amount of tourist traffic has resulted therefrom and will no doubt increase in volume as the place becomes better known. Under the dead North Trunk Railway it says little if any progress has been made in completing this long deferred railway, and it certainly does not redound to the credit of the Government > that so little has been done. Having appropriated most of the funds set apart for this railway to other purposes, they now fall back upou the plea of .insufficiency of funds, owing to financial stringency. However, it is gratifying to learn that a small modicum of work ie to be dove by making a dray road commencing at To Kuiti, an'l terminating at Stratford., The Chairman stated he would briefly refer to the businees of the Chamber during the past year.) There could be no doubt, he said, that the benefit of, the Rotorua line would be unmistakeably; felt in years to come, but it was to be hoped that the completion of this' line' should not cause the people of Auckland to relai their efforts tor the protaotion of other lines. Tina was only au instalment, ajid their. eyes should be cast further south, and they should take steps to connect Auckland with some of the East Coast ports. Perhaps the next connection should be made with Gisborne. Mr Nathan then referred to harbour, matters, and - pointed out that, with all the boat ted superiority of the Port of Wellington, Auckland was still in advance ot that city in the amount of shipping done.. The necessity icr increased accommodation for ocean-going steamers wouli ere long have to engage the attention of fcne Board. The legislation of the paist season was then referred to very briefly, Mr Nathan assertirg that it remained to be seen how the measures would work out. ■ There was no use hiding the fact that the North IsUnd Trunk Railway could not be constructed without money, and until the money was available there was little use in continuMly pressing the matter upon the Government. The reciprocal tariff agreement just entered into with South Australia was referred to with approval, Mr Nathan urging that it might . prove the commencement of s> wider federation of the Australasian colonies. The revival in tho gold industry was especially marked. Tuis was, of course, an advantage to tho whole province. I« wou d "give employment for labour and find a good investment for capital. 'There had been an increase in gold production daring the year I of. over £25,000, and things were even more hopeful for the present year. The kauri gum market had also improved and showed signs of continued improvement in the futnre. The prodnction of wool bad been steadily increasing in Auckland for fhc past ten years, *nd its success would meat* very miwh to the province. It was gratifying to know that the San Francisco service was renewed for another three years, and there was no reason to fear that the steamers would cease to call at Auckland. Then there «r»e the Vancouver route, and in case of this being opened op the Chamber should take oare that Auckland should be a port of call. The question of ths freight by the direct steamers was touched npon, and then. Mr Nathan touched upon the dairy industry, and - quoted figures to show that it was a mistake to think th*6 Auckland was not a dairying province. He then moved the adoption of the report, which was carried, f