WAIRARAPA TRADE

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 123, 25 May 1920, Page 8

WAIRARAPA TRADE

AUCKLAND STEPPING IN.

The fact lhat Wellirigton is at a great disadvantage in regard to some aspects of trade with the Wairarapa, when compared with Auckland, is emphasised .in a report furnished to the Wellington branch of the Central Progress-;. League by the organising secretary, Mr. G. Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell recently met representative business men at Mastertbn, and in his report states that the' general impression left on him was that most goods could be landed cheaper in Masterton from Auckland than from Wellington, and that trade was gradually going to Auckland as a consequence. Auckland merchants were said to be more pushful and obliging, and that fact also influenced the position. ".One's civic pride and loyalty to the interests of the district are deeply touched when such things are brought to light," he says. "We have a- cheap port, and every opportunity to compete successfully with, others, and such, statements as these are the more surprising and disagreeable. I therefore deem it my duty to Bring these matters before your notice in order that some action may be taken. No business community, however wealthy, prosperous, and well satisfied, can afford to be independent, nor can we a« a community tSoti %r> lose ■ one shilling's worth of trade that should really come to Wellington as the shipping and commercial centre. The'progressive people of Masterton .and the Wairarapa generally complain that our city dwellers are cold and unresponsive to their constant call for ■ a closer and

more sympathetic co-operation.

"I am also informed that our alert Auckland merchants axe getting a hold down the Main Trunk line, even to the very ■confines of our city, but no direct evidence of this was submitted. The great fertile lands of the Wairarapa are, or should be, the garden of Wellington. This splendid stretch of country is only just over the range, yet it takes four hours to get there, and few of our city folk know of its extent and possibilities. It is the home of large landowners, where hundreds of small industrious farmers should reside. '

"The first and most urgent necessity is to bring this fertile country within close reach of our city by an up-to-date railway which does not climb the mountain. The second is the immediate closer settlement of the large estates in the district. Thirdly, I would respectfully suggest that a greater and more united effort be made by our Chambers of Commerce and business men, towarijs getting into closer personal touch with ' the districts served by Wellington as ■ a centre."