Chamber of Commerce.

Hastings Standard, Volume III, Issue 865, 8 March 1899, Page 3

Chamber of Commerce.

[By Telegraph.] Wellington, Tuesday. At the annual metung of tbe Wellingington Chamber of Commerce to-day, in addition to the epitome already published, the chairman said the year closed on the 80th September with a record as regards the exports of the colony. Referring to defence, he said the colony to an extent was provided for in 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 efficien volunteer force. It was their duty to insist on the volunteer force teing kept constantly in a high state of efficiency; 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 Lac'hman referred to the unprotected state ofWestport. The balancesheet, which'showed a small credit, along with the report was adopted. The Vancouver mail service was discussed, the speakers urging its retention and the benefits to be derived from entering into a reciprocal agreement with Canada. Ultimately a motion was carried, that the chamber, as a representative of other chambers of the colony, represent to the Government the necessity of taking steps to prevent the Vancouver service being lost to New Zealand.