The Star. [Published Daily.] CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 4026, 31 August 1898, Page 2

The Star. [Published Daily.]

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

SECOND EDITION. WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 81, 1898.

The proceedings at the annual meeting of the Hawera Chamber of Commerce showed that a good deal of useful work had been done during the year, and the Chamber has quite justified its existence. In addition to the matters referred to in the report the committee might have taken a share of the credit in getting the railway freight reduced on coal. Success co far achieved will no doubt be an incentive to further effort, and it might prove of advantage if the committee this year made a thorough examination of the railway tariff and

its bearing on business. Just now the department is inclined to receive suggestions kindly, and anything which can be done to encourage traffic on the local railway line will be an advantage not only to this part of the district, but also to the port of Patea. It is noteworthy that Patea and Hawera are more anxious to work together now than at any previous time, and if the representaI tives of the business people of the two places combine it will be the better for both. Each can assist the otber to their mutual advantage ; and if the export trade can be developed as some speakers at Monday's meeting hoped the port of Patea will be very greatly helped. It certainly is most anomalous that a district like this does not produce more Bgticultural exports, and though tbere are difficulties in the way of competing with the South Island good must come of persevering effort to extend our trade. As to new local industries the retiring chairman is to be thanked for his suggestive address. We are not very confident about the beet sugar project. In Victoria experience has not been encouraging either to investors in the manufacturing compary, to the growers of beet roots, or to the State. The Government has advanced £50,000, very fine works have been erected, and yet the results financially have been poor. In explanation it has been said the works ! were put in an unsuitable district, that proper expert knowledge was not secured, and that the conditions have been particularly unfavorable owing to v the droughts of the past year or two. So that it does not necessarily follow that the discouraging results in Victoria would be repeated in New Zealand; but on the other hand the experience even in European States where money and labor are very cheap and heavy State bounties are given is not very inspiriting. However, the whole question will be looked into by the committee. The suggestion of a woollen factory has for its support the fact that it is an industry which has proved itself to be suitable to New Zealand and most successful wherever started, and the prospects of a local mill are well worthy of consideration. The Chamber will have the, hearty good wishes of the community in taking up these questions of developing the trade and production of the district, the benefit of which is not by any means confined to the town.