THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 1894.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9628, 28 September 1894, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 1894.

At the conclusion of the quarterly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday, some conversation took place which we hope will lead to a more energetic conduct of business, and the acquirement of greater influence by that body. Several members thought that more frequent meetings should be held, especially during the sitting of Parliament, so that opportunity might be given to express opinions on mea-

sures before the Legislature. Also, that

notice should be given of the subjects to be discussed, so that members might be prepared to speak on them. The answer was, that the Chairman and Committee of the Chamber would be

i delighted to give all facilities, but that | in th« past it had been found difficult (to get a sufficient number to attend.

This has undoubtedly been the case, and to some extent the same failure lias attended all the Chambers of Commerce in the colony. The natural and inevitable result has been that they have lost political influence, and this has been marked by the Premier deriding them in the House of Representatives as bodies not worth paying the slightest attention to. It has also resulted from this position into which the Chambers of Commerce have allowed themselves to fall, that the political power which they ought to exercise has passed into other hands, into the hands of men who have no permanent interest in the colony. The Chambers of Commerce of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin ought to be the most influential bodies in the colony. They should comprise all the merchants and tradesmen, and should be representative of the opinion of those who know how trade and commerce; will be affected by any measure before the House. Their members will almost necessarily be' men who are permanently interested in the colony, and who will endeavour to secure its enduring welfare and safety. Bub we have seen the Premier put the resolutions of Chambers of Commerce on a commercial subject contemptuously aside while being guided in legislation by men who knew nothing as to the effects of the measure. The members of the Chamber of Commerce ought to make themselves heard on important political questions, and they ought to endeavour to follow up their opinions by political action. Nobody can fancy that even the Premier considers an expression of opinion by a Chamber of Commerce on a political measure which is at the same time a question of business as being worthless as compared to an expression from a body of men who have no knowledge on the subject. But then, he knows that the latter can influence most votes, while probably the members of the Chamber of Commerce take no active interest in politics. The whole duty of a Ministry is to keep in office, and to distribute the spoils to its friends. The soundest and best opinion is worth nothing if it does not tend in the direction of serving the purpose of the moment.

Mr. A. H. Nathan, the new chairman of our Chamber of Commerce, gave yesterday a very able and business-like address on the past quarter. He referred to the depression and its causes, and also showed that there was reason to anticipate a better condition of business in the near future. Speaking of the Advances to Settlers Bill now before Parliament, he said that, looking at it as commercial men, they could have no hesitation in saying that it would not pay. He concluded by moving a resolution condemning the measure, which, although coming rather late, will, we hope, have some effect in inducing the Legislative Council to throw out the Bill. Resolutions were also carried urging that the Government should do something in the way of road-making in the North, and should also forward communication with Taranaki by railway. When one considers what is being done for road-making in the North, where for many years there have been thousands of settlers, and contrasts it with the pet speculation of Ministers in the Cheviot estate, where the cost of establishing every settler has been about £820, chiefly in roads and bridges, it is clear that we have not received justice.

For the hindrances that have lately been enacted to trade and commerce, for the socialist legislation that is now on the Statute Book, for compulsory taking of land by the State, for compulsory arbitration, when only one side can be compelled, for compulsory shopclosing, for compulsion in half-a-dozen different ways, which are driving trade and capital and population from the colony, the apathy of certain classes is greatly to blame. It is a hopeful symptom of reviving activity to see greater interest manifested in our Chamber of Commerce.