THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13683, 26 February 1908, Page 6

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The Auckland Chamber of Commerce is steadily increasing in popularity and influence, as was shown by the large attendance at the annual luncheon and meeting held yesterday. The retiring president, Mr. N. Alfred Nathan, covered in his address the various matters which during the year have engaged the attention of the Chamber, as well as those prominent evidences of progress noticeable in the city and province With this notable advance-

ment the Chamber of Commerce has been very closely associated, and has done much towards the organisation of the civic movement which is moulding Greater Auckland under our eyes. * As an independent body, composed of citizens who are directly interested in all that makes for the- industrial and commercial expansion upon which our permanent prosperity depends, the Chamber of Commerce has exerted a marked influence upon the formal and constituted authorities. In watching transit facilities, harbour accommodation, railway and road construction, mail .services, public buildings, trade questions, export and import problems, industrial and agricultural production, and every other phase of our commercial life, it has done a great work. The plea of the incoming president, Mr. L. J. Bagnall, for country roads, following upon the broad-spirited address of Mr. Nathan, shows that the Chamber has no narrow metropolitan view of its duties, but recognises -that the welfare of the country cannot be separated from the welfare of the city. This is the only logical attitude, and is entitled to more consideration from the public at large than it generally receives. In complimenting the Chamber upon its growing influence it is well to remember that this is due mainly to the patient and voluntary work of its officers, who have entirely earned the hearty vote of thanks which was accorded them at yesterday's meeting. . ■