TOWN AND COUNTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20304, 11 July 1929, Page 12

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

NEED OF CO-OPERATION

COMMERCE CONFERENCE OPENS.

Emphasising the necessity lor greater co-operation between town and country, the president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, Mr. 11. T. Merrill, welcomed delegates from country chambers at the first conference of chambers of commerce in the Auckland Province, which opened in Auckland yesterday. Over 30 delegates were present. The conference, the first of its Kind to be held in New Zealand, was a logical succession to the successful tour of the commerce train last year, Mr. Merritt said. It was realised that a wider outlook was needed in the dealings between town and country, as the? welfare of both depended on a spirit of co-operation. The old spirit of rivalry was definitely on the wane, and town and country had to combine in the movement for national progress. • Mr. Merritt said there was vital need in New Zealand of reduction in taxation, which pressed just as hard on the farming community as it did on those in the e:itv engaged m secondary industries. The causes leading to exclusive taxation had to be discovered before 'any reduction could be obtained. Government trading was admirable in theory but in practice it had hardly proved successful. The laxpavers bad to bear the burden, and it was hoped that the pressure of public opinion would stop-any further Government ventures into business. Before the conference was officially opened in the afternoon, delegates were taken on a tour of various industrial establishments in the city. Many remits were considered at the. afternoon sitting, and in the evening delegates wero the guests of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce at Ilis Majesty s Theatre. Ibis morning Hie visitors will be taken on a sight-seeing trip round the city, mid will bo guests at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon before the resumption of the conference.