AUCKLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 907, 19 July 1889, Page 11

AUCKLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. ) Auckland, July 16. The annual meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce was held to-day. The report dealt, as usual, with the various matters which had engaged the attention of the Chamber during the yaar. The continuance of the San Francisco mail service was advocated, as well as a reduction of railway freights, and a settlement of pensioners on land. It was pointed out that there had been a decrease in the amount of gold entered for exportation, and unless steps were taken to develop the levels below 640 ft the yield might be even less in succeeding years. The returns of trade with the Pacific Islands showed good results. Upon comparing the results for the last two years throughout the Colony, the most remarkable feature was the increase in exports. In the course of his annual address, the President (Captain Colbeck) said the Colony was on the eve of brighter days. Having condemned the borrowing policy as the cause of the depression, he mentioned the signs of returning prosperity in the improvements in corn, 1 flax, wool, mutton, gum, and other industries. He hoped that the Government would afford facilities for the acquisition of land, so that the number of those occupied in gum-digging would be lessened. There were many indications that the iron industry would gain a foothold in this country ere long. Captain Colbeck urged the Chamber to help the work of retrenchment, immigration, settlement of Crown lands, and simplification and improvement of laws, whilst giving assistance to young industries. Captain Colbeck was reelected President. Suggestions were made that the committee during the ensuing term should consider the question of taxation, and also that of opening trade with South America and South Africa.