THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 3677, 1 March 1899, Page 4

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The subjects dealt with in the annual report to be submitted to the Chamber cf Commerce at its meeting on Tuesday nest are many and important; and if tho Chamber resolves upon vigorous action in connection with some of the* matters, much good may be accomplished. Such questions as the North Island Trunk Railway route, the Rimutaka deviation and the straightening of the line to Petone are matters upon which the Chamber’s opinions are entitled to considerable weight. It? is pleasing to find reference to the present clumsy and inconvenient method of selling railway tickets; but unsatisfactory to have such an infinitesimal reform proposed as the continuous sale at the railway station. There is no sound reason why railway tickets should not bo on sale, like postage stamps, at certain places throughout the city. This is clone in other countries, without difficulty, and .proves a great public convenience. Railway tickets, too, might .well bo made transferable, and the time limit for which they are available might with advantage bo abolished, or at any rate their currency might he extended to a year. Wo should like to see the Chamber of Commerce make the attempt to instil sound business principles into the Railway Department.' There may be room to. doubt the wisdom of the graving dock policy which is commended in the report, but none whatever in the matter of tho “gross insufficiency” of certain public buildings in Wellington, notably the Courthouses, Customhouse and Post Office. It is disappointing to find no reference to tho clamant need for a new, central and united railway* station for Wellington; but it is to be hoped that tho meeting will supply this omission by resolving to make strong representations to tho Government on the subject. As regards tho .Vancouver mail service, tho regrets of the council of the Chamber appear premature in view of tho Premier's reported statement that no definite agreement has yet been arrived at, diverting the .steamers from this colony. However, wo incline to the view that the trial given to the service has proved that there is no likelihood of a trade developing between this country and British Columbia,, and that consequently it is inadvisable for onr Government o continue to subsidise the lino. The Chamber may be able to advance reasons for the continuance of the service: and while on the subject of steamboat communication it ought to express an opinion upon the proposed swift timetable service between Wellington and Lyttollton, regarding, which a Parliamentary Committee made a favourable report last session. It is a subject-that closely concerns the commercial community, and one upon which it is desirable that tho wants and wishes of traders should be made known through tho medium l of their representative Chamber. There is no lack of material for an interesting and instructive meeting on Tuesday next, and it is to he hoped there will be a large attendance, and that a keen interest will be manifested in the proceedings. '