CHRISTCHUECH CHAMBEK OF COMMERCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7569, 21 May 1886, Page 3

CHRISTCHUECH CHAMBEK OF COMMERCE.

(Per United Pkess Association.)

Chkistchuech, May 20.

The quarterly meeting of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce was held for the first time in the new room, in the Australian Mutual Provident Society's buildings. The President, Mr G. G. Stead, gave an exhaustive address, in which he reviewed the work done by the Chamber since its foundation 27 years ago, and the trade of the world especially in connection with Great Britain and the Colonies as regarded wool and wheat. With regard to New Zealand, he said it was earnestly to be hoped that the Midland Eailway would shortly be commenced, as it should when completed prove of great service in stimulating and extending the production of gold. He concluded as follows : —" In spite, however, of the continued depression, and in spite of the persistently low range of prices that continue to rule in England, I still venture to predict that before the year 18SG--87 we shall have seen a decided change in the price of wheat from its present low level. Summarising the position, I think the period of acute depression and sharp suffering is: over, and that our trade has reached a sound though quiet stage; and I also trust, now that values have been readjusted and we have, so to speak, attuned ourselves to our altered circumstances, that we shall shortly be able to participate in the revival which is so generally expected by English and American financiers."