A BUSINESSMEN’S PARLIAMENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 793, 14 October 1929, Page 8

A BUSINESSMEN’S PARLIAMENT

THE conference of New Zealand Chambers of Commerce may almost be regarded as a business men’s parliament. For though, in discussing- questions of national importance, the delegates to the conference which opened here today lack executive authority, from such conferences have come many impulses later translated into effective and beneficial legislation. In their own way the Chambers of Commerce occupy a peculiar yet important place in the national scheme. Though formed primarily to guard business interests they in practice direct their attention upon affairs of general and not sectional interest. Perhaps the* fact is that the business interests which it is their primary function to watch are comprehensive and embracing in their range. These concerns are not merely matters of complex tariffs, freight statistics, and the volume of trade as revealed in the’ arid, columns of ledgers. Beyond the margins of profit and loss columns they extend to all the methods by which cities may he made more attractive and their communities more prosperous and happy. It is interesting to consider the vigorous growth of the Chamber of Commerce movement. Such an institution is said to have existed in the Mediterranean seaport of Marseilles nearly 400 years ago. The urge that leads merchants to organise for the protection and advancement of their interests is thus no modern growth. f There is no need for the citation of any other historical statistics to separate the Chamber of Commerce movement from the notion that such things are merely an outgrowth of modern business methods. If all the reforms originated by these bodies in New Zealand, first discussed in their councils and given practical application through their support, could he traced hack through their history and recorded in precise terms, the scroll of achievement would he an impressive document. In local as well as in national affairs the councils of business men have been powerful agents in favour of effective government. A glance at the subjects to be discussed during the present conference shows the embracing character of the work that is attempted. These conferences bring business men from all parts of the Dominion together, and in achieving that alone they must be effective in creating an understanding between widely-separated territories. Tn the discussion of the forty or so remits there may he new and important aspects of each problem brought to light. Welcoming the visiting delegates as guests of the city, Auckland will hope that practical success and cordiality may attend upon their transactions.