THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE PROVINCIAL DISTRICT.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 168, 4 September 1886, Page 2

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE PROVINCIAL DISTRICT.

The following correspondence between the Editor of the Cambridge [News and the Chairman of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, is interesting and important :—: — Cambridge, August 18, 1886.— Dear Sir ; Having received and read your address to (he Chamber of Commerce on July 15, I write to say that your references to railway reform have especially commended themselves to Waikato people, who regard this as a most impoitant element in the future progress of the colony. Our Railway league hopes to receive the political sympathy of your Chamber in trying to force down railway freights and fares, as the present scale undoubtedly retards settlement and progress. My special reason, however, in writing is to ask if some method cannot be devised by ■which the Auckland Chamber can be made wider reaching in its operations than at present Now, it represents almost exclusively the city. Could it not be made to represent the province generally, so that we might be able to secure the the ce-opera and influence of the city on railway reform, settlement of the land, and cognate questions? Under the provincial system town and country were united in one provincial whole ; now we miss the connection, and I cannot see what will supply it unless it be the Chamber of Commerce and kindred institutions. The effect is that no common purpose unites Auckland and its outlying parts, whilst the County system makes those outlying parts units without a common meeting point. As an illustration I may point out that road connection between Tauranga and' Waikato, and such important works, have to depend almost entirely upon the political ' influence of the*member for Taurauga, and what he can get. There are many similar cases both in this province and others I know, in which important works are left undone because of a lack of sufficient interest by adjacent counties in them. ' Such works partake more of a i district or provincial than of a colonial character, yet the district itself through which the road passes is too poor to do the work, and had too little influence to secure Parliamentary grants. I hare thought it desirable to lay this suggestion before you, so that if possible some means might be devised by which town and country could be drawn close together, and we might secure the aid of the political strength of Auckland. — I am, etc., G. W. Russell. Graves Aicken, Esq., Auckland. Auckland, August 24, 1886. JDeaj' Sir, — As you will see by the accompanying letter, yours of the 18th was considered by the committee of the Chamber yesterday. I fully concur in your views as to the total lack of some bond of union to join in sympathy the interests of town and country. It is without doubt that the life spring of the town's commerce must be looked for in the prosperity of the provincial district

and therefore, it is clearly the duty of the Chamber to foster and assist our friends—the country settlers. 1 shall try to evolve some plan of united work, and acquaint you with it. — I am, &c, G. Aickin. G.W. Russell, Esq., Cambridge. Chamber of Commerce, Auckland, August 23, 1886. Dear sir.— l am desired to acknowledge receipt'of your letter o£ the 18th instant,' addressed to j Mr Graves Aickin, and to state in reply ' } that a sub-committee (Messrs Aickin; and John Reid) have been appointed to consider the matter, and devise a scheme to promote a closer intercourse between tlie^ commercial body of Auckland and the country settlers. The subject will be brought before the members at the quarterly general meeting, to be held early in October next.— l am, &c , E. Menzies, Secretary. G. W. Russell, Esq., Waikato News, Waikato.