TARANAKI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 219, 10 November 1900, Page 3

TARANAKI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

- Hk general meeting »f the Ohambai of Coaunerce, bad bean post' \ poned from the previous Friday to en able Mr. Bellri ~ger to be present, wai / held en TharacLy, Mr. J. B, Connet presiding. ... A commnnieation from the Fata Eo the train seiTio month and Patea wa uncil. the Canterbury am ire stating that a Geo held at Ghristchnrc neation ef feder&tie e read, discussed, an :uncil with an expre; 7 the Chamber that appointed. n Chamber wro< 'on in securing tl • for the Victor 1 as decided to rep did net possess euf adge to express : ■\ suit bio site for tl : ion cf Mr. Ab. Go] ed that the rUilw requested to attnon ■ .ins en the flawsi . f g«i ?h*ft »h>i 8»»

way Department should again hav [their attention called to the neceesifr of having more assistance at the good shed which was jammed with cargi while people were waiting for theii goods. Mr. Ab. Goldwater strongly seconded the proposal, and it was do cided to press the matter on the atten tion of th Department. At the Chairman's invitation, Mr Bellringer, who was warmly received, gave a short address. He said he wac surprised how little was known at Heme, of New Zealand. Many persons he came acrois had hardly heard of it and others looked on it as part of Australia. He thought that probably this ignorance arose from the want of the colony being properly advertised, in seme such way as the popular holiday resorts of England, Scotland, and Wains, were advertised in Bailway carriages and at stations, by views of the scenery. As to the Hew Zealand butter, there was no , doubt a prejudice existed against it, either it was too highly coloured or something else. The same prejudice applied to meat, only it was aggravated by the rough way it was handled at the London Central Meat Market at Smithfield, and also frequently by its being sold in the same shops as vegetables. At Blackpool, where a company was running New Zealand mutton, and where there were more shops for its sale than elsewhere, it was labelled as "Canterbury," with the intention of misleading customers, who ealy new of Canterbury as in Kent. People at Home did not believe in New Zealand meat, but if their prejudice eould be overcome they would soon see the advantage ef getting three pounds of colonial for the price of two of English meat. No doubt there were difficulties ta be overeom'e in solving the defrosting problem, in displaying the meat in a more cleanly and tempting manner, and in securing regularity of shipments. He was particularly struck with the absence of anything in the AgentGeneral's office to indicate the productions ef the colony, and at the Impciral Institute he was much surprised to find that the New Zealand exhibits were relegated to a space of about 10ft. square, and consisted of a small sample of flax, a few pieces of [wood, and a bundle of wool. He had seen nothing that indicated that any steps were being taken to push the colony on. Messrs. Samuel, Webster, and Newman made a few remarks, and Mr, Kerr proposed a hearty vote ef thanks to Mr. Bellringer. The Chairman, in putting the motion, referred to the fact that the riohtst butter in Devonshire was highly coloured and yet fetched the best prise. He thought that the Agent-General did not help the commerce of the colony, and that a thoroughly straightforward energetic business man would do far more gcod. The vote of thanks was carried with acclamation.

The usual compliment to tha Chairman, terminated a very interesting meeting. [We regret that pressure oh our space compels the omission ef many other interesting remarks that were made.—Bd.]