CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPORT.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 August 1930, Page 10

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPORT.

While there is no outstanding feature in the report of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce for* the year that is past, it shows that the organisation is vigilant in looking after the interests of the commercial, portion of the community and that at the same time it i? just as eager to foster any work or policy that may make for the welfare of the district, even though it is not directly related to matters of trading or manufacture. Unfortunately economic conditions have suspended the-, successful issue of two of the efforts made by the chamber in recent years. The first is that of public schoolboy immigration, the results of ' which have been so eminently satisfactory. Owing to the general policy of restricting immigration, in itself very questionable wisdom so far as the future of the Dominion is concerned, the public schoolboy migration’ has been suspended, and until economic conditions improve there seems little likelihood of its resuscitation. The. second effort of the chamber that has been brought to nought by outside influences is that associated with the short-lived ' night passenger train service between New Plymouth and Wellington. The experiment of running such trains was tried for a few months, and though they had not reached a paying stage there was promise of increased traffic as time went on. But the serious condition of railway finances necessitated the application of drastic economies forthwith, and the Taranaki night service has therefore been withdrawn. It is satisfactory to note that .. local railway officials have shown an earnest desire to assist the trading community and the public generally, and that they have recognised the value of co-operation with an organisation that represents all sections of the community. Such methods will help to bring about the increase in railway traffic and revenue which is so eminently desirable. It is satisfactory also that the chamber has been able to give assistance to the settlers -in the hinterland of the province in regard to the opening of new arterial roads. There is reason to hope that some advance in this direction will be made in the near future, and the value of co-operation between town and country representatives has been o'nee more demonstrated. The one unsatisfactory note in the report is the apparent indifference of many traders and manufacturers to the work of the chamber. Its. membership docs not show the progressive increase that the growth of the town of New Plymoutk warrants, and it is to be hoped a fuller recognition of the value of such organised effort as is only possible by properly constituted institutions will oe forthcoming and that younger members of the mercantile community will take their share in the work to which the chamber of commerce is applying itself.