The Timaru Herald WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1907. THE CHAMBER OF eCOMMERCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XC, Issue 13274, 1 May 1907, Page 4

The Timaru Herald WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1907. THE CHAMBER OF eCOMMERCE.

It is gratifying to find that results have justified; the optimistic anticipations which ■were expressed'regarding the probable usefulness of a Chamber of Commerce for South Canterbury. The only , note of •regret which was heard at the first annual meeting last night was! tlia complaint that the members of the business community had not been sufficiently alive to their own interests and to the advantages offered by the Chamber, to give it the influence of numbers which, ought to We have little doubt, however, that the cause for. that complaint will disappear in time, and 'that the new organisation; which has been so well set upon its feet'suring the first year of its existence, will not be allowed to languish for want of support. As far as its 'record-, of achievement is concerned, it is likely enough thai the work of the Chamber has not suft'ered- from the fact that its membership lias been comparatively, limited. The actual work of all such bodies as Chambers of Commerce has a. knack of falling lipon, few shoulifcrs, and as our report of last night's gathering will show, it has fallen in this. particular instance upon energetic and capable members. Their jiroceedings during,the'ypar have not erred in .iulie direction of of publicity, so that most of our readeis vill no 'doubt be surprised to learn what a volume of business has b;en got through, and- the number of subjects that hav&ireceived consideration since the ' Chamber, yas established. The annual report, and -pie president's, addr.ess, give a :compreheuave review of what has been attempted, Mid what measure of success has'been achieved, so that there is nothing to be gained from covering that ground again.- I-t is P-p l * sant, however, to have the authoritative assurance given by Mr Newman that-pin spite of the exceptional handicaps to winch South Canterbury was subjected this Reason, business has been maintained on a sound and profitable basis. The long Eun of prosperous years through which we have passed ought to have fortified the district against the visitation with which it was threatened until a couple of moritjis ao-o, but one of the usual effects of a cy<!le 4 \ of prosperity is to encourage a spirit uf speculation which may easily end in financial embarrassment or commercial panic when the weather or other circumstances belia expectation. Fortunately we hare been spared this undesirable experience, for the figures quoted from the ActingPremier's recent 'Speech at Little River show a substantial increase for the trading year in the value of the colony's leading exports. It will be just as well, however, if the half-taught lesson of last' season

is taken to heart, for as Mr Newman pointed out, adverse* seasons are not impossible, ancl it .will be too late tr< lament thriftlessness when this time of trial is upon us. This does not, of course, mean that prudence is to take the shape of stagnation, either for the individual, or for the town, or for the district. There is still plenty of scope for the enterprise which is being manifested by private traders, and by our local authorities,, and we share. Mr Newman's hope that, the Chamber of Commerce which has safely negotiated its first year of Existence, will be an appreciative facto}- in promoting the expansion and-prosperity of Timnru and of South Canterbury. . We are specially glad to notice his refereilces to (the necessity of .establishing industries -in this locality, if Tiifiaru is ever to step into a position of importance among the centres of the colony. Before that 'can. come about, the <;own will require to be something more than a, distributing base, and the Chamber will deserve well of the public if it can hasten the advent of Mr Newman's ideal '1 ' ° when our staple manufactures will be labelled " Made in Timaru."