The Timaru Herald THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1911. GUARDIANS OF COMMERCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14457, 1 June 1911, Page 4

The Timaru Herald THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1911. GUARDIANS OF COMMERCE.

The annual report which we published yesterday, and the address of the President, Mr Cray, which wfe publish to-day, afford further evidence of the excellent work which the Chamber of Commerce is doing for Soutli Canterbury. 'A' "vigilant eye is ltept on tiie commercial tendencies of the district, and suggestions for removing' disabilities of producers, shippers, and others, and for promoting the most advantageous conduct of the"' district's industries, liave been made from time to time, often with good result. The scheme which has been formulated by the Chamber for the improved collection of the 'Agricultural Department's grain statistics, which are only misleading at the present time, is one that should be adopted by the Minister without unnecessary delay. The scheme has been approved by all the other Chambers of Commerce in the Dominion, and it is difficult to understand how Hie Government can be content to allow these statistics, -\vliicli should be of great value to the fanners, to remain the by-word which they have been for years past. The injustice of the differential rates for frozen million as between (Janinru ■ and Timaru ■-Mid Uaniaru and I'ort Chalmers

lius lii' Cii repeatedly enforced on Mr MilJur, (uid iv<; it will Ij<! remedied before. the election, UK another injustice, the absence, of facilities for the speedy (riiimport of li.sli" lo (■hrislrhurqh, at length 1)i.(1,s fair lo 1)0. It is sulisfaetoj'.y to learn thai, Ilianhs to the efforts of the Chamber, there is a prospect of a monthly, instead of a bi-monthly (service of tlie London steamers being; established with this port, to reduce the inconvenience of . transhipments. and at least a possibility, which wo hope will soon be something more, of the erection of proper cargo sheds to facilitate the despatch of inward cargo. During the past year, it is good to note, the trade and commerce of South Canterbury have maintained a highly satisfactory standard, and in some respects have exceeded < all previous records. The Interesting figures quoted by Mr Cray last night, which we publish' in another column. fully justify the opinion which was expressed by him, that "it is reasonably certain that the general prosperity of the district is well established, and that steady progress may be relied