The Gisborne Times. THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 1908. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 1908. A GISBORNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2226, 25 June 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 1908. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 1908. A GISBORNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

•Judging by the, expression of opinion, that are published in this issue it is very evident that the time is quite ripe for the establishment of a Chamber of Commerce for this town and district. The feeling in mercantile circles as well as amongst shop-keepers-is so unanimous on the point that we feel sure it is only necessary for some one to convene-a meeting to obtain a thoroughly gratifying response. The timo has long since gono by l'or the advocacy of such an organisation. As we have pointed out on numerous occasions Gisborneites are compelled to accept treatment from tlie Government and from private companies, which is extremely prejudicial to tlie town and district simply because there 'is no organisation in existenco which can nuthoritively speak for the citizens. Gisborno -lias now reached a. stage in its development wliero it is entitled to rank with the most important towns of the iDominion outside the four centres, and its public men should lose no opportunity to assort that position. It is to he hoped that some of tiro gentlemen who so fully appreciate tho. benefits derivablo to the district by the formation of a Jive Chamber of Comniofice will convene a meeting in order to put the matter on a definite footing.

cos aro maintained; tlio old. ,vicious system is continued jand noitihor Ministers nor anybody else appear to worry .much about it. Does the Treasur- J er himsolf know how many temporary 7 dorks liavo their salarios paid out of loan moneys'? And does he care? Through the monstrous system which allows a largo part of our working oxpensos to be paid out of the Public Works Fund—that is to say, out of capital—tlio country is steadily making lee-way to an extent which nobody is ablo to measuro, while its conscience is salved by periodical proclamations of tlio large sums which aro transferred from rovonuo to capital account. In no sound business concern would such a rotten system bo toloratod for a moment, but as long ns the country is prepared to stand it, this wonderful reform Ministry of ours seems preparod to stand it too. If moro Government candidates were of Air. Short’s way of thinking, some reform might ho reasonably expected. That the cost of administration could be enormously reduced without impairing the efficiency <>t the service, is certain, hut to what extent this reduction can he carried until some commission of experts has been appointed to overhaul the whole system of book-keeping and of administration generally is not known. Tlic-rc-sult of such an enquiry would, we believe, amaze the country; and by the timo .we had got to bcd r roek it would bo a comparatively easy matter to recast the whole system on securo and lion-political' foundations. How many liberal candidates are preparod to carry thein Liberalism as far as this ?