The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY MARCH 23, 1911.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3176, 23 March 1911, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY MARCH 23, 1911.

Chamber of Commerce Dinner.

As was anticipated, tlie Chamber of Commerce dinner last night proved a most enjoyable function. JP’ No doubt the presence mi two such prominent men in public ■life as the Hon. R. McKenzie (Minister for Public Works) and His Honor Mr. Justice Cliapman contributed .largely to this happy result. It is well known that over a considerable period not a great deal of interest was manifested in this useful institution. More thjui once, it will be recalled, it almost passed out of existence; but, to-day, even if the total number of members be not larger than at any former period, its efforts certainly show signs of much greater activity, and its great value is now much more fully recognised. It will now be a matter for regret, we feel, if, ere long, the Chamber does not experience a striking increase of membership, for, as was emphasised by the two distinguished guests at the function last night, a total of -12 members can only be regarded as far below the number of town and country residents who could through this institution do a great deal to further this important district. Upon this occasion it would be impossible to refer to all tlie excellent speeches that were made last night. Of tlie national questions touched upon, that of defence was, of course, the most important. It will be seen from the remarks made by the Hon. R. McKenzie that it is now considered that the time has arrived when this as well as other portions of the oversea dominions should do still more in this direction. As he put it, when the necessity for keeping the trade routes clear both in times Of war and times of peace is taken into consideration, the colonies can well afford to pay a great deal more in the way of defence than they are at present doing. On the question of the policing of the seas, His Honor Mr. Justice Chapman also made some interesting remarks, in the course of which lie showed how much the whole world is indebted to Britain for her efforts in eradicating piracy, and so making the highways of the world safe for traffic. No doubt His Honor’s references to the proud position which Poverty Bay occupies in regard to tlie work of the colonisation of the Pacific will also be read with the greatest interest, as will his utterances on the steps which are being taken in New Zealand to solve the great problem of how to reform the criminal. As regards district affairs, the Government’s intentions as outlined by Mr. McKenzie will be bailed with much satisfaction. It has long been the subject of comment by visitors as well as by residents that so little has been done by the Government to develop this splendid district. Now, according to Mr. McKenzie, tlie Government intend to devote special attention to this part of the Dominion, and as undertakings in hand in other districts are completed, the work of further development will be proceeded with on the East Coast. The isolation of Poverty Bay will, he ayers, soon be a thing of the past. Tt is, indeed, pleasing, even after such a weary wait, to know that the Government is at last able to announce some of tlie more important works affecting this district which it has decided to put in hand without undue delay. With the Main Trunk line northwards through to Wa'ihi, and the southern arterial connection made with Napier, within, say, the next decade, the Coast will, doubtless, continue to develop at even a greater rate than at present. As feeders for these lines, other branches will in time lie found necessary, and in addition there will yet be required very many additional roads, together with further bridges. Mr. McKenzie, it will also be seen, spoke with, much vigor on tlie need for additional population on the Coast. He had, he said, seen much unimproved land which ought to be in occupation, but apparently he was unaware until it was pointed out to him at the function that most of it is Native land. If the Minister will now give his support towards proposals under which these lands will be profitably settled, his trip will indeed be of even greater advantage to this part of the Dominion. With reference to local matters, there are also one or two matters to which attention might be drawn. No one, we feel, could possibly disagree with His Worship the Mayor when he declared that every care should be taken to see that full value is obtained for every penny expended. No safer basis could be taken, and if the future policy of the various public bodies is framed on these lines, it will certainly be a matter for hearty congratulation. Another matter which is worthy of special consideration is a proposal which was made by Mr. W. L. Rees, that no stone should be left unturned to arouse greater interest in the true development of the district, and above all unity of aim on the part of the various

local bodies so far as local requirements are concerned. It should m men Honed that Mr. MacDonald, M.P., ™ the recipient of a number of well-de-served compliments in the course of the function in connection with his untiring efforts on behalf of his constituents