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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 76

[Extents of Trade and Commerce]

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An interesting address on the "Extents of Trade and Commerce" was read by Mr John Holmes before the Conference of Chambers of Commerce last week, as follows:—

In accepting the responsible task of stealing in a short paper with such an important subject as the Expansion of our Trade and Commerce, I am reminded of Bancroft's words, when he says, "Commerce defies every wind, outrides every tempest, and invades every zone." I therefore approach the subject with considerable hesitation, knowing how inadequate my efforts will be to do justice to it.

We meet to-day under the gloom of a great and terrible war still raging in south Africa. Its continuance and uncertainty must be matters of the gravest concern to our Imperial statesmen, as well as to every Government in his Majesty's possessions beyond the seas, There are none less anxious to see a greedy and satisfactory termination of this bloody conflict than the people of this colony, who, through the Right Hon. B. J. Seddon, have shown to Britain and the world at large that their sympathies are not mere idle words, but deeds of section What more striking illustration of the bond of true sympathy could be found than in the ready and magnificent response to the Empire's call as exhibited by Canada, Australia and New Zealand. When the history of this struggle comes to be written, and future orators speak with powerful eloquence upon the present crisis, they will all bear testimony to the fact that not only did the blood of England, of Ireland and of Scotland, but also that of the colonies, flow in the same battlefields to uphold the right and give freedom to Britain's sons in South Africa. From this, the most distant of his Majesty's dominions, we have just sent forward the Surrey with 500 men, and the balance will, within a few days, complete the 8th Contingent of over 1000 strong. This is already supplemented by a further 1000 men now in readiness to embark for the 9th Contingent, reprinting a total of over 5000 officers and men, with nearly 6000 horses, which New Zealand has, from its limited population, contributed to the South African campaign. Who, therefore, can deny that this colony has done its share to uphold the Empire?

This is neither the time nor the place to express any opinion as to the causes which led to the great sacrifices of human page 2 life and suffering, but there can be no doubt that England did everything that was possible to avert the disaster. We were forced into the conflict, and true to our British instincts, we are now standing shoulder to shoulder to maintain that freedom of government which is always to be found in every clime wherever the Union Jack is supreme.

In dealing with the question of the extension of our Trade and Commerce, which we are to-day considering, I have first of all to congratulate the council of this Chamber upon the excellence of its arrangements in the varied and interesting subjects tabled for discussion, the ventilation of which in a true and friendly spirit, cannot fail to be of great and permanent benefit to this colony.