VISIT TO CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14829, 21 November 1913, Page 13

VISIT TO CHRISTCHURCH.

ADDRESS TO BUSINESS MEX

The members of the Special Commission, representing the great Panama Exposition, arrived in Christchurch. yesterday afternoon by the first express from the south. The Commission consists of ex-Governor Alva Adams, of Colorado, and Commissioner-General of the Panama-Pacific Exposition. Majors A. Cloman. of the United States Army, who has charge of tho military department of the Exposition, Sir O'Neill Sevier, and Mr T. G. Stallsmith, Mesdames Adams, Cioman and Stallsmith are also of the party.

The Commission is travelling under tho guidance of Mr E. Clifton, representing tbe New. Zealand Government, and tho party were met at the Christchurch railway station by several members of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, including Messrs Hill Fisher, A. Kaye, and F. Graham, who gave the visitors a warm welcome to Canterbury.

Tho members of the Coniinissiou wexo entertained to dinner at tho Canterbury Club, and later on met and addressed the business men of Christohiirch at tho Chamber ol" Commerce To-day it is intended to invite the visitors to attend a. mayoral reception at 10 o'clock, and to entertain them to lunch at tho club, the party leaving by ooat for Wellington this evening. EX-GOVERNQE, ADAMS SPEAKS. Hushed as he wasj ex-Governor Adams kindly spared exuno of his valuable time for tho purpose of informing a reporter of "The Press" of the aims and objects of the Commission. "I don't know how it is here/ , lie remarked, "but wo always find it pays us to have the pressmen in on the scene in America. Wβ need all tho publicity we can get so as to educate the people, and gee them interested in tho imposition, wnich will bo one of tho biggest things of its kind tho world lias ever seen. The- Exposition will show in a concise .and condensed form the progress that has taken place in tho world duriug the last 100 years, and it irill bo a memorablo event in every way. This Commission is s. unique thing in ite way, and the United States Government has never sent out such a body before. Ifc is a mission of exploitation, and our aim and object is to lay before tho Governments and the business people of tho Australasian colonies the reasons why they should support tho Exposition by sending along exhibits. It will bo a remarkable opportunity for New Zealand to advertise itself, and advertisement is needed because a very largo proportion of Americans know as much or New Zealand as New Zealanders know about Colorado and Utah, which is probably very little. When I say that Americans are ignorant of New Zoaiand, I refer more particularly to tlte actual conditions of life in the country, and its physical characteristics, but a. Very largo number of Americans take the keenest interest in the legislative experiments, which you have carried out here, and in some cases the United States i has borrowed notions from Australasia and found them good." "You have not borrowed universal suffrage yet, havo you?" asked the reporter. "We have had it in Colorado for over twenty years," was tho reply, "but that is still a State measure in America. That is to say, some States havo it and some not. . Personally, I am a strong supporter of tho voto for women. At first I had my doubts about its wisdom, but in a long life politically, I havo come to tho conclusion that it is a good thing, and I have heard no valid arguments against it. _ It seems to mc that it is a matter of justico, expediency, and moral itv." INDUCEMENTS FOR THE COLONIES. Mr Alvft Adams, who, by tho way, is a personal friend of President Wilson and Mr W. J. Bryan, Secretary of State, explained that he and his fellowdelegates wore here to extend a hearty welcome to all New Zealanders who could be present at the Exposition and to exhibit there., It would Dβ mutually beneficial, although probably even if Australasia decided not to_, it would not really affect the Exposition materially. Already from all parts of tho world applications for spaco had been received, and not one-fifth of ihe spaco applied for could bo given. Great Britain had declined to exhibit, or at loaet the Government had, but tho merchnnts and business men had responded splendidly, and there was no doubt that Great Britain would be represented with a magnificent exhibit. This was as it should be, for,- after all, it was not America that would benefit most by tho Panama Canal. It was a fact that tho United States, although ithad a great coasCal trade, had only twelve ships engaged in overseas commerce, whereas Great Britain had 11,000 and Germany -oOCOj whilo Japun Jiad 500, and it would bo seen that the country with the most sea-borne commerco would benefit largely from tho increased facilities offered by the Canal. Tho Canal would also mean a lot to- Australia and New' Zealand, who would be brought nearer to a large population, ready to receive their goods and pay well for them. • ■"We have vith us," said Governor Alva Adams, "Major Cloman, who is one of the most distinguished 'of the younger officers of the United States Army. He is a West Pointer, and lias seen much active service In the Philippines, as well as service of a diplomatic and administrative character elsewhere. Ho is very interested in the splendid system of universal milir tary training established in Australasia, and he is keen to arrange for a body, of /Australian and New Zealand citiaon soldiers to visit the Exposition. It is also hoped that the Australian Navy will be" able t-o attend the celebrations, for them will be a bip naval demonstration. I believe it is intended that tho Unit*Yl States . fleet will assemble at Fort Mntiroe, where the big navy yards are situated, and wijl cross to "the Canal, steaminc: through'it in state to the western end. where it could meet the Australian Fleet', should that be sent. But don't forrjet wo want a reetment of your Now Zealand citizen soldiers: they would be a great attraction, and the peonlr over our side would give them a good time. "What do I think of New Zealand so far as I have seen? Well I think it is beautiful. Tt is all so green ond fertile looking: peopte tell mo the wrath?* i* not as sood as if should bo. but T don't sef> rrry much to complain of; anyway, T"m not complaining."