EMPIRE PROGRESS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1785, 25 June 1913, Page 7

EMPIRE PROGRESS.

NEW ZEALAND'S PART. EX-HIGH COMMISSIONER'S VIEWS. TRADE & IMMIGRATION. Sir Win. Hall-Jones was yesterday the guest of tho New Zealand Club at luncheon. Mr. A. E. Atkinson presided, and- there wero some 200 members present. The chairman said it gave him great pleasure to welcome, back their ex-High Commissioner, Sir Win. Hail-Jones. Sir William, by his official residence in london, had had a university education in Imperial politics, and it was only 'right that the citizens of Now Zealand should hear of his experiences. Sir William Hall-Jones was establishing a precedent which tho speaker hoped would be carried out to a greater extent in the future. Sir Wm. Hall-Jones was cordially receivod on. rising, lie was delighted, lie said, to find a club quito free from party spirit. Referring to tho presentation ot the Dreadnought, ho said that unless one had been Homo one could not realise the enthusiasm such a gift aroused. A young country like this jiad many diuiculties to face, but they willingly took upon themselves the liability of ,£3,000,000 for tho warship. The reduction of Britain's building policy had caused some considerable concern in especially when it becamo known that Germany was rapidly increasing her armaments, 'tt was just at that time that New Zealand came forward with her gift. Canada iva3 also doing her duty in a. diflerent manner, as was Australia, with her naval policy and national defence. What was needed in England was such a compulsory system of military training as had been adopted hers. If such a system was in operation, the fleet would bo able to move to any part of the world, leaving the country in security. He hoped that such a system would come about. During tho four years of his absence another noiujfc of importance in Imperial history was the unification of ■ the South African States. With regard to national training, he was sorry to see, few though they were in number, that there wero opponents to the system. If there wero any who were not willing to guard the honour of the country and the lives of those dear to thorn, he, for cne, was willing to contribute his mite for them to go to eome I ptlier country. (Applause.)

New Zealand Trade. Referring to New Zealand trade, tho i speaker said that if three times the quan- , titv of wool, dairy produce, and meat i was turned out in New Zealand, there would be a marlcet for it. There an increasing - demand in England as N eW Zealand produce became known. There were 'also vast resources in the East for taking New Zealand produce. New land, unfortunately, was not doing much in fostering that market; Australia was getting a little bit ahoad. Thero was also a. market in America, but not to the some extent.. Europe was also t realising that New Zealand meat was desirable. iTanc?> he believed, was going to bo one of the best countries for New Z?alands frozen produce. It had boen suggested that New Zealand might follow the same courso as Argentina had done,. viz., enter into gome form of reciprocity by which Argentina allowed certain French products to go in at a low duty, and France allowed frozen meat to go in from tho Argentine at ahout half tho duty that New Zealand would have to pay. He had been told that if New Zealand liked to adopt tho system they would be given the same facilities. He took it upon himself to open the matter up officially, through the Foreign Office, with tho result certain replies were transmitted through the Colonial Office to the Government ot Aeiv Zealand at the time, Ue .^ l '? vcd / , 0 b business was to bo done with France with Germany. The same remarks applied to butter. '

Quality of Produce. He would impress on those sending butter and meat away to see that the quality was of the very highest. It was the introduction of poorer qualities that brought discredit on . the industry, aim brought down the prices. With regard to butter, frozen meat, and cheese, he ielt there should be some Government regulation to ensure that all that was sent was of the liighcst quality. _ Regarding his tours in England, bir William said that wherever he went New Zealand was always well spoken 01. M had attended a luncheon in New South Wales, and tho complaint was mado that New Zealand was. so much better known iii the Old Country than was Australia. He ~ assured the speaker that tho same complaint was made about Austraßa New Zealand. Ho now assured them that both countries were very well known, and everywhere respected. Immigration. Immigration was another subject touched on by Sir ' William, who referred to tho new regulations being brought torward by the Minister for Immigration. Ho hoped the question would not be a party one. There was no doubt that the country could carry many more inhabitants, and not only domestic servants ana farm labourers, With regard to domestics, he understood the proposal was to give them free passage, on condition that tuev refunded tho fares within a given period. He thought this-would induce a swat] number of good girls to come out. With regard to farm labourers, there were hundreds in England who could not raiso the i! 8 foT the passage. If the. way con d be made smoother for them, tliero cou d be no complaints. With increased population tho Dominion would move ahead even faster than it had (lone m the past. There were so many attractions held out for immigrants, and iin this respect Canada was proving the greatest draw. Taking into consideration the cliraato of Canada and New Zealand, there was no comparison between the fared W the two countries. Taking it all round, New Zealand had been doing very well. A recent return over ten yeJs showed that the . of Aus&X Afrlcrr y T^ent ; P toadTby Sd X& Zealand was only one point behind Canada, with 30 per rent This was excellent when one con sidered tho £20,000 allowed Hi«h Commissioner to "f^rti? 0 country, and the cost, about halt a million a year, which Canada was put to. When lie (the speaker) had, asked for a, srnal" sum to adverts New Zealand, he C °ConcUidinft Sir William said he would «e motion of tho chairman a hearty V tSs"ras accorded Sir William i'lafl-J ohm for his intoresting address.