INTER-DOMINION COURTESY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 76, 23 December 1919, Page 6

INTER-DOMINION COURTESY

AN EXCHANGE OF GIFTS. A compliment of an enduring sort is to be exchanged between the. New Zealand Government and the Government of tho s'ster Dominion of Canada. Quite lately the Dominion of Canada Houses of Parliament were destroyed by fire. Nearly twelve venrs ago the iXew Zealand Houses of Parl'ament were' also destroyed by fire, but the two houses will be rebuilt, about the same time When the Ottawa lire occurred the New Zealand Government, through Sir. Massey (Primb Minister) offered to the Canadian Government a gift of kauri timber, wherewith to decorate tho room of the Pr'jne Minister in the Canadian Parliament Buildings. The Canadian Prime Minister has been prompt to acknowledge the compliment, and tho following letter has been received by Mr.|MasH\\- from Sir George Foster, Acting-Prime Minister of Canada :—

"I am asking Mr. Beddoe to as.k you (o bo soml enough to convey to you and your Government our best thanks for your very great kindness in forwarding a consignment of kauri wood for use in the interior finishing of our new Parliament Buildings at Ottawa. As a Government wo warmly appreciate this interDomin'on eomic'sv, which, .1 hope, wo mnv shortly be permitted to repay in kind, as Sir Robert Borden has asked that arrangements bo made to forward some representative Canadian woods for possible incorporation in your new I arI'ament Buildings now in course ef construction at Wellington." Mr Massev >has received also from Mr. Beddoe, who is Canadian Trado Com. missioner in New Zealand, another, letter in which he asks for particulars of tho sort of flushings planned in the Prime Minister's room in Parliament Buildings, and suggestng that, plans shall be supplied in time to catch the Niagara on her next voyage. Mr. Beddoe tells also, that the pronosal of the Canadian Government :s that Mr. Mask's new room, in the new Parliament Buildings sha 1 bo finished in bird's-eye imiple, for pnncllimr. and walnut for frair'ng. The offer has not yet been considered bv the New Zealand Government, 'but it is sure to be accepted.