FIFTY-NINE OVERSEAS DELEGATES

Evening Star, Issue 22455, 28 September 1936, Page 8

FIFTY-NINE OVERSEAS DELEGATES

EMPIRE CONGRESS AT WELLINGTON RECEPTION ON AORANGI [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, September 28. After greetings had been exchanged aboard the Aorangi last evening by Mr Sullivan, Mr Mason, officials of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, and a representative of the Government departments to the 59 overseas delegates to the Empire Congress and their relatives, Viscountess Elibank received the New Zealand party in the lounge on behalf of Viscount Elibank, the president of the congress, who was confined to his _ cabin with a slight attack of bronchitis. Lady Elibank was later presented with a bouquet of yellow and red kowhai, manuka, and native foliage by a delegation of wives of members of the _ Auckland _ Chamber of Commerce. Viscount Elibank issued a statement for publication in which he stated that this was the first time an Empire Congress had been held in New Zealand, and all were looking forward to studying the problems of New Zealand, making personal contacts, and seeing something of New Zealand’s beautiful scenery. “We are much gratified «y the welcome we are receiving, said, “as is evidenced by the radio messages, especially on© from the Prime Minister.”

_ The delegates are being taken on sight-seeing trips to-day by the Chamber of Commerce. About two-thirds of them are leaving on this afternoon’s express for the National Park, and the remainder are going to the Waitomo caves to-morrow morning. The parties will meet at the National Park on Wednesday morning, and will then proceed to Wellington by special train. Tho Auckland branch of the Royal Empire Society holds a reception in the University Hall _ this evening in honour of Viscount and Viscountess Elibank, and the following Fellows of the Society:—Sir Albert and Lady Atkey, Sir Montagu and Lady Burton, Mr Robert L. Barclay, Mr W. M. Birks (Montreal), and the Hon. J. W, Downie and Mrs Downie (Southern Rhodesia). THE AUSTRALIAN DELEGATES AUCKLAND, September 28. A large number of Australian delegates to the Chambers of Commerce Congress arrived by the Awatea this morning. The party includes Mr George Groom, president of the Federation of Chambers of Queensland, who is the first newspaper man to hold that post, and who is also president of the Chambers of Far Northern Queensland; Professor Torliev Hytten, head of the economics department of the Bank of New South Wales (Sydney); and the Hon. H. M. Russell (Brisbane). PACIFIC PROBLEMS AIR AND SHIPPING SERVICES [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, September 28. . The belief that the congress to be held in New Zealand was one of the most important gatherings of the kind which had taken place was expressed by the president of the congress, Viscount Elibank, an an interview this morning. . Like the other delegates, he was disinclined to comment on matters that would be the subject of discussion at the congress, but ne had something to say concerning the advantages of such conferences. “ At the congress there will be certain outstanding subjects, such as the Ottawa agreement and migration, which must take lengthy discussions, as the delegates at these congresses are always outspoken, for it is desirable; for business men from different parts of the Empire to be made fully aware of the conditions and difficulties existing in other parts if_ they are to arrive at proper conclusions for the co-ordination of Empire trade.” Lord Elibank added that many of the delegates, having now travelled from Canada by the Canadian-Australasian Line, were more than ever interested in the maintainnce of this British shipping line in the All Red route, and more than ever impressed withthe importance of it in tho retention and promotion of British trade in Pacific waters. No doubt this matter would form a subject of discussion at the congress. Another subject which would be given attention would be air mails and air services, which were of great importance to Empire countries. In fact, he said, there was hardly any matter which was of major importance to Empire trade that would not be reviewed in one form or another at the congress. “ There is a great advantage in these congresses,” said Lord Elibank, “ because business men who come to them from other parts, not only meet business men in the centre where the congress is held, with beneficial results, but considerable business results from them. In any event, they give business men the opportunity to study possibilities in the countries they visit, and they usually do that. Touching on conditions in Great Britain, he said they were much more prosperous than they had been, and trade was improving. The rearmament programme had absorbed a great many of the unemployed, and, generally speaking, things were_ better than they had been for a long time.