Empire Trade Exhibition

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1922, Page 4

Empire Trade Exhibition

MISSION WELCOMED AT WELLING

WELLINGTON, July I

Major 'Belcher and Lleitteini nt-Col-onei Christie, members of the .Mission in connexion with the British Empire Trade Exhibition, were accorded a civic reception in tlie Town Hall to-day.

The lion W. Downic Stewart represented the Government. He said that the assistance of business people would be welcomed by the mission. At a latter stage the Government would he asked lor financial assistance. U was hoped that the ndiiintuges of Imperial preference introduced by New Zealand would Imve materialised by the thru the exhibition op med. New Zcalan: knew what was to be gained by adopting a policy oi trading with the Empire. Major Belcher, in reply, said that if the success of the exhibition rested purely on Imperial sciiLiment then, a? far as New Zealand was concerned. t!mt success was assured. !>ut it was hoped to impress business men that tic exhibition would he a business proposition run by business men will definite business ends. As it rcsuL it was hoped greatly to increase New Zealand's markets.

Replying at a gathering of commercial interests later in the day, Majo Belcher, a member of the British Em pile Exhibition .Mission, said the Ex hiliitioii would give a comp:clien-.ivt survey of tlie re oitrces of the Empire The idea originated with it great Imperialist, Lord Elrntlicona, and was in tended to he lie'll in London ill I'll' hut the war intervened. The Executive Committee comprised the fines' hanking, commercial, ami industrial intellects in Britain, who, while recognising its Imperial principles, were determined that it should he run by business men for business ends. Royal patronage had been extended, and the Government hud given it ollieial recognition, guaranteeing L‘l ()!!,(100. The Wembley Park site was chosen so as to meet all ie<|uirenienls. including permanency. All Dominion products from the ports of Loudon, .S'outlinmptoii. Bristol, l.iverpo I, and Hull could he trucked to the pavilion without passing through London or changing lines. The land purchased wold I belong to the nation. The profits from the Exhibition would he used for Imperial purposes, 50 ]>of cent to go to the Dominions. Tile British section would occupy a million somite feet, and firms hud provided a million sterling, showing that tlicv considered its value high to British trade. Major Belcher emphasised that the Exhibition would cover loseareh work, mineral resources of all description, scientific and applied art, in addition to manufactures, timber, and other prodilets. The speaker said the meat position in Australia was much worse than in the Dominion. The Government had made a levy of (Id per head on caltle, to impress Client Britain with the necessity ol absorbing its surplus products holme asking the IVi- ■ Millions t > absorb Great Britain's stirplus population.