BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 July 1922, Page 2

BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION.

MISSION AT TOWN HALL.

AN ATTRACTIVE ADDRESS

At the Town Hall last- evening the members of the British Empire Exhibition mission were met and welcomed. The mission consisted of Major E. A. Belcher, C.8.E.. Colonel A. Christie C.M.G., D. 5.0., and Mr F. W. Bates (Secretary). Mr O’Brien (New Zealand Government representative) also accompanied them.

About fifty representative citizens were present when the Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry O.B.B.) who presided extended a welcome to the visitors. Mr perry said the feeling at home and in the other parts of the Empire since the wav, wfcls for greater unity of the Empire. It was felt that many of the markets of British manufacturers were being closed to them. The people of the Dominions recognised that their best customer was Great Britain and were prepared to do their best to ensuie that we were good customers of Britain and ito ensure this there was a strong preference in our customs tariff. In connection with the approaching exhibition there was one suggestion he°had to make and that was for the authorities to secure low* rates for passages to and front England. That would tie one way of ensuring a large attendance. At present the cost of passages was almost prohibitive. He had great pleasure in asking Major Belcher to address them. (Applause).

Major Belcher thanked them for their welcome. The British Empire Exhibition would open in April 1924, and remain open for six months. The site was at Wembley Park, five miles from London." The site chosen for the exhibition was an area of 250 acres, with adequate transport facoilities to London, the Provinces and main ports. Visitors would be able to go to it from 142 provincial stations, Exhibits would be able to lit* handled without transliipment'to other lines. The purpose of the exhibition was to take a comprehensive survey of the products of the whole Empire. It was important to take a comprehensive survey of the British Empire for several reasons. They would bie absolutely in a position to know what arc the possibilities of the Empire, they did not want to have happen again those days of between 1914 an 1 1918 when they nearly lost the war, not because their men were beaten but because of the shortage of foodstuffs and munitions ill England. The outstanding feature of tile war was that before 1914 America’s development was due to her trade with Europe. Europe received in return the interest from her business with America. The position to-day was entirely different. Instead of iAmerica owing millions to Europe. Europe was now owing millions to America and lias to pay in cash for what is required. Trade in Europe and England cannot come hack until we bring back the dollar to its pre-war exchange. For every sovereign that England spends with her Dominions, she gets a sovereign in value, and spends it in her own family, hut for every sovereign spent in foreign chantries we do not get-20s in return and it is spent out of the Empire. The late lion. Joseph Chamberlain over twenty years ago had referred to the Dominions as England’s vast undeveloped estate and there was now an endeavour for the Empire to he developed. The principal industry in Lamashire was cotton, .and cotton fabrics manufactured, there were exported to all parts of the world. If the raw cotton supply failed it would be a great disaster to Lancashire, but to-day 90% of the raw cotton came from America. It becomes doubly serious in these days as we have to pay in sterling. For another reason, America is threatened with a cotton shortage, due to ravages of pests in the fields and the rise of United States cotton manufacturers. The Empire has plenty of cotton lands, Egypt, Kyassa land and other places and last. Australia where 4J million lbs of cotton was grown last year with untold of areas available, in that great continent suitable therefore. In the next ten years he considered Austraia would become the biggest cotton grower in the world. In timber for every 100 ft that Britain imports, 80ft. comes from foreign places, yet in British Dominions there wrs ample to supply England with all her requirements for many many von i s

Then in foodstuffs, the Argentine was their great rival in beef and sheep. There was a necessity for scientific propaganda for the proper disposition of the products of the Dominion. The people of Britain were not sufficiently awake to the value and effect of scientific publicity as utilised in America. Instances were mentioned of the result of pubilieity stunts that had' » marvellous outcome in the sale of certain goods, one referred to being the sale of New Zealand mutton and the other of American dried grapes. The first thing in the trade of a country was to have a good thing to sell, but it would not sell till it was made known,, in a way to attract the attention of the buyers. There was no limit to‘the amount of fruit that can bo turned into tinned fruit and dried fruit, and there was an unlimited s '• in Britain. For one lb of canned fruit from the Empire that went into Britain 121 b of American was imported. He had seen the Petone meat works, a'l I they had a fine output a credit to any country. At the Exhibition they estimated there would be ten million visitors. They were putting up the finest and the largest equipped sports ground in the world there. There would be 60,000 visitors daily and they would have their lunches, dinners and teas, in the restaurants in the exhibition grounds, and they hoped to have nothing there but what were the products of the British Empire. There would be the opportunity of teaching 60.0(10 people daily for six months the value of their products. If the opportunity was seized they could carry to the homes of sixty thousand people daily, a lesson of what the Empire really can produce. Referring to the secondary industries ho assured them that New Zealand produced the finest motor woollen rugs in the world. It was being recognised that they could get the finest wearing quality from the crossbred wool.

He had ?cen some of the HYVst Coast possibilities from Nelson down nnd bad been struck with the possibilities with

a greater population and an influx"of

capital. There were an enormous quantity and quality of coal and other

minerals, not to mention gold, in payable quantity with proper utilisation

of capital. There was a rising tendency

in Great Britain to invest in the Dominions instead of foreign countries. It was necessary to put in form the best schemes that required capital, There were possibilities of generating enormous power, while there were remarkable attractions for tourists, and these .were of great value in the distribution of ready money in a district but they should be properly catered for. He had seen nothing more beautiful than the Buller Gorge though he had. « been informed that the beauties of South Westland far surpassed it. He recognised that New Zealand with its many attractions was one of the playgrounds of the world. Deferring again to the Exhibition, its purpose was to give a comprehensive survey of the Empire and to assist to develop its trade. It was to he a purely British Empire Exhibition. Great Britain was erecting buildings that would cover 11 million super feet and her share would cost 11 millions. A guarantee had been raised to cover the whole cost. South Africa had decided to utilise 50,000 square feet and had resolved to be adequately represented. Australia had decided that if she "ere represented it would have to he done properly, or not at all and after Federal and State Government conferences had decided to utilise 150,000 sq. feet and to spend a quarter of million on it. New Zealand had not yet decided on its action. He had seen the Premier and some Ministers, and though he had heard of the present financial stringency he did not. think they had any need to worry of the future, especially when the value of property was £SOO per head and there was an average of £75 per head in the Savings-banks, both the highest per centages in the world. The mission had come round the world for three reasons. The first was that it was increasingly important that those at the head of affairs should know what was going on. So far as ho was concerned he was of opinion the most important things he had seen was cotton growing in 'Australia. The second reason was to tell the business community all about the Exhibition. The third, was to point out that it was non-political all shades of political thought being on its management and working hand in hand. New Zealand ought to he really in and if they joined heartily in the movement they would not have any reason to regret their participation. The results of this great- exhibition would be felt, redound to the future prosperity of the Empire and this part of the world. Major Belcher then sat down and was heartily applauded for his very finely delivered address.

Mr O’Brien (Government representative! said in reference to the mention of be" Zealand rugs that at the Panama Exposition Mosgiel rugs seemed the world grand piize. He considered th? exhibition would he an unrivalled opportunity to New Zealand to exhibit her products.

. QUESTIONS. Questions were invited by the Chairman.

In reply to Mr Jeffries, Major Belcher said the general opinion was that there would he a large increase in the consumption of frozen mutton. Actually it is rather less now than preceding the war. He was of opinion that there will-be an increased consumption outside England in the years to come In answer to Mr W. J. Butler, Ahe speaker said he would be very glad ot instances and information regarding the requirements of the colonies as to specific matters. Mr Bruce said he could refer to typewriters. It was impossible to secure a good English make to-day. Major ueicner agreed that at the present time there were many American typewriters in England due to the fact that during the war no typewriters were made in England. In reply to Mr O’Brien, Major Belcher said exhibitors would be charged normal rates for utilities, there would be no profiteering and that New Zealand could sell what she liked in her court and no commission would he

charged. In reply to Mr Peart, Major Belcher stated that art in pictures and statuary would lie placed in an Imperial fine Art gallery, but art of craft would appear in the New Zealand pavilion. A recommendation.

Mr W. J. Butler then moved—That this meeting is of opinion that the Government should support the British Empire Exhibition in such a manner that the products of the Donliuicm should receive proper representation at that Exhibition. Mr IV. Jeffries seconded the motion. They had gleaned a great deal qf, information from the fine address which gave much food for reflection. He was of opinion that the Government should take proper steps to have New Zeaand adequately represented. The motion was agreed 'to on the voices. '

Air Perry said he had listened with 'great interest to the address given. It had started a stream of thought in their minds that the exhibition can only be productive of good and was a step in tlic right direction. He moved a very hearty vpte of thanks to Major Belcher for his very interesting and instructive address. The motion was seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried by acclamation. Colonel Christie moved a vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding and the meeting terminated. Subsequently the sketch plans of the Exhibition were displayed most of the audience remaining to view them.