MR WILFORD RETURNS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1924, Page 1

MR WILFORD RETURNS

JABAN AND TREATY BORTS VISITED. WELLINGTON, Jan. JJ Air T. M. Wilford. leader of tile Ojipositiou returned cm the Alumina from a visit to Japan and the Treaty ports, including Singapore. He was accompanied by Airs and Aliss AVilford. lie was more concerned about the condition of Mrs Wilford’s health than about political matters at the moment, for Mrs Wilford underwent a serious operation in Sydney. She is slowly recovering, and was able, with assistance, to walk off the steamer. Air T. M. AVilford. Leader of the Opposition, speaking of his visit lo the Ear East, said to-day that Japan was entering upon a definite course of doing away with Japanese dress, substituting woollen garments. Girl students to whom he gave a lecturettc on the Dominion were attired in woollen jumpers and skirts. The Japanese were progressive in spurts, and contemplate challenging America at, the national game. Mr Wilford said lie regarded the East as a great market for condensed and dried milk and batter. but lie saw no Dominion brands in Java, Singapore, China or Japan. Huge quantities of butter were being exported from New Zealand to Australia, made into pound tins, and sent to Singapore as Australian butter. AVJiy not tin butter in the Dominion and send it direct (n t-lio East 7 The coal trade of Singapore, which was Australian and Japanese, hud been captured by Naial. Mas there no opening for coal there 7 11 was lor the coal experts to say. The Dutch l East Indies, with 38 millions of people, were ripe for exploitation with dried milk, butter, and ill in rugs. Could not something be done with these products to hclj) New Zealand trade 7 He believed that it would pay to have a commercial agent in the East, and if butter, milk, and wool producers could see what lie had seen, they would lose no time in making a move in this direction. Living was expensive in the East, and the agent must have a standing with a reasonable entertainment allowance, but the trade return would justify this outlay.