PRESS CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1925, Page 1

PRESS CONFERENCE.

A COAIPLETE SUCCESS

AUCKLAND, Oct. 13. “’I ho New Zealand delegates all feel flint the eoiderenec has been a oomplet sueoes. From an Amistralian and New Zealand point of view it was manifest that the delegates from England anil Canada were enthusiastically concerned with the development of trade, and with the Empire and industrial problems brought under their notice. It is assured that much good will result from their visit and observations.” So declared Sir George Fenwick, the veteran New Zealand journalist, who. villi Lady Fenwick, returned this afternoon by the Alaunganui from the Empire Press Conference in Australia.

Both from the English and Dominion standpoints, particularly in regard to the question of migration, Lord Burnham and his colleagues were tremendously interested. Tt was assumed that this must result in large accessions to Hie Dominions’ populations. In stating this Sir George made it clear that the English delegates recognised fully the difficulties of migration. but he was sure these difficulties would lie surmounted in future deliberations concerning the question. One such difficulty which Sit' George (Hinted as an example was that of British immigrants arriving in Australia or New Zealand with tt fair amount of capital and desirous of entering into farming straight away. Another proL Icm which had to be solved was that of the absorption of skilled workmen into Hie trades of the Dominions. As a rule' the unions in Australia felt there was no field for additions to their ranks in the meantime. This problem in all its aspects was receiving the earnest consideration of all the delegates.

Divergent opinions were held, said Sir George, on the question of iulerEnipire trade. Some of the delegates were different as to the Dominions pushing ihoir secondary industries and thought they should confute themselves solely to the development of primary industries. “We in New Zealand know full well that the development of secondary industries means a. great deal for New Zealand,” declared Sir George. “So it is in Australia and if does not require any special arguments from me lo bring this home to the Dominion, for our people are fully cognisant of l.lie importance of this side of our nntional development. “I may say that the New Zealand delegates thoroughly enjoyed the tour which lliev made through New South Wales and Queensland. The enormous scope for development forced itself home as we travelled through the great pane fields of Queensland and. as Lord Burnham expressed it. ‘Queensland in all probability is destined to be the greatest and most p7‘ogros=ive State of the Comnionealtli.’ ”