OVERSEAS DELEGATES

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1926, Page 3

OVERSEAS DELEGATES

SOME IMPRESSIONS. MEMBERS OF THE PARTY. INTERVIEWED. , (“Lyttelton Times” correspondent). AUCKLAND, Sept. 13. "The vigour of England is still quite unimpaired,” was me substance of the message which the Marquess of Salisbury brought with him as head ot the British Parliamentarians. The rather gloomy picture of England’s future painted hv Dean Inge in his latest publication was communicated to the Marquess, hut he dismissed it quietly with tho remark that .such an outburst was nothing new for the Dealt. The Marquess had a much brighter view of England’s future and refused to accept the Dean's somewhat doleful estimate of the value of the ties that hold the Empire together. To him one thing was needed to right the present state of affairs in England, and that was industrial co-operation. “V hen wo get rid of strikes and the people reach that state when they will forget industrial strife and pull together the country will regain her greatness,” he said. “It is essential we should have industrial peace and co-operation. As far as the Empire is concerned, I am sure nothing could exceed the loyalty of the dominions. Now Zealand's example in this respect is outstanding. On our journey through Canada we found that- great dominion equally loyal. I have no doubt that when we reach Australia wo will find the same fine spirit of attachment to the Old Country.”

Discussing the objects of the visit, the Marquess of Salisbury said the idea was to exchange opinion and discuss matters of common interest, such as •Imperial migration, preference and methods by which they could facilitate communication between the Imperial Government and the overseas dominions on matters of foreign policy and other Imperial questions. The problem of getting five self-governing, absolutely independent nations to conic together for discussions when the occasion arose was a groat problem, and one that required most thoughtful and serious consideration. “What we want above everything else,” concluded the Marquess, “is to bring about, not a political union, hut a real union o| hearts and sympathies. If we can build tip a union held together by such ties f think we will he doing the best thing that can he done for those that come after us, and wo need then lyivo no fear for the strength or future of the British Empire. I have a great belief in the future of New Zealand.’ Tn the course of his remarks, the Marquess of Salisbury said he had a great regard for the lute Premier, Mr Massey, who impressed him very much when he visited London on Imperial affairs, Mr Arthur Henderson, who heads tho Labour section, is making his first visit to New Zealand and Australia, and he said that as a Labour man and secretary of tho British Labour Party he was interested mainly in the immigration problem. Tho Labour Party was not hostile to the migration ol people from the overcrowded cities of England and Scotland to new lands. I'here was u very rooted objection, however, to sending out poor iamilies it they ended only by drifting into towns and returned to their old method of living. The British Labour Party was keenly desirous, of seeing the unde-

veloped pastoral lands of New Zealand and Australia settled and brought into productiveness, hut it- could not he overlooked that the drift to the cities was 11 serious factor to lie dealt with. Mr Henderson laid stress on the fact that he and his Labour colleagues were members of the delegation and were not accompanying the party lor the purpose of making any special investigating or reports on belui.l of the Labour Party.

" A delegation composed of all liarties, wo are under a self-denying mdinaneo, not to discuss the political situation,” said t :.e Right Hon. J. I. Macpherson. PC., and the only Liberal member with the delegation. He represents Boss and Cromarty, where, ac-

cording to a- London correspondent, everyone calls him "lan." and apparently he is held in the same esteem as is New Zealand’s Prime Minister in Kainara. "Still more.' lie continued.

"we must not discuss or continent upon the political situation in any of the dominions which we are privileged to

visit.” Promptly, however, he Sound something of great interest to say. He is a Highlander and some ancestors in the forties and fifties came to New Zealand. “ Naturally.” he said. “ I have taken a deep interest in the Dominion from mv youth up, and I regard this as a great opportunity to come into cuntact with the life of the people and their ambitions and interests, and the possibilities of this great Dominion. We ill Scotland have a very warm side towards New Zealand, particularly those of us who come from the Highlands. What we saw to-day in Auckland has impressed us greatly. No citycon Id be more beautiful, no welcome more kindly; and to-morrow we will see at Rotorua another side ot oeu scenery. Rotorua is known to us all at Home as a place of historic interest.”

.Major Bryan R. Cooper, chairman of the Irish Free State delegation, although on his first visit to New Zealand, has many friends in the Dominion. for he fought with the Australians and New Zealanders at Gallipoli. He is a ruddy, cheery Irishman, with a heart full of hope for the future of his country. Major Cooper was on the retired list when the war broke out. lint in September, ’fill, lie helped to raise the Connaught Rangers, and served with i ’oin at Gallipoli. The regiment was sadly cut about, and the remnant was attached to the Australian and New Zealand forces. Major Cooper’s associations were mainly with the Otago Mountcds. and he expressed a keen desire to see some ot his old comrades.

“For myself.” he said. “I especially deplore the fact Unit time does not enable us to visit Dunedin. I spent a fortnight in August. 1015. in a dug-out on the slopes of Bnuchop’s Hill, and f have ever since had a keen desire to sec the home of the gallant men who (’aptured it. Memories of Rhododendron Ridge and t’’o Apex conic hack to me. and 1 do not believe 1 should find mvself a stranger in Otago, or any part of New Zealand.” Few authorities in the llritisli Isles have s o interested themselves in nuvtters of public health as Sir Ed"aid Bigger, who arrived with the delegation. He is ail eminent Irish medical man. and is the Crown representative for Ireland on the General Medical Council of Britain. He is with the delegation by reason of ttie fact that lie is a member of the Senate of the Irish Free State.

An interesting member of t lie Trisb Free State delegation is Mr AT. F. O’Hanlon, who for the oast eight years has been secretary of the Trisli Farmers’ Union. In this capacity lie has aen uired an intimate knowledge of the agricultural conditions in evenpart of tl-e Irish Free State. Mr O’Hanlon is thirty-five years of age. and was formerly one of the bestknown athletes in Ireland, having held both the Irish and inter-university championships. He acted as host to t’-e Canadian and Australian Olympic teams when they visited Ireland after the Olympic games in 1924.