BRITISH EXHIBITION

Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1931, Page 5

BRITISH EXHIBITION

at argentine capital. OPENED BY PRINCE OF WALES. IN INTERESTING SPEECH. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) BUENOS AIRICS. .March 14. The British .Empire Trade n-xhihi-tion here inis been opetiei.’ n.v the Prince of Wines. Although the British Industrial Exposition here is generally admitted to he an effort by the British to win commerce nwav from the Americans, the ! local American business organisations look upon the Fair with the heartiest) of goodwill, and they hope that it will be successful. .Many Americans, in fact, have co-operated with the British in the preparation of their ex- j liihits. American road machinery wan lent and not sold, to the organisers for the street building within the grounds and American loud speakers and telephones were installed. The Germans here, rather than the j Americans, are upset by the exposition, The Germans are demanding that

their Government shall make some official gesture to assist German trade in the Argentine. They argue that in ti trade fight such as this between the British and the Americans, they ought not to stand idle, PRINCE’S SPEECH.

In formally opening the British Umpire Trade Exhibition here, the Prlnco of Wnles, after referring to the pleasure it gave him to inaugurate personally this exhitibion, which was the objective of the journey to South America of himself and his brother, said: "I have no doubt that, with the help of modern inventions and science, I could have performed this ceremony without leaving .London, hut that would have been inadequate to express my sense of appreciation at the exceptional importance of this exhibition to the future British'trade with the

Argentine Republic and to the debt o-f gratitude which the British nation owes to the Argentine Government, people and press for the assistance and the welcome extended in its creation This exhibition is the first occasion that British traders from the United Kingdom and the Empire, particularly tlie Dominion of Canada, have combined to exhibit their products in this manner and on this, national scale. It is the work of the British Chamber of Commerce o'f Buenos Aires. The Chamber would have been unable to organise it, if it had not been offered placed their spacious grounds and buildings at the disposal of the Chamber. That contribution is of the great

material value hut it is one represent-

ing something even more greater in its moral significance, the goodwill of the people towards the. British

and toward the products of British industry. This exhibition is a British response at a time when the tide,of prosperity has receded and the activities of trade everywhere have slackened.

h*.o participation of the British fflann.

facturers has exceeded all the estimates and expectations formulated inbetter times. This is indicative of the spirit of enterprise of British industrialists and of the confidence they feel, not only in an early recovery ot prosperity in the Argentine Republic hut also in their own ability to maintain and extend their trade relation-

ships with it. Argentine will see represented here every British industry

which can aid her development, and the assembly of products is chosen

with special regard to th e particular needs of this country. In the various transport sections are engines

which carry us swiftly and safely whether by sen, rail, air or road. The manufacturers in the Argentina will find the latest melianicnl equipment pastoral or agricultural, and will make

the acquaintance of many modernised types and standard. The Argentine

housewife will seek amongst the app’ied arts some of that inspiration which converts a mere house into a home, for it is not only in mass production, but in beauty and fitness of individuality that true progress lies. The Pavilion of the Dominion of Can-

ada will show full and geographically for th<> first time to the Argentine the national progress of another great nation in the north, with the development of its vast resources in a way which must b e full of interest to i, country which has so many similar economic problems. There is a spirit of revival amongst British industrialists, and this exhibition is n sign thereof. The dislocation of the old, highly-organised methods of industry and commerce has given way to a period of reorganisation that is now ending, The process or <u. pting tlio mechanism of trade to new conditions is almost complete. England has refreshed and restrengthened her original powers. The countries which have suffered most, from the prevailing economic depression are those with the largst foreign trade. Great Britain and Argentina are together in that category. Their export,Trade per capita is almost precisely equal. Foreign trade is vital to prosperity. There has been a failure to recognise trade as an interchange. Obstacles have been placed in the way of reciprocal trade. These perhaps are the main couses of the world’s present troubles. If, as we all hope, the response of the Ar-

gentine purchasing public to the np- ' peal of this exhibition, leads in some ’,measure to a revival of industrial prosperity in Great Britain, and consequently a diminution of industrial unemployment, the reciprocal result wl!l £>e an increase in the British consump-

lion of Argentina meat and eerea’Js. That is ceriain. Interchange has, however. no narrow meaning restricted to commerce. Of equal significance is the development of mutual cultural knowledge. England desires an exchange with tlq. Argentine of ideas and visitors, as well as goods. This exhibition will have that ellect.

The Prince spoke briefly in Spanish stressing the value of personal visit as opportunities for forming cultural and social contracts. He gave the invitation for Argetinians to visit (treat Britain.

('including with ihe hope that the sale of more British goods in Argentum would enable Britain to consume more Argentine wheat and meat, the I’rincc of Wales said: “I dedicate this exposition to the Argentine people and confidently entrust its success to their care.” ihe Brilice of Walt's made his last appearance to-night at a grand hall on the flying deck of the “.Eagle,” Tie leaves Buenos Aires at ilawn on Monday in an aeroplane (for ("ordo'ia, where he will remain until ready to hoard his .steamer for home.

SOME OF THE EXHIBITS

BUENOS AIRES, March 14

The Prince of Wales has decorated President Urihuru with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath. Later lie pinned other decorations on the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, War, Marine and the interior ,

The Union Jack flew yesterday in Palermo Park from the fastest’ craft on earth, sea and skv in the exposition bore designed to bring Britain hack to pre-emifK'iU't; in Argentina’s foreign trade. The motor of the British plane which won the ]9do Schneider Cup; the race speed boat in which Sir 11. Segave died after setting the world record, and to motor car Golden Arrow in which he travelled to the speed mark, are mounted in the exhibition halls.

T lq> Prince of Wales, ready to fling wide the doors of the exposition on Saturday, came by aeroplane front Alal-dc Lplata. The British made goods in the great trade show range from the largest locomotive in South America to jewels of rain drop size. Canada is showing •50,000 dollars worth of pictures of Canadian scenes.

A GREAT TRIBUTE. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) NEW YORK, March 15. The New York “Time’s” correspondent at Buenos Aires states—To bo “in trade” ought never again to be odium to Britain, for British trade was raised almost to the love] of the sublime to-day, upon the occasion of

the inauguration of the British Trade Fair hv The Prince of AYales.

British marines formed a guard of honour at the Exposition Grounds, and a hand of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, played the Argentine and British National Anthems, and the King himself sent a message to Argentinians calling their attention to the importance of the Exposition, The Fair was opened with all the pomp and glory of an international event,

The Prince of Wales speaking at tho international lookup, delivered Ids vigorously applauded inauguration address, which was heard in Britain as well as in America, in English, and excellent Spanish.

Never has any foreign visitor in Argentia made himself so popular as the Prince of Wales and he undoubtedly would be elected President of Argentine Republic to-morrow if he wanted tho position. His popularity in. South America is incredible. Only part of bis attraction is due to being of Royal blood, the rest being due simply to hts ability ’to make himself extreme^ - popular without trying to do so.