The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 1932. THE WORLD CENTRE.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 1932. THE WORLD CENTRE.

Away back an the year 1170, one William Fitzstephen wrote of London: “Among the noble cities of the world that fame cerebrates, the city of London of tho Kingdom of t'he English, is the one seat that pours out its fame more widely, sends to farther land's its wealth and trade, lifts its head higher than the rest. It is happy in the healthiness of its air, in the Christian religion, in the strength of its defences, the .nature of its site, tlhe honour of its citizens, the modesty of ite nations; pleasant in sport; fruitful in noble men.” Those words of 762 years ago, ring as true to-day of the noble city, the heart of the Empire, the centre ot the world’s trade. London is placed on an estuary which has been the portal of the world.! s' transport, for the sea is an easy highway. Ships were the instruments by means of wlhich the Empire was founded and consolidated. To-day, British shipping is in the forefront and is a prime factor in maintaining .British prestige on the seas. A writer recently isaid that it is not possible to assess how much is owing to tlio courage and ability of those connected with the mercantile marine, to tho skill of marine engineers, to scientists for the benefits of refrigeration, and to others who have contributed to tho solution of ti’ie many problems which /surrounded transport. It was from London that many of the pioneers set sail. ■Tt was fro i London that the earliest settlers at the outposts of the Empire obtained thr wpLt 'l which enabled them to derail op the resources of the lands of their adoption. It was the financial and distributing facilities : of London

that enabled produce from far corners of the Empire to be disposed of to the best advantage and ensure production. H *i.s recorded that London received and disposed of the first bale of wool from Australia, and through the agency of the London wool sales the wool trade of j Australia and New Zealand was built up. The same npplie? to frozen mutton fiohi the Antipodes; also fmt and ' dairy produce, England being the main mairxet still for this Dominion. So with other- parts of the Empire, notab. y 0 ..nada, Africa, India and the scattered colonies, the market to be found through the port of, London is" the most • patronised. London is ,full of interest, and possesses a wealth of wonders. The description of Mr Fitzstophen of long ago, is still literally true, and the world relies greatly ,on the lead which comes from London. Just how the world is as much interested in the outcome of the Ottawa Conference, as the Dominions within the Empire. The trad© through the Pool of London is an international one, and every foreign country is identified with it. London stands as tihe pride of the Empire, and the centre of world-wide commerce. Its history is the history of the Empire founded from its port. The ancient city therefore holds an unrivalled place, for it is at once the clearing house and the Mecca of world trade and finance, In these latest days London has passed through a trying time, hut there are still '/fruitful noble men” to guide the. destinies of the country and to bring it through with honour and credit,' and to maintain its high place as a world centre of outstanding force and effect. t i