EMPIRE TRADE COMMISSION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8357, 18 February 1913, Page 8

EMPIRE TRADE COMMISSION

INTERVIEW WITH SIR EDGAR, VINCENT. MELBOURNE, February 17. Sir Edgar Vincent, chairman of the Empire Trade Commission, has arrived here. Interviewed, he said the Commission’s inquiries would not be concerned with tariffs; it would deal with all questions relating to trade except what tho Tariff Commission learned. Eight years ago nearly 70 per centum of the immigration from the United Kingdom was to foreign countries; now 76 per centum was to the Dominions, principally Canada and Australia. “This is satisfactory so far as it goes. Nobody doubts that the population ol the Empire needs to be better distributed, and the question of better distribution is one with which the Commission is concerned.” Sir Edgar Vincent considers that 90 per centum of the immigrants to Australia are benefited thereby. There must no doubt be a few malcontents who would be failures anywhere. Among the questions to be considered is the class of immigrants wanted here. There is no idea in England of using Australia as a dumping ground for people who are not wanted at Home. Whether the best methods are being employed and whether the currents of immigration are being directed into the best channels are among ttio questions to bo investigated. Sir Edgar sails for New Zealand on Wednesday. . “PEOPLE POTTERING LIKE CHILDREN.” “DEFINITE EPOCH IN IMPERIAL DEVELOPMENT.” '(Received February 17, 9.3 D p.m.) MELBOURNE, February 17. Sir Edgar Vincent was welcomed at the Town Hall. Hon. W. M. Hughes, Attorney-Gene-ral, said: “Tho people of tho Empire have been pottering about like children or savages in the dark. We should realise that we have a relation to one another. Our loyalty will only be useful if constant and continuous, and, in short, a factor in building up the Empire. We in Australia have done little more than scratching about with anaemic hands.” Sir Edgar Vincent said that tho Commission marked a definite epoch in Imperial development. The Trade Commissioners were the first flying squadron attached to the l mighty fleet of the Imperial Conference, and their mission was to visit the territory of all the autonomous governments and consuit the authorities on trade and commerce. The representatives of the dominions would lay the facts before the next Imperial Conference. There had been all-England elevens and all-Aus-tralian elevens, but for the first time they would now have an Empire eleven. He added: “We are hero to cooperate _ with you. _ Wo desire to increase, in an especial degree, inter-Im-porial trade.” Press Association. * TIMARU, February 17. The Chamber of Commerce has decided to arrange to bo represented when the Empire Commission sits in Christchurch. The Empire Trade Commissioners leave Melbourne by the Warrimoo for the Bluff on Wednesday, arriving at the southern port on the 24th inst. Evidence will be taken at Dunedin from the 25th to the 28th; thence at Christchurch, from March Ist to sth; Wellington, from 6th to 12th; and Auckland, 13th to 18th. The sittings will all be open to the press. The New Zealand officer has received a cablegram from the Commission stating that it is devoting special attention to the arrangements for receiving, placing, and superintending immigrants, especially women and children. The members of the Commission are also specially interesting themselves in steamship communications, including Suez Canal dues, rates of freight, and cheap fares, harbour facilities, and minimum depth of water in main harbours. The Commission has read with interest the statements by the Dunedin, Chirstchurch, and ’ Wellington Chambers of Commerce printed in the Bine Book compiled by the New Zealand, officer, and sent them to London, and they particularly hope that the suggestions of cooperation between tho different parts of the Empire in regard to trade and commerce, etc., contained in these memoranda will be developed in evidence. The New Zealand officer leaves for Christchurch on Wednesday to confer with the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce; and proceeds to Dunedin to make final arrangements for the sitting. He will meet members of the Commission nt the Bluff.