The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1914. THE NEW ZEALAND DINNER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 96, 13 August 1914, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1914. THE NEW ZEALAND DINNER.

The eighteenth annual New Zealand dinner wa* held in London on Thursday, June 25th. The function grows stead; ; y in favor amongst patriotic New Zealauders, and this gathering was the most notable yet hold. The High Commissioner, Hon. Tlios. Mackenzie, presided, and was supported by Lord Ranfurly, Lord Plunket and many distinguished residents and exresidents of the Dominion. In the course of a very interesting speech, Mr Mackenzie dwelt on many matters affecting this country, and amongst < other matters gave figures to indicate the Dominion's remarkable deJ velopmeut. The High Commissioner said: The following figures will t show the great development that lias , taken place in New Zealand since i /became a member of its Parliament:— Then. Now. Value of private lands and £ £ improvements 111,000.000 650,000,000 Trade ... 13,000,000 45,000,000 Wool ... 3,300,000 8,000,000 Frozen meat 450,000 4,000,000 Dairy produce ] I ] ,000 4,000>000 Flax ... 25,000 400,000 Timber, tallow etc. ... 1,000.000 3,750,000 Savings bank deposits ... 2.400,000 18,045,000 No. of depositors less than 100,000 503,000 No. No. Population ... 600,000 1.250,000 ! Sheep ... 16.000,000 25,000.000 Cattle ... 85,000 2.020.000 From the above figures it is evident that 'about one person out of every two in New Zealand has a deposit ill the Ravings Bank. Before leaving the question of produce per- ; haps it would be well to say a word regarding the future. It is full of i hope, and at the present time T can see no indication of any lessened values for the staple products of'New ' Zealand, Indeed, the contrary may }

in some respects be said to be the case, always bearing in mind how essential it is that their quality should 1)0 of the highest. We have had controversies regarding margarine, but vegetable substitutes will never displace high grade butter, although they will certainly run inferior butters out of the market.