EMPIRE TRADE COMMISSION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 238, 6 April 1912, Page 5

EMPIRE TRADE COMMISSION

* 6IR JOSEPH WARD A MEMBER. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. * London, April 3. In the House of Commons, Mr. Har•ourt (Secretary for the Colonies), anaoumced that Baron Inchcape would be chairman of the Empire Trade Commission, the other members beingSir E. Vincent, Sir C. Owens, Sir H. Rider Haggard, Messrs T. Garnett (Manchester cotton spinner), W. Lorimer (Glasgow and Steel Company director). . Mr. G. Foster, Minister of Commerce, represents Canada, Mr. Bowring represents Newfoundland, Lord de Villiers and Sir D. P. de V. Graaf South M-ica, Sir Joseph Ward New Zealand, and Mr. D. Campbell Australia. Mr. W. A. Robinson, of the Colonial Office, will be secretary. Mr. Harcourt said that he hoped the enquiry would be concluded before the next Imperial Conference. TO MEET IN LONDON. By. Telegraph—Pr*sn Association. Wellington, Thursday. It is understood that the Empire Trade Commission, the personnel of which is announced in to-day's cables, will meet in London and first arrange proceedure, and then visit New Zealand Mid Australia, taking the former first. Sir Joseph Ward, who is a member, will be unable to go to London for the first meeting. PREMIER AND EX-PREMIER'S VIEWS. Wellington, Thursday. Interviewed by a Post reporter, the Prime Minister (the Hon. T. Mackenzie) said that his Cabinet had asked Sir Joseph Ward to allow himself to be nominated, and he was pleased to say that Sir Joseph consented.- with "the result that New Zealand would have for thai special work its most qualified and experienced man on the most important Commission that had eve- been held in the interests of the Empire. The position carried no salary for any of the representatives, expenses only- being paid. Mr. Mackenzie said he felt confident that the trade of the Empire must be enormously benefited by its work, and New Zealand would, he was sure, be proud to have so distinguished and capable a representative on it. ' _ "When I decided to accept the posi-1 Hon," said Sir Joseph Ward to a Post reporter, "I felt that there was very important work which could be done by the Commission in the general interests of the Empire. It will not interfere with my position as a member of the House of Representativ s. It is not j my intention, as the result of the appointment, to retire from public life in I New Zealand. I understand that it is very probable that the Commission will sit in New Zealand and Australia first."

In reply to a question, Sir Joseph said that he thought the work would takt about two years.