THE TRADE COMMISSION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 250, 12 March 1913, Page 4

THE TRADE COMMISSION

VISIT TO XKW PLY.MOUTII. DISTIXUI'ISHED PERSONAGES. Sir ltiilcr Haggard, Messrs. X. Lorinier and T. Uarnett, three members of the imperial Trade Commission, arrived in Xew Plymouth by the mail train last night. Mr. Cars well, Sir Ryder. Hag-. gard's photographer, is a member of the party, which was accompanied by Mr. Bruce, ol the Agricultural Department. On arrival they were met by Mr. J. 8. Johns and Mr. Morison (Vice-President), of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. C. Carter and Mr. 11. ,). Okey, M.P., Chairman and members of the local Board of Directors of the New Zealand Oil Wells, Limited.. Mr. W. Ainbury was also present. On arrival the party were motored up to the White Hart Hotel. Having hail a strenuous time lately the visitors spent a quiet evening. Mr. T. Garrett expressed pleasure at being able to visit the district, which., the reduction in the quorum of the committee had rendered possible. The distinguished visitors will be iu the district two days prior to leaving for Auckland by steamer to-morrow night. The Commission, it is understood, will, not take evidence here, but during their stay they will be given an opportuniy" of gauging the potentialities of the district. This morning they will be motored out to Moturoa, where the oil wells, the Freezing Works and the Harbor will be inspected. In the afternoon there 1 will be a run out to Bell Block, where visits will be paid to the Xo. 1 oil bore 1 there, to the Bell Block Dairy Factory and to several farms in the neighborhood, where the Holstein and Jersey herds will be viewed. Beautiful Pukekura Park will fittingly conclude the day should time permit. By this evening's train two other members of the Commission will arrive, viz.. the Hon. Bowring, of Newfoundland, and Mr. Green, of Australia. To-morrow a visit will be paid to Lepperton, and possibly to Waitara to view the country. It had been intended to go through to the Mimi, but the programme has had-to be curtailed somewhat to allow Messrs. Bowring and Green to visit the oil .bores. The party will then be motored to the Mountain House, where they will be entertained at lunch, returning to Xew Plymouth in time for dinner.

WHO OUR VISITORS ARE. Of the members of the Commission' visiting New Plymouth, the best known is Sir Ryder Haggard. Who has not read "King Solomon Mines," "Jess,"' "Rim." "Allan Quavtermain," and others of Ryder Haggard's romantic masterpieces? Sir Ryder, however, is something more than a novelist. As an agriculturist he is one of the leading British authorities. Jvo member of the Commission' will be more interested in our farming' operations than he. He has homes ill' Norfolk and Suffolk. His interest in rural conditions led him to make a tour right through the country in 1001 and 1002, and the results of his investigations into agricultural matters and the condition of the rural population have been embodied in his two volumes entitled "Rural England," published in 1002, and in other works. The British Government appointed him a Special" Commissioner to report on the Hadleigh Farm Colony in England, and on the settlements and colonies in the United' States belonging to the Salvation Army. He subsequently published a report on the subject, and in 1011 wrote a valuable report on rural conditions in Denmark. Sir Rider Haggard was a member and chairman of the Reclamation and Unemployed Labor Committee of the Royal' Commission on Coast Erosion and Afforestation which sat from 1000 to 1011. His interest in these matters will doubtless induce him to devote special attention to their application to the problems of Australia. Mr. William Lorimer is a Scotsman;,., and the head of a large steel manufacturing business in Glasgow. He is chairman of directors of the Great Western! Railway, and is a personal friend of 'Mr. Asquith. The Prime Minister is usually his guest at Glasgow. Mr. Lorimer is a thoroughly capable and reliable maif,, who is likely to do good work on; tlieCommission. Mr. Tom Garnctt is connected bv marriage with the well-known S'yme family (proprietors of the Melbourne Age). Hb is largely interested in the cotton tradein Lancashire, and is a fine type of the British commercial man who thoroughly understands his business. He takes aw interest in politics, and has been chairman for his party's candidates duringthe election campaign in the North of England. The most distinguished member of the Commission is the Chairman, Sir Edgar Vincent, who, unfortunately, found"" it impossible to come on to New Plymouth. His distinguished career is referred toelsewhere in this issue.

TITT WELLINGTON SITTINGS. By Telegraph.—Per press Association.. Wellington, Last Night. At the Trade Commission Mr. J. G. Wilson, President of the Farmers' Union. reviewed the condition of the farming industry. One great need, he said, was for more labor. He also urged an improvement in the methods of hand.linor produce at the Port of London. Mr. G. Marshall, a member of the executive of the Farmers' Union, said that 1 soil cultivation was retrogressing owin«to the fact that insufficient Hands were available . Mr. E .T Casey. secretary of the Cooks and Waiters' Union, explained that the reason why girl immigrants after being brought out for domestic service did not enter it, was that they found they could get other employment in hotels and restaurants under betterconditions. At the conclusion of the evidence SirAlfred Tiateman, acting-chairman, expressed his thanks on behalf of the Commission for the evidence tendered" in Wellington, and the general assistance members had received. ,_-Sir Eider Haggard, the Hon. R Bowling, and Messrs. Garnett and Lovimerleft this morning for Taranafci, and Sir • Edgar Vincent. Sir Alfred Batemnn. the Hon. .T. ft. Sinclair and Messrs. Campbell and Tatlow left by to-night's Main express for Auckland, where thoCommissioir will begin a sitting on' Thursday. According to present arrangements the Commission will leave Auek« land for Sydney on March 24th,