TRADE COMMISSIONERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 252, 14 March 1913, Page 4

TRADE COMMISSIONERS.

VISIT TO THE MOUXTAIX. AX ENJOYABLE OI'TIXG. Yesterday the members of the Empire, Trade Commission visiting Taranaki were taken by the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce on a trip by motor cars into the country as far as Onaero, thence back to Lepperton, on Lo Jnglewood, through Egmont Village to the Mountain, where they were entertained to luncheon, and spent an afternoon of a most enjoyable nature. Except, for a couple of liqht showers the weather wasfine.

The Commissioners consisted of Sir Eider Haggard, Messrs. William Lorimer, T. Garneti (Great Britain), Hon. E. Bowring (Newfoundland), and accompanying them were Messrs. Oreen, Carswell' (photographer to Sir Rider Haggard), and Mr. Bruce (of the Agricultural Department). The local members of the party were: Messrs. Newton King. C. H. Burgess, E. Griffiths. A. Goldwater, AY. A~. Collis, S. AY. Shaw, AV. J. Penn, Ji. Coiinett, F. >S. Johns and T. C. List.

The party, in live motor cars, had a pleasant runout to Onaero. The visitors were greatly interested in the verdant country passed through and the stock depasturing, as well as in the Maoris met with on the road and at AYaitara, where the boating carnival: was being held. Beturning to Lepper--10:1. tlie parcy went to Inglewood', the.ice to the Mountain, via Egmont, Village. The visitors were delighted with the scenery on the Mountain track, and the huge rata and other trees that lend so much interest'to the National Park. Sir Rider Haggard was much impressed with, the ratas and their strange parasitical habits, and had photographs taken of the trees in different stages of development. He took voluminous notes regarding them and other trees and plant life that the Park is so rich in, and it was with difficulty he could ho torn from the beautiful bush. However, the house was duly reached about 2 o'clock, and host Murphy and his mother had in readiness a luncheon that a general sharpened appetite did ample justice to.

At.'the conclusion. Mr. Johns, as President of the Chamber of Commerce, expressed pleasure at the visit of the Commissioners, whom up till the last moment they had given up hopes of seeing in Taranaki. Their coming, which had been brought about to a great extent by the liindlv offices of the Hon. Oliver Samuel, he considered a great honor to the district. Those who had come in contact with the members realised they were a working Commission, and not a "loafing" one, and he felt sure from the searching and keen manner in which they were conducting their work, much good to the Imperial cause would result from their labors.

At his instance, the health of the vis itors was toasted in the customary way

Sir Eider Haggard responded. Having expressed, in humorous terms, his views on luncheon beverages, he expressed thanks to the Chamber of Commerce for their hospitality and for giving him and his colleagues the opportunity of seeing what New Zealand wan like before the advent of the white man, To drive through primeval ferest had been a delightful experience. But he must say he looked with sorrow on fthe dead stumps that were to be seen everywhere in this country. As a practical farmer, of course, he knew that destruction of bush in a young country like this was necessary in order to meet the needs of man, and where destruction was imperative they had but to bow their heads. But when one saw glorious bush in ravines, in swampy and other unsuitable agricultural land ruthlessly destroyed, as it had been destroyed, then wonder seized one as to whether the proceeding was wise and, what was more, what posterity would have to say of these actions. (Applause). He had had talks with the Prime Minister on the subject of forest preservation, and. had been informed of the difficulties in the way, which he enumerated, but he would say, ''preserve the beautiful forests as a heritage for your children.'' He thought all New Zealand owed an enormous debt of gratitude to (hose people in this district who in spite of much opposition had contrived to conserve for the country the glorious reserve through which they had just travelled. . "Though I do not live here." he .said, "I feci towards those men a sense almost of veneration." He would remember to the last day of his life what he had been shown that day, and he. again thanked them for giving them the pleasure they had experienced. (Applause). The party spent an hour or two rambling in the vicinity of the house. The upper portion of the Mountain unfortunately was hidden from view by the clouds, Afternoon tea was served at about 4.30 and at 5 o'clock the return journey to town was made. The Commissioners subsequently left by the Barawa for Onehunga. Early in the morning the Hon. E. Bowring paid a visit to the oil wells at Moturoa in company with Messrs. C. Carter and H. Okcy,'M.P. WELCOMED TO AUCKLAND. By Telegraph.—Per Press Association. Auckland, March 13. The Empire Trade Commission was welcomed by Mr. S. Nathan, president of the Chamber of Commerce, who said employers in this part of the Dominion experienced the same difficulties in obtaining labor as elsewhere in New Zealand for farming, factories and workshops. The general opinion of employers was that a judicious immigration policy should be put in operation by the Government. He had reason to believe something was likely to be done in this direction.