THE EMPIRES FOOD.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 October 1922, Page 5

THE EMPIRES FOOD.

CONTROVERSY AT HOME DOMINIONS STIRRED. LACK OF KNOWLEDGE.

By Telegraph.—Press Aasn.— Copyright. London, Oct. 19. Mr. A. H. McMahon, chairman of the management committee of the Empire Exhibition, writes to the Press declaring that the committee fully agrees with Mr. Robert Donald on the principle of giving preference to Empire produce in restaurants. The only difference refers to the manner in which the wishes of the Dominions can nest be carried out.

The committee has been warned by its ex*pert advisers of the difficulty of enforcing the desired conditions. The task of the caterers is already forirtidable, and the committee has not succeeded in finding any firm willing to undertake the business subject to the rigid restrictions suggested by Mr. Donald. The general manager, however, has been instructed in negotiating with caterers to endeavor to meet the wishes of the Dominions, subject to the necessary exceptions, such as Havana cigars and French wines.

Regarding the use of Empire timber, Mr. Donald appears to have completely misunderstood the general manager’s report, which did not suggest that the Empire did not contain suitable fencing timber, but merely referred to the difficulty 1 in obtaining suitable material for urgent requirements from the stocks at present available in Britain. “A SEMI-FOREIGN AFFAIR.” Sir J. Connolly (Agent-General for Westralia) has Written to Sir Joseph Cook Suggesting that he should call a meeting of all the High Commissioners and Agents-General to consider the petition arising from Mr. Donald’s let--1 ter regarding the Empire Exhibition. ' Sir J. Connolly said that he would recommend West Australia not to participate in the Exhibition if it was going to be a semi-foreign affair. He had always understood that the prime aim of the exhibition was to break down the ring of vested interests which for years had been working to bolster up foreign commodities, especially food. If the Board of Trade said, as reported, that the Empire could not supply the meat, fruit, maize and cheese, it showed wilful ignorance of Dominion conditions. Even more astounding was the statement .by the general manager of the exhibition that the Dominions could not supply suitable timber for fences. Sir J. Connolly undertook to provide West. Australian fencing timber equal to, or better than any timber in the world. The exhibition of 1920 showed the wealth and variety of the Imperial timber supplies. DEMAND FOR INQUIRY. Mr. Donald states that Mr. McMahon evades the issues raised, and an inquiry into the whole business organisation of the exhibition is wanted. Mr. Donald alleges the conditions and expectations on which the Dominions gave financial support are not being fulfilled. These have been declared impracticable or impossible, without the Dominions being consulted.

The delay in regard to catering was due entirely to the dilatory methods of the management, as 20 months had elapsed since negotiations had begun. Similarly the timber requirements were known two years ago. There had been plenty of time to get suitable Empire timber. He challenged the general manager to deny that he sought advice from a foreign timber exporter, instead of consulting the Dominions. Sydney, Oct. 20. The Federal Government instructed Sir Joseph Cook to press for preference to Empire foodstuffs in the catering arrangements for the Empire Exhibition. The State Governments support this stand.

NEW ZEALAND’S VIEW. PROTEST AT THE DECISION. By Telegraph.--Fress Association. Wellington. Last Night. . At a meeting of the Empire Exhibition delegates the Hon. E. P. Lee presided. He outlined what the Government had done, and suggested that a resolution be passed on the act’ion of the committee in London, which had negatived a proposal that the exhibition restaurants should use Empire products.

The conference approved of the Government publicity officers’ proposals, and decided that a sub-committee should visit the Christchurch Exhibition. It was also'decided that the Amateur Athletic Association should he invited to assist in securing funds to send Home an athletic team. A resolution was passed viewing with great concern the decision of the London committee regarding Empire produce at the exhibition restaurants, and suggesting that the decision be reconsidered on the ground that a very valuable medium for displaying the resources of the Empire had been abandoned.