EMPIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10696, 17 August 1912, Page 6

EMPIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

THE RECENT CONGRESS.

■REPORT FROM MASTERTON

DELEGATE,

The following report from Mr T. G. Mil-son, who represented the Masterton Chamber o/f Commerce at the Empire Congress, was rend at the meeting of the Chamber yesterda :y Bedford Park, London West. June 17th, 1912. (Received 31st July.) The President, Masterton Chamber of Commerce, Master ton, N. Z. Dear Sir, —In accordance with your request that ! -should represent your Chamber at the eighth Congress of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire, I duly presented my credentials to the President, and he lost no time in placing their privileges at my disposal. I must say that it was-the unanimous verdict of the representatives that every thing was done to make us feel at home and comfortable, which I can assure you wiv duly appreciated by us. All the representatives were invited by the King (including their wives) to a garden party at Buckingham Palace. Owing to the wet weather the reception took place in the Throne Room, which was a verv grand affair.

The meetings of the representatives were held in the historic Guildhall, Loudon, and were presided over by Lord Desborough with great skill and judgment, which gave the utmost ..satisfaction. His: handling and guiding through many important and delicate subjects, created among all present admiration. It was a remarkabb gathering of men of all shades of political opiixcns, which were in a gre.it measure buried, at anyrate, for tin time, in the interest;: of the great Tmperij] question. You will observe from the programme posted you that nil the civilised world was represented. North America, Canada, East Indies, Africa, India. China, Japan, Eranee. Belgium, Italv, Australia and New Zealand.

Jt was-decidedly pleasant to hear Now Zealand coupled so frequently with si-.! much that was discussed in connection with Impr-rial matters. There appeared quite » tender feeling among the old country representatives to their youngest child—The country that gave the Dreadnought.

Canada, I thought, stood out as the country that is to play a great part in the future of the Empfre. Without her remaining a partner equally with the others it cannot stand. If she throws in he,r lot as a partner there will be no question of the stability of the Empire and of its long life.

You will notice by the Official Programme that New Zealand representatives- names are included in the schedule under the heading of Australasia. There is a feeling in some, quarters that Australia is inclined to overshadow her neighbour, not place New Zealand first -in the public eye. Quite naturally, T presume, At nnyn'ts, bo that so or not, One 8? tllO W»gton representatives asked that Ne»' Zealand should be placed under its own heading in future schedules, which was agreed to. This should be satisfactory to our Dominion. .With the programme enclosed to you is a list of official invitations, but we have received others to visit mauufactur ing centres. This generous treatment will convince our Chamber that England has been decidedly geiieroii.s to her representatives.'.

' I in:iy state that 1 took uc |.arf; m the discussions of the council, but' I did religiously use raj' vote 'n accerdancfi with my judgment on subjects that came before the Council.—l remain, Your obedient servant', T. (!. MASOX.