EMPIRE RELATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 242, 13 October 1925, Page 5

EMPIRE RELATIONS.

WHAT PRESS CONFERENCE REVEALED. DIFFERENCE OVER SECONDARY INDUSTRIES. ACCESSIONS TO POPULATION. SIR GEORGE FEXWICK'S OPINIONS. "The New Zealand delegates all feel that the conference has been a complete success. From the Australasian point of view, it was manifest that the delegates from England and Canada were enthusiastically concerned with the development of trade within the Empire and the industrial problems brought under their notice. It is assured that much good will result from their visit and observations.' - So declared Sir George Fenwick, the veteran New Zealand journalist, who, with Lady Fenwick, returned this afternoon by the Maunganui from the Empire Press Conference in Australia. Both from the English and Dominion standpoints, particularly in regard to the question of migration. Lord Burnham and his colleagues were tremendously interested. It was assumed that this must result in large accessions to the Dominions- 5 populations. In stating this. Sir George made it clear that the English delegates recognised fully the difficulties of migration, but he was sure that these difficulties would be surmounted in the future deliberations concerning the question. One such difficulty which Sir George quoted as an example was that of British immigrants arriving in Australasia with a fair amount of capital anil desirous of entering into farming straight away. Another problem which had to be solved was that of the absorption ot skilled workmen with the trades of the Dominions. As a rule, the unions in Australia felt that there was no field for additions to their ranks in the meantime. This problem in all its aspects was receiving the earnest consideration of all the delegates. Divergent opinions were held, said Sir George, on the question of inter-Empire trade. S-jme of the delegates were diffi- ; denl in -"the Dominions pushing their j secondary industries and thought that I they should confine themselves solely to the development of the primary industries. "We in Xew Zealand know full well that the development of the secondary industries means a great deal for Xew I Zealand.'' declared Sir George. "So it I is in Australia, and it does not require I any special arguments from mc to bring i this home to the Dominion, for our people are fully cognisant of the importance of this side of our national development. "I may say that the New Zealand delegates thoroughly enjoyed the tour, which they made through New South Wales and Queensland. The enormous scope for development forced itself home as we travelled through the great cane fields of Queensland, and as Lord Burnham expressed it, 'Queensland, in all probability, is destined to be the greatest and most progressive State of the Commonwealth.' "