DELEGATES BANQUETED.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 252, 23 October 1926, Page 9

DELEGATES BANQUETED.

TRADE IN THE EMPIRE. LONDON, October 22. I The full commercial strength of the Empire was represented at a banquet given the delegates to the Imperial Conference by the Association of British Chambers of Commerce, the president, Mr. Gilbert Vyle, occupying the chair. I - Mr. J. G. Coates, responding to the toast of "The British Commonwealth of Nations" proposed by Sir William Lees, said he appreciated the assistance of the association in New Zealand's recent rail- I way purchases. He urged commercial i men to dispatch to New Zealand their full range of literature in order to counteract the flood of foreign matter in circulation in the Dominion. Mr. Coates said New Zealand's interImperial trade would give employment to people of the Empire. Recalling the fact that it was Trafalgar Day, he paid a tribute to the Navy as the shield of the Empire. In conclusion, he said: "We will get mutual and Imperial goodwill, quite apart from raising any question of reciprocity." The Maharajah of Burdwan (India) also responded to the toast. He urged a mutual understanding. Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister, President of the Board of Trade, proposed the toast of "Empire Trade." He said this trade would be greater if the opportunities were realised. It was important for the Empire to concentrate on her own trade. Voluntary Imperial preference was the surest basis for this. The toast was Britain's pledge to do everything possible to extend Imperial trade. Mr. Bruce, in responding, said the Empire's trade was the Empire's most vital aim. They should cease platitudinising about the glorious past and discover what was the matter in order to solve future problems which came down to a question of markets. Of these Britain offered the best in the world. Sir Francis Bell (New Zealand) proposed the toast of "Our Hosts." The chairman, in responding said the j visitors were distinguished representatives of Britain's best customers. The British Chambers of Commerce could not too closely co-operate with them.