COMMERCE CONGRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 230, 28 September 1936, Page 6

COMMERCE CONGRESS.

Auckland, on behalf of the Dominion, welcomes to-day the main body of delegates to the Congress of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire. The congress is held triennially, alternately in London and elsewhere in the Empire, and this is the first time it will have been held in New Zealand. Such an occasion occurs very seldom, and it provides opportunities for the visiting delegates, and still more for their hosts, to widen their mental horizons and to gain first-hand knowledge of the conditions and problems current in-their respective countries. The ceaseless progress in the sphere of international communications has already made possible a striking increase in the general level of knowledge and understanding among the peoples of the Empire, but there is still no adequate substitute for personal contact. New Zealand is gratified and flattered that such a large body of influential business inen has made the long journey to the Dominion. There has long been a complaint that Britain's public men and business men do not —at least while at the height of their activity and influence —visit the Dominions and become acquainted with the Dominions' point of view. Those points of view are especially important at the present time, although not more important than an understanding in the Dominions of Britain's outlook on questions of intraImperial trade. At the beginning of the agenda of the congress are three resolutions —two English, one Australian —on the subject of Imperial economic co-operation, and the discussions on these will provide opportunities for a full and frank exchange of views. In such discussions, not only the delegates, but all New Zealand, will be interested, for the Dominion has reached a point in its development at which the conclusion of stable, mutually advantageous trading agreements with Britain is of cardinal importance. Meanwhile, both before the congress and after it, the visiting delegates will be encouraged to see as much as possible of the Dominion and its people, and New Zealanders will not spare themselves in an effort to ensure that their guests carry away with them enduring and pleasant memories.