COMMERCE CONGRESS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13546, 6 October 1909, Page 8

COMMERCE CONGRESS.

RETURN OF MR ALBERT KAYE.

Mr Albert Kaye. who. with Mr H. J. Marriner, represented the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce at the Congress of Chambers held recently in Sydney, returned to Christchurch lest night.

Interviewed by a "Press; , representative, Mr Kaye said that no fewer than sixty-eight motions had been set down for discussion by the delegates, but owing to the limited time available for business—three days only—many had to be withdrawn and the remainder, with one or two exceptions, discussed very briefly. The principal subject discussed was that of Imperial preferential trade. There was a considerable division of opinion on the subject amongst the Australian delegates. Some wanted free trade within the Empire, others had received no instructions from their Chambers, and being neutral in the matter, did not vote. The discussion continued for a day and a half, and the proposal was adopted by a large majority, the result being received with tremendous applause. The standard of oratory during the discussion was exceedingly high, and the whole debate was intensely interesting. Another important subject discussed was that relating to the naval defence of the Empire. During that discussion Mr Kaye gave a short speech on the naval policy of New Zealand. A further subject, discussed at some length, was cheaper cable communication, and on his suggestion the words "especially •with regard to Press messages" were added to the motion adopted. It seemed a pity that the Congress should sit for so brief a period, considering the long distance travelled, by some of the delegates, and the fact of the short sitting caused many delegates to refrain from speaking at all, while others only spoke for a minute or two. In any case, the limit was five minutes. All the arrangements relating to the comfort of the delegates had been attended to down to the smallest detail, and so elaborately "was the whole affair organised that the cost to the Sydney Chamber of Commerce was £3000, which had been cheerfully contributed by the members of the Chamber.

The oversea delegates, Mr Kaye added, formed a very favourable opinion of Australia, judging by what they sawwhen gravelling overland. He had expixsted' to find the country brown and parched, but owing to the late -winter rains and , early spring showers nothing was to be seen but green fields and vigorous growth everywhere. Mr Kaye stated 1 that a party of some 55 delegates, accompanied by a number of ladies, would be visiting New Zealand after they had passed through Taemania. They would arrive at the Bluff next Monday, and would reach Christchurch on the following Friday evening, leaving egain for Wellington by the next night's steamer. He sincerely trusted that suitable programmes would be arranged in the different centres visited, for the stay of the delegates at each place would , be very short end. every advantage should be taken of, the time available.