LORD BLEDISLOE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19851, 12 February 1930, Page 11

LORD BLEDISLOE.

INTEREST IN NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRY. (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—BT ELECTRIC TEIXGBAPH— COPYRIGHT.) (Received February 11th, 0.55 p.m.) LONDON, February 11. "I do not want to be regarded merely as an agricultural specialist to the exclusion of my interest in the varied activities and problems of New Zealand," said Lord Bledisloe at a dinner given by the Hon. T. M. and Mrs Wilford in honour of Lord and Lady Bledisloe at Mayfair Hotel. "I am going out prepared to place the knowledge gained in lifelong private practice and public advocacy of agriculturo at the disposal of New Zealand," -he added, "but I am desirous of listening and learning from the 'cow cockies' of the Dominion." Mr Wilford, in toasting Lord Bledisloe, said that Now Zealand was fortunate in the selection of Lord Bledisloe, who would find the highest standard of pasture management in the Dominion, where the farmers were leading the world in grassland production. The greatest problems were how best to increase production from pastures and to develop the prosperity of the Empire. Lord Bledisloe, in responding, remarked that he was gird to think that industries other than agriculture were appearing in New Zealand, and he had the best reason for believing that another industry would shortly be established with the help of British capital. He would regard himself primarily as a harmonising and consolidating agency between the Dominion and the Mother Country. Lord Passfield, in proposing the health of Mr Wilford, said that it was already recognised that New Zealand had an excellent and influential representative. They were confident of solving the delicate problem of reconciling complete autonomy of the Dominions with the co-operation of Britain. Those present included Lord and Lady Strathspey, Lord and Lady Liverpool, and the Hon. W. Pember Reeves, whose birthday was enthusiastically honoured.