EMPIRE ENVOY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 81, 7 April 1931, Page 9

EMPIRE ENVOY

TRADE WITH AEG-EN-

■ TINE

BRITAIN'S EXHIBITION

WELCOME TO THE PRINCE

(From "The Post's" Representative.) BUENOS AIRES, 14th March. After an absence of five years, the Prince oil Wales has returned to the Argentine, to capture the hearts of the people as he could not possibly have done on his former visit. On that occasion, Britain and the Argentine were both prospering, not only in their mutual exchange. or! commodities and manufactures, but the seaborne trade of each wais pleasantly hovering near the zenith of profit. Then tho Prince was a social ambassador, an influence of goodwill; now both countries are near the low-level of depression. The Prince means business this time. He realises that ho has to live up to the reputation he has acquired from his world tours, of Britain's leading commercial traveller. Ho is out to get orders for British manufacturers: of that aspect of his tour he has left no doubt since he touched South American soil. Before the Exhibition opened to-day, the first result of the Prince's tour was apparent in causing the temporary lifting of tho depression, as far as this city is concerned. Thousands who were living on State and municipal charitable benefactions have got work in the erection of the pavilions at the Exhibition and in a score of other ways associated with it. Quite apart .from the value of the buildings erected, exhibits valued at £4,000,000 had to be landed, transported, and set in place. There are now practically no unemployed, and, during the currency of the Exhibition, work will continue to bo found for hundreds of people. FIFTEEN THOUSAND A DAY. The hotels, restaurants, and theatres •ire booming for the iirsfc time in years. The British delegation numbers 5000; there are 200 in tho mission sent from Canada, headed by Sir George Perley. At a reasonable estimate, they are spending £15,000 a day, which circulates into many avenues to provide work for the workless. It,, is this feature of the Prince's visit that will perhaps be remembered by the simple working folk more than its value in cementing world goodwill: ho cured the depression for them as no other influence could possibly have done. Lord D'Abernon's trade mission to the Argentine three years ago paved tho way for the Prince's, which is the biggest drive Britain has made to restore her pre Avar supremacy. In the present display nothing has been left to chance. Britain's supremacy in speed in the air and on land are illustrated by the presence of Sir Malcolm Campbell's automobile, the seaplane in which Orlebar won the Schneider Cup, and the motor-boat in which Sir Henry Segrave gave his life to set a new world record. ' A pronounced Argentine accent in better Spanish than that of most of those who have resided here for twenty years marked the Prince's oration in. opening the exhibition before a representative gathering of citizens. The delight of the people at hearing tho heir to the British Throne expross their native tongue in such faultless stylo broke all bounds. His fluency and correct pronunciation astounded them. It was to them, as well as to millions elsewhere, an example of what could be done in short, intensive study, even if the student were one of tho world's busiest men. A BRILLIANT SCENE. Some sidelights of the opening ceremonies: The band of the Camcrons, sent from England for tho occasion, played popular Argentine airs. Children, patiently coached in the pronunciation of English, sang "God Save the King." AVhon the Prince entered, hundreds of pigeons, thoir plumago dyed in British and Argentine colours, were released. The Exhibition covers 25 acres, and embraces practically every important British industry, with special attention to engineering and transportation industries. .The automobile show includes every type of car, from tiny runabouts, not much larger than a baby carriage, to huge, six-whoelcd lorries run by steam. Many landmarks of London were reproduced: The Tower of London, Piccadilly Circus, London Bridge; streets, alleys, and buildings; low, rambling Tudor ■architecture; sections ftf English villages; touches of British Uvuls over the seas.