AN AMERICAN DELEGATION.

Evening Star, Issue 14626, 24 July 1911, Page 10

AN AMERICAN DELEGATION.

A HUNDRED INVESTORS AND BUSINESS .MEN TO STUDY COLONIAL METHODS. On? hundred American business men ind capitalists, representative of every State of the U.S.A., nominated by the American State Governors, Federal Legis.at lire, and the Chambers of Commerce, ivili, if a scheme of the Spokane Chamber .if Commerce is successful, visit Australia in September of next year (says the ' Sydney Morning Herald'). Spokane is in Washington, on the border of Canada, 3nd is described by Mr Percy Hunter, :he Director of the New South Wales Intelligence Bureau, who was there recently, as having the liveliest Chamber of Commerce and one of the best publicity bureaus in America. Mr Hunter, in adIressing the members of the Chamber, told them that American investors and business men would be heartily welcomed in New South Wales. One of the wideawake members suggested the trip, and it was decided to organise it. The objects of the visit are to be: 1. To study the trade and commerce of Australia and New Zealand. 2. To study municipal government. 5. To encourage and develop reciprocal trade. 4. To establish steamship lines between the U.S.A. and Australia and New Zealand. 5. To strengthen the bond of friendship and good-will. 6. To extend a cordial invitation to the Federal Government of Australia, and to the Governments of the States and of New Zealand, and the Chambers of Commerce, to send representatives to study the progress and development of the United States, to the end that the countries be brought into closer commercial relations.

In a report to the Acting Premier of New South Wale?, Mr Hunter states that the prominent men of Spokane are noted for accomplishing wiiat they undertake, and that tnere is every probability of the delegation bein£ got together. He points out that this would b© the best possible method of bringing Australia before the notice of America, and would help to abolish the -existing; harassing and restrictive coastwise shipping prohibition. In recommending that the Premiers should extend through the Spokane- Chamber a «ordiai invitation. Mr Hunter says he believes the delegates would pay their own way. but that it would add" greatly to the dignity and the attractiveness of the visit it the visitors were to be treated as State guests during their stay. Typical part? of the country only, he suggests, H-ould be shown to them, and these would >e all reached by Tail. Railway travelling would practically cost the State nothing, »nd a few hundred pounds would pay the iote-1 bills. In conclusion, the report reads :

The idea of returning the visit by sending a delegation to America is, I think, a valuable one. and it might be worthy of the consideration of the

Government whether a delegation from the Legislative. Assembly touring Canada and the United States' on a three or four-months' trip would not be a project worth undertaking. The matter is to be considered by the Xew South Wales Government. The proposal is, of course, one that will require co-operation by the States of the Commonwealth, or, possibly, action by the ■Federal Government. In considering it the Government will, in all probability, decide to enter into negotiations with that end in view.