COMMERCE LUNCHEON

Evening Star, Issue 22471, 16 October 1936, Page 12

COMMERCE LUNCHEON

VISITORS APPRECIATE HOSPITALITY IMPROVEMENT OF HOTELS URGED NEW ZEALAND'S CHARMS PRAISED The final official function in- honour of tho delegates of tho Federated c.iiiuiiuo.» in ui toe u.iv .ii Empire was the luncheon tendered by tho Dunedin Chamber in the Conceit Chamber this afternoon, Mr N. LI. Wilson presiding over a very largo attendance. Mr Leonard H. Bentall (London) expressed thanks to Dunedin for not only providing education but lavish entertainment. Their experiences of demonstrations and kindness mode them wish that they could have stayed longer. They had seen the varied and enchanting scenery, and some of the merchants felt that New Zealand was in a particularly advantageous position, in that it had something to ell to tourists. As a regular and considerable user of advertising space, he congratulated the newspapers of New Zealand, not only on their news side, but on the general lay-outs and control ot blocks, which gave a very pleasing effect such as was obtained in tew countries. The wished-for customers —tho tourists—were people who, largely, were accustomed to standards of comfort and some luxury in their own homes, said Mr Bentall. and it would be useless to say to them “ We are a very young country” when the appointments and furnishings of some of tho hotels were in “ senile decay.” Opportunity never travelled with a brass band; like a woman, it favoured those who sought it out, and made the most of it. New Zealand circulated alluring publications over the world, and the country should see that its hotel accommodation gave less anxiety to those officers of the Tourist Department who were the embodiment of courtesy and consideration to the tourists. (Hear, hear.)

“My main impression is that you are a very lucky people in this country,” said the Hon. J. W. Downey (Rhodesia), .who remarked that pioneering work in-the Dominion must have been very pleasant indeed. The speaker briefly traversed the difficulties of opening up n country of the extent of Southern Rhodesia. New Zealand was a much better settled land than his, and one that had been pioneered longer. However, the outlook both held towards England was on the same basis. Concluding, he expressed the thanks of all the delegates, specially those from outside England, for the generous treatment they had received during their stay in Dunedin and throughout New Zealand. Alderman Sir Thomas Atkey (Nottingham and London), whose speech was described by himself as a “trifle ” after the solid food of the previous speakers and was shot with humour, said the delegates had had a very happy journey from every point and they could not express how much they had been helped m their deliberations by the wisdom and tact of their noble leader (Viscount Elibank). Tact was one of the most valuable assets in life. A business man once told him that if he had two applicants for a position who wore each 100 per cent, efficient and, with once man possessing 90 per cent, brain and 10 per cent, tact and the other 90 per cent, tact and 10 per cent, brain, he would select the latter for the vacancy. “ As one who has taken an active part in associated interests, I say that voluntary associated effort, whether it be political, religious, or commercial, is the finest asset and the finest training ground for any community of people,” said Sir Thomas. “In preaching tho gospel of associated effort in various directions, I have often met with the query, when asking people to join, ‘ What do we get for our money?’ I am not suggesting that you have the question put to you when you ask men to join the Chamber of Commerce. (Laughter.) But you may meet it. and I suggest two answers. The first is: ‘ If you join you will meet new friends, you will see sidelights of men, who, perhaps, have appeared undesirable to you. You will meet them in circumstances that tend to bring out the best in every man, though ho may be your keenest competitor.’ And, perhaps, another answer could be given as far as New Zealand is concerned; ‘lf it is worth while for men to travel at their own expense and in their own time from the United Kingdom and the utter-most parts of the British Empire, the businessmen of New Zealand, if there is any trace of sportsmanship left in them, should assist the movement.’ ” Speaking for all the delegates to “ this delightful country,” Sir Thomas said they would take hack memories rich with appreciation of the hospitality and kindness extended, and the feeling that they hail forged another link in tho chain of Empire. They would return to their own countries as missionaries of the Empire, inspired by what they had gained from New Zealand.

Responding to the chairman’s invitation to address them, Viscount Elibank pointed out the things that were achieved by a delegation of the nature of the present one. An advantage that could not be obtained in any other way was that important men drawn from different parts of the Empire could speak on such occasions as tins luncheon and give views and expound their knowledge of the lands from which they came. He emphasised the remarks made by his colleagues apropos the reception that had been accorded the delegates throughout New Zealand. They had been treated in the friendliest fashion. They had been allowed to speak their minds freely—perilous too freely—but they had done so because they hoped their hosts would respond and speak just as plainly. He reiterated that only in that way would the Empire spirit be continued. On the motion of Air Maurice Myers (immediate past president of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce) the speakers were accorded a warm vote of thanks.