PREMIERS FETED

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 December 1926, Page 5

PREMIERS FETED

VISIT TO POTTERIES.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, November 29. After a quiet couple of days at the Glen Eagles course, spent id golfing, when the Scottish mists permitted it, on the world’s most famous links, Mr Bruce journeyed .last night to Crewe, and this morning he saw the sun for the first time since leaving Edinburgh. He breakfasted at the country home of Sir Edwin Stockton, tlie host of many of the Australian cricketers, and he afterwards motored to Stoke-on-Trent, and met the New Zealand Premier, Mr. Coates. The party then inspected Meakin's Potteries, and afterwards Doulton’s Potteries. Mi'. Bruce was photographed when working the modern equivalent of the ancient potter’s wheel. Then he autographed the backs of a number of plates, into which his signature will be permanently baked. He also saw a holder full of plates for Australian buyers in their own design. The party next attended at the Town Hall a luncheon given by the Chamber of Commerce and the pottery owners of Stoke-on-Trent. Later they heard children’s choral singing in the King’s Hall. Instead of enclosing the certificates of freedom of the city in caskets, the Council gave Mr; and Mrs. Bruce a beautiful tea service, and Mr. and Mrs. Coates a set of Wedgwood vases. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce then entrained for Birmingham, and Mr. Coates’s party left for Sheffield.

Mr. Coates and Mr. Bruce were presented with the freedom of Stoke-on-Trent. The former, in replying to the address, said that the heart of every citizen in New Zealand would beat a little faster, for the honour they had done him that day as New Zealand’s representative. He hoped the children’s attendance would impress them with the proud heritage of the Empire, which everyone must build up and make stronger. New Zealand would never forget the terrific burden borne by Britain during the years of the war. “If ever the need arises again.” said the Premier, “New Zealand will be with you to a man!” MR BRUCE AT BOURNVILLE. LONDON, Nov.*3o. Favoured with a sunny but cold day, Mr Bruce, accompanied by the Lady Mayoress of Birmingham, visited Cadbury’s Works at Bournville, and saw“ ten thousand employees carrying out every process of the manufacture. Every one was impressed with the lofty rooms, excellent welfare, recreation and bathing provisions, especially he cheap dining hall, in which 5000 are accommodated, and the continuation schools, where the work girls are taught three and a-half days in the week in work hours.

Mr Bruce remarked on the cheeriness of the employees, and was not surprised to learn that the girls were most reluctant to forsake the opportunities of games and companionship for the comparative loneliness of matrimony. It is learned, that Cadbury girls marry throe years later than the average Birmingham girls. After a tour of the Bournville model housing area, the visitors were guests of the directors at lunch, at which Mr Briice. said be would like to see all industries conducted on similarly perfect conditions.

After seeing this pattern of cleanliness, the party went to quite the reverse, John Wright and Eagle Company’s Gasfire and Gas Oven Works. Mr Bruce was photographed making a easting among a group of grimy workmen, who cheered him for not spilling a drop of the molten metal. Later Mr Bruce made a hurried visit to the Electric Company’s Works, where he was also photographed before a huge motor turbine, destined for Broken Hill. To-night he will be the chief guest at the Chamber of Commerce dinner. A LABOUR JIBE. LONDON, November 29. Replying in the House of Commons ’to ari inquiry by Sir Harry Brittain, ’as. to what the Imperial Conference had accomplished, Mr Amery (Doiriinidiis Secretary); said: We based ourselves on the Dominions’ complete equality, of status arid unity under a common crown, thus giving clearer expression to equality in constitutional .procedures N MriT.hurtle (Labour): Is it not the best redm,meat that the Empire now exists in name, only ? Mr Amei’y: Mo!