LATE MESSAGES

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 May 1927, Page 6

LATE MESSAGES

LONDON. May 13.

Sir G. Fairbairn, Mr Huxham and many Australian officials were present at tile overseas farmers’ warehouse, Tooley Street, when judging was carried out of Australian competition butter. Major King, of the Australian Dairy Control Board, explained. that 20 factories had submitted two cases each for competition, one case remaining at Melbourne, and one being sent to London under ordinary conditions. Judging in London and Melbourne will be simultaneous which will show the effect of transport on the various butters. The London judges are Sutherland Thompson an analytical expert, and A. C. Ross of New Zealand. They awarded points ranging from 86 to 95 per cent. Sir G. Fairbairn said he hoped that Australian butter would soon all merit 92 per cent or over, enabling it to compete against the whole world. Mr Huxham said he hoped to live to see Empire products more highly valued in Britain than at present, as well as a bigger stream of migrants to Australia. Mr Pollard, an importer, said it was an ingenious competition. The results would be very valuable, thought the human element entered through having two sets of judges. He paid a tribute to the methods of the Australian Control Board in London, which in every way ought to work harmoniously with the trade in London.

MELBOURNE, May 14.

Mr Bruce announced that the personnel of the Board to investigate aviation accidents will consist of a technical expert of undoubted standing, not connected with the Department or aviation business, who will be chairman; a representative of the Air Force with good flying and technical experience, a representative of the civil aviation branch with similar experience of the inspection of air craft, a construction officer and an officer from the Defence Research laboratories.

MELBOURNE, May 14

Mr McLeod was entertained at luncheon by leading business men, Mr Ivor Evans presiding presiding. Sir Francis Bell was present, the Chairman in proposing Mr AlcLeod’s health stated that there were great opportunities for trade between Australia and New Zealand. It was regrettable that friction sometimes was caused regarding tariff matters. For instance the dried fruit trade would be doubled if preference were given to Australian fruit. He expressed the opinion that trade difficulties should be settled by friendly arrangements and suggested that New Zealand should not bend butter to Australia when not needed, and Australia should refrain from sending flour to New Zealand at certain times. He strongly urged Australia to appoint a Trade Commissioner in New Zealand. In the course of his reply, Mr McLeod said he full realised the difficulty of the Governments concerned in making trade arrangements that would give general satisfaction, and that section of the business community were liable to regard the matter as it affected their own business. Good results had followed the visit of Mr Downie Stewart in the matter of reciprocal tariff.

He believed that further benefits would accrue in both countries, if. a visit to New Zealand of the Commonwealth Minister of Trade and Customs could be arranged. His Government had recently been considering the question of encouraging regular and more frequent steamer service from Melbourne to the Bluff, but only the expansion of trade could bring that about. Since 1911, Australia had sold to New Zealand goods valued at sixtyfour millions sterling, while New Zealan.! sent in return only thirty-seven millions. In 1911 New Zealand exports to Australia represented 11.5 of the total export trade, but the percentage had now diminished to 4.5. On rhe other hand, Australia’s share ol New Zealand's imports trade remained constant at eleven pey cent, and until trade was more evenly balanced, the unsatisfactory position was likely to continue. In recent years New Zealand had lost considerable trade in oats, hops, rimu, and timber. He wished to learn the reason. He had been informed that the Dominion’s failure to make headway in timber exportation was due to unreliability in standard of quality and measurements. If this were the case, he felt sure the millers would do their best to remedy the defects. From the national point of view, the aims of both countries were similar, therefore every opportunity for friendly co-operation in trade and tourist trail! c should be taken, also in commercial and industrial problems.

AUCKLAND, May 14.

Edward John McKay, 30, steward, who escaped from custody yesterday, and was recaptured, was sent to gaol for six months, for stealing overcoats from the steamer Arawa.