SIR JAMES PARR IN ROME

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4633, 8 December 1934, Page 6

SIR JAMES PARR IN ROME

A BUSINESS CONVERSATION.

ITALY. EXPORTING BUTTER AND CHEESE. London, October 26. Sir James Parr has recently .returned to London from Italy, whither he went for a brief motor tour at the conclusion of the League Assembly proceedings at Ge'neva. All who know the High Commissioner are aware of his keenness to bring New Zealand produce to the front in countries where its merits may not be known, and to keep it there once an interest is displayed. New Zealand is anxious to exte'nd her markets, and there seemed a likelihood that Italy might be interested.

In view of the fact that the meat eaten on the Continet is chiefly veal, with practically no mutton or lamb, Sir James thought there might be an opportunity, during his stay in Rome, to advocate Italy’s becoming a customer of the Dominion in this respect. While he was in Rome, it happened unfortunately that Signor Mussolini was elsewhere, so that an interview with him was impossible. But Sir James obtained an appointmeht with Signor Suvich, II Duce’s second in command, with whom he spent a really delightful hour. Signor Suvich arranged that the High Commissioner should meet the Italian Minister of Corporations —the Minister in charge of Trade and Imports. As Sir James is not an Italian linguist and the Minister did not feel competent to carry on a long converastion in. English, interpreters were bought in and were kept busy for two hours, while the conversations proceeded.

When told that New Zealand would greatly like to extend her market in Italy, the Minister became keenly interested. The secretaries brought in maps of the world and when they were laid out on the table the Minister devoted an hour to a close study of the islands of Newi Zealand and their economic possibilities, and asked a great ma'ny questions. Sir James Parr commented upon the general use of veal in the hotels and elsewhere, and he suggested that the Italian people would soon get to like lamb if they had the opportunity of tasting it. The Minister asked about the price, and when told expressed a doubt whether New Zealand could supply it cheaply enough. There was the question of freight to be considered, as lamb would require to be reshipped from London to Genoa, unless some arrangement could be come to for bringing the meat via the Suez Canal. Australia had some such arrangement with the shipping companies, and sent her meat via Suez.

* The Minister was personally greatly interested and very sympathetic, and he felt sure the reaction of II Duce would be favourable. “I think,” said Sir James, “the matter should be worth following up. As a matter of fact, I have already given a full account of the interview to the Prime Minister, and I intend speaking to the representatives of the Meat Board. I asked about the prospects in Italy of our butter and cheese, and I was much surprised to learn that these necessary commodities are being exported by Italy, so that there is no hope at all of New Zealand butter and cheese being imported.” Signor Suvich gave Sir James a most pressing invitation to luncheon when he could meet the Cabinet, but he had not time to remain as his brief stay in Rome was drawing to a close, and he was continuing his journey via the French and Italian Rivieras, with Monsieur George Gripe'nberg, the Ambassador for Finland, and Madame Gripenberg.

“I notice the Highways Board proposes to permanently surface several miles of the Great South Road between Hamilton and Ngaruawahia, remarked a Te Awamutu resident after a motor trip; “but it is a pity the Board did not concentrate its energies upon the road south of Hamilton, which I consider is in, an even worse state now than at any time in the past four years. What it will be like with the, extraordinary traffic of the Christmas holiday season cannot be imagined.”

Lady: How much are the peaches, please? Hawker: Penny each, lady. Lady: I’ll have one, please. Hawker: Givin’ a party, lady?

She (at the dance): Would you mind if I danced this next one with Bill? Escort: Not at all! Not at all! She: You needn’t say it so enthusiastically.