AN AMERICAN VISITOR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CI, Issue 11921, 19 June 1899, Page 3

AN AMERICAN VISITOR.

, : McC:;.A.,preefi, aasiatsin.t. cWef of r the'Bureau of Information of the Philadelphia Commercial Museum, is at present; staying in- Christchurch, and on Saturday night courteously afforded an interview to a representative of this journal. The Philadelphia Museum is a public institution, supported by the Government, the State and the city, and has for its object the development of international commerce. The Museum proper is a display of the- taw materials of the world, such as woods, fibres, wools, cottons, cellulose, gums, resins, spices and every conceivable pro fact. These products are gathered in all parts of the’ world by the aid of the local Governments and Chamber of Commerce, and are placed on exhibition, and, all information given to the business public without any? charge. This permanent exhibition now numbers over 100,000 specimens in commercial quantities making a. place where thorough investigation of the.,products of various countries can be quickly apd accurately’ made. New -Zealand,' 'for instance,j might derive considerable benefit from thus having-her products brought prominently 1 before the eyes of the [ business world. . In connection with, the Museum is an extensive information bureau, where systematic study is made of the various markets of the world—their needs, requirements and commercial conditions. , . In placing such data on file as may be furnished by the official publications of the various Governments, reports from Chambers of Commerce, and special, reports from more than 2000 correspondents in various parts of the world, a constantly ’ trained corps of assistants are constantly at work, indexing, verifying,, and classifying this information, so that it may be readily available for any business roan who may desire to make use of the same. This institution is an outgrowth of the commercial conditions existing in the commercial world, - arising from the lack of accurate information in regard to widely studied markets. This information is available for all business men, whether, they may be located in the United States, New Zealand, or any other part of the world, and is published without . charge. In the government of the institution .is an Advisory Board made up of representatives appointed by the Chambers of Commerce iii various parts of the 1 world. Most of the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce are already represented,. but no names have as yet been received from the Canterbury : Chamber. Any commercial man in Christchurch can at once, if he so wishes, apply for information on any subject within the range of mercantile matters or production, and the Bureau at Philadelphia will at once forward the information desired. ;

Mr Green has, on the present trip, visited China, japan,' Java, the Straits Settlements, conferring with, the Governments and Chambers of Commerce in relation to a more complete display, of their products,' and also arranging for delegates to attend the great commercial congress to be held at Philadelphia in October of the present year. It will be made up .of representatives from more than forty countries. Already twentyseven delegates have been selected by the Chambers of Commerce and Governments of Australasia. Canterbury will be represented by Mr Peter Barr, the secretary of the Dunedin -Chamber of Commerce. At this congress every phase of international commerce will be discussed, and how closer commercial relations may be secured between nations. This being the first international congress, it is expected to have a great influence upon the future trade relations of the world. The delegates attending will be able to do. much, towards extending the trade of their various countries, and from an interchange of, views, acquire much that will be of value to their various communities cm their return.

'ln reply to questions, Mr Green said that the City of Philadelphia footed all the bills, and the appropriation last year for the' purpose amounted to 125,000 dollars. The institution was altogether outside of politics, and ite trustees are appointed for life. The Museum does not trade, neither does it buy or sell, and it does not therefore com© into conflict with the interests of any trade! As a matter of fact, America bought nearly as much from Australasia as Australasia bought from her, but the amount was not shown on the statistics, as the transactions were mainly done through London. Mr Greenhas been well received throughout the Australian colonies, and the Governments and Chambers of Commerce have given all aid in their power. He is very favourably impressed with the future in store for New Zealand, and can discern advance in many lines. He considers that no country in the world has better natural advantages for stock-raising, and recognises among New Zealanders the same spirit of enterprise and push which is' such a characteristic of the Americans. Mr Green will go on to Wellington to-morrow evening, where he will interview Ministers, and , hopes to spend the 4th of July with the American Consul -in Auckland. To-day and to-morrow he purposes looking rip the Chamber of Commerce, and doing a short round of the local industries.