EMPIRE CONGRESS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 2 October 1936, Page 7

EMPIRE CONGRESS

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INAUGURATION CEREMONY ONE COMMON PURPOSE WELFARE OF BRITISH EMPIRE (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, This Day. The inauguration ceremony of the Congress of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire was held this morning. The address of welcome was given by the Governor-General to which the President of the Congress Lord Elibank, replied. Addresses were also given by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) and the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) and by representatives from different parts of the Empire.

In the course of his address Lord Elibank said he was gratified that Mr Savage and members of Cabinet, Messrs Nash, Lee, Martin, Sullivan and- Semple had honoured Congress by their presence and by becoming hon. delegates. The Congress would welcome their presence any time during the sessions and any expressions of opinion they might desire to give on subjects to be discussed. He also welcomed the Trade Commissioners of Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, who, as hon. delegates would be entitled to give their views on any subject before Congress. He said Congress would deal with all manner of kinds of subjects but they all aimed in achieving one big end, the promotion and consolidation of the trade, commerce and unity of the British Empire. They might disagree among themselves on details, but he thought His Excellency would find that when Congress had done its work, it would have maintained, and he hoped enhanced, the traditions for which it stood. He expressed pleasure that the Fiftieth Congress should take place in New Zealand.

GOOD WISHES FROM PRIME MINISTERS

Lord Elibank read a message from the Prime Minister of Great Britain (Mr Stanley Baldwin), Mr Mackenzie King (Canada), Lyons (Australia), General Hertzog (South Africa), the Viceroy of India and Mr George Huggins, Prime Minister of South Rhodesia.

Mr Baldwin expresses the hope that Congress will be successful in its endeavours to elaborate further means whereby the flow of interimperial trade may be accelerated, and to re-establish prosperity throughout the Empire. Mr McKenzie King said the Government of Canada was convinced that prosperity can only be achieved on a basis of free international trade. It is natural that this policy should involve as an initial step the expansion of trade between the members of the British Commonwealth in the Field of Commerce the efforts of Governments must be supplemented by the enterprise of individuals and business elements in the community in work, research and education, the Federation has rendered important service in years gone by. Its opportunities for similar service have never been greater than to-day. He sent the best wishes of the Canadian Government,. Mr Lyons in his message expressed the good wishes and hope of success in the deliberations, as also did General Hertzog. The Viceroy of India said it was his earnest hope that the result of the deliberations might tend towards expansion of world trade and prosperity, in which India and all units of the British Empire might obtain a due share.

Mr Huggins hoped the deliberations would add to the happy relations existing between the Dominions and other component parts of the British Empire.

LARGE GATHERING AT WELLINGTON

Delegates from all parts of the British Empire are gathered in Wellington to-day for the fourteenth Congress of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire which was officially opened by his Excellency the Gov-ernor-General (Viscount Galway). In addition to the overseas delegates to the congress, members of Chambers of Commerce throughout New Zealand are also in Wellington to represent their chambers. Although the delegates will have a busy time discussing remits and other matters during the congress sessions, arrangements have been made for a number of social functions at. which the delegates will be able to meet and discuss matters of personal interest to them. Members of the executive committee of the federation were entertained at luncheon at the Wellesley Club yesterday and at 4 o’clock in the afternoon the delegates and their wives were received by members of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce in the Palm Lounge of the Hotel St. George. The reception at Government House took place at 8.30 last evening. THE PROGRAMME At 1 p.m. to-day a State luncheon was held in honour of the delegates, and the congress resumed in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall at 3 p.m. During the evening receptions will be held at the Lyceum Club and by the English-speaking Union at the Hotel St. George. On Saturday picnic trips into the country have been arranged, and the delegates will have a choice of a run through the Akatarawa Gorge or over the Rimutaka Range. Sunday is free from official engagements.

The congress will sit both morning and afternoon on Monday, but the wives and daughters of delegates will be entertained during the afternoon at a garden party arranged by the Wellington Travel Club at the residence of Mr B. Sutherland, Karori. A civic reception will be given for all delegates in the Town Hall at 8.30 p.m. The congress will continue on Tuesday, and the social side of the gathering will be catered for that day by morning tea for the wives and daughters of delegates at the National Art Gallery, Buckle street, when members of the Victoria League will be the hosts, and by the Wellington

Chamber of Commerce Ball at the Town Hall in the evening. The congress will conclude on Wednesday with two .further sessions, and the overseas delegates will depart for the South Island that evening. During the day the ladies will be entertained at morning tea by the Pioneer Club, and will visit the Karitane Home, where a special demonstration is being arranged for the afternoon. The Hon. W. W. Snodgrass and Mr F. G. Gibbs are representing the Nelson Chamber of Commerce. THE RING’S MESSAGE WELLINGTON, This Day. Tn .opening the Chamber of Commerce congress, Lord Galway welcomed the delegates. He said that having perused the remits he realised that some dealt with the most important matters congress had ever had to consider.

He read the following message" from the King who is Patron of the Con- ! grass: “I send the fourteenth congress of the Chambers of Congress of the British Empire, which meets in Wellington to-day. my best wishes for a successful congress and feel sure that your discussions will help promote the j trade and commerce of the Empire.”