AN AUSTRALIAN VISITOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13398, 29 January 1907, Page 6

AN AUSTRALIAN VISITOR.

CHAT WITH THE HON. WM.

KNOX.

IMPRESSIONS OF NEW ZEALAND.

Amongst the visitors who have just, concluded a few weeks' pleasant holiday-making in this colony is the Hon. William Knox, of Melbourne, a member of the Federal Houseof Representatives. Mr. Knox is precident of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, and of the general council of the Chambers of Commerce of Australia, and also occupied the position of a Commissioner for Victoria of the New Zealand International Exhibition. Mr Knox, who wan i, guest at the luncheon tendered to Sir .Joseph Ward by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce yesterday, left on his return journey to Australia by the VVimmera lust evening. In the course of a chat with a L;;u.u,n reporter Mr. Knox stated that, he had just spent a very enjoyable holiday at Koioru*,. Ho is warm in Ids praise of toe attractions of the colony's wonderland, which lie says only needs to be seen by visitors from other lands to be appreciated. "No one," he .said, " has any idea of what a good holiday wan be spent there, ami 1 cannot say too much in favour of the Tourist Department and the splendid way in which they cater for the entertainment of visitors. I am only sorry that 1 could not find time to spend a month there, but i am looiking forward to coining over again next year with my family, and having a good holiday amongst the wonders of your Hot Lakes district." Mr. Knox had visited Auckland previously in 1892, and of course he noticed the great change that has taken place in the city since that time. "1 am particularly struck," he said, "with the great encroachments on your harbour, in the form of reclamations of the foreshore. This is a sign of progress, and so far one does not appear able to know where it is going to stop. Your city, as well as the colony generally, seems to be in a most flourishing condition, and everywhere 1 have found signs of prospeiotii contentment." " What were your impressions of the Exhibition?" " Taike it all in all it. is a very excellent one. 'tin* situation is one of the most beautiful that could be desired, and the displaj itself is a very fine and instructive out?." Questioned concerning the matter of re ciprocal trade between the Commonwealth and New Zealand Mr. Knox expressed himself strongly in favour of a reciprocal treaty between the two countries, and said ho hoped that the close communication that would take place between .Sir Joseph Ward and Mr. Deakin in connection with their attendance at the Imperial Conference would result in some satisfactory arrangement of the kind." "There is another matter of great importance," Mr. Knox continued, "to which .Sir Joseph Ward did not refer in the course of his speech, but which must hulk largely in the discussion at the Imperial Conference, that is the future of the control of the islands in the Pacific. It is to bo earnestly hoped that what has happened in connection with the New Hebrides will not be repeated. This is a matter in, which Australia and New Zealand are able to give the Imperial authorities useful advice, and as it is a matter of great; moment to our interests in the Pacific, it, is to be hoped that Mr. Deakin and Sir Joseph Ward will keep it under the close notice of the Imperial Government." "The Australian squadron "Yes, that is another matter of common importance to our two countries. In Australia we do not think that our present contribution is at all a large one, having regard to the great advantages conferred in tin l protection of our trade and commerce: but the feeling there is in the direction of establishing an Australian navy, and efficiently equipping our harbour and coastal defences, rather than toward- increasing the present subsidy to the Imperial authorities." Mr. Knox said that he had, of course, gained a. good deal of information regarding the land question in New Zealand, but it, lx>ing such a controversial matter he did not care to express an opinion regarding it. As to our labour laws it, struck him that whilst they worked well to a certain extent, the limiting of the number of apprentices in a trade seemed likely to give rise to a scarcity of skilled labour, and thus cause a groat number of inefficient men to be employed. Mr. Knox is returning to Australia in order to be present at. the first meeting of the new Federal Parliament next month. The position of the Deakin Ministry, ho states, is much the same as before the." elections, and he does not conceive of any party luetics being adopted that, will prevent Mr. peakin attending the Imperial Conference in the capacity of Prime Minister of the Com mou weal th.