EMPIRE EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18267, 7 December 1922, Page 11

EMPIRE EXHIBITION.

FOOD SUPPLIES DISPUTE. POSITION OF DOMINIONS. EFFORTS TO "CLEAR THE AIR." [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT-] LONDON, Oct. 27. The Duke of Devonshire, the new Secretary of State for the Colonies, and chairman of the Executive Council of the British Empire Exhibition, has met the representatives of the Dominions in conference, and satisfactory arrangements have been made to ensure that; the voice of the Dominions shall be heard with regard to the future policy of the exhibition. At the same time as this meeting took place the Duke of Devonshire issued to the press the following statement: —"I am glad to have this opportunity of removing the misunderstanding, which has unfortunately attained a very wide cir- ! dilation, regarding the policy which is being followed by the executive of the British Empire Exhibition, in reference to the use of materials of Empire origin both for the construction of the exhibition ! and for tho restaurants. " Mr. Robert Donald, in announcing I his resignation from the Management Committee, has thought fit to give publicity to a difference of opinion with his colleagues in such a way as to suggest ; that the committee, with one exception, ! were entirely opposed to this policy. It is hardly necessary to say that this is not so. The whole purpose of the exhibition is to demonstrate the variety and wealth Of the resources of the Empire; and it has always been the intention of the Exej cutive Council and the Management Com- ! mittee to insist 'on the application of the principle referred to to the utmost limit of practicability. Some Difficulties Feared. " It is obvious that difficulties will be encountered in the rigid application of this principle in the case of all supplies; and it is in order to obtain assistance in overcoming these difficulties that we have invited the representatives m London of the Dominions and colonies to meet us in conference and discuss the question fully. We are hoping to achieve two good results by means of this conference ; first, to secure the help of the Dominions and colonies in carrying out the principle to which I have referred; and, secondly, to make them fully acquainted with the very great difficulties which we have encountered so far in | applying this principle in certain cases." i Sir James Allen has given some in- ! formation as to what transpired at the meeting. After the matter became public Mr. Massey cabled to the High Commissioner expressing the opinion of his Government. This telegram was sent on to ! the chairman of the Management Com- ' mittee, and an arrangement was made by 'the committee to hold a conference with [ the Hic;h Commissioners. There was ! Rome very plain,speakincr at this meeting. ! It was first suggested that the Dominions 1 should be represented on the Management : Committee, but it was explained that ' the committee was purely advisory. The real executive authority was tho Executive Committee. Ultimately it was arranyed that thev should have a meeting of tho Executive Committee at once, and the His;h' Commissioner presumed from what took place at the conference thev attended that they would be invited to be members of the General Executive Council. Incorrect Data. n I think tho course wo shall pursue," said Sir James, "will he this: When the invitations come we shall cemmuni cate with our Prime Ministers asking them to nominate representatives- Ir ; all probability tho constitution of tht j Mana"< l m«nt Committee will be altered and I think if we get on the executive Iwe shall be represented on the Management Committee. We cannot be content that the advice submitted is being properly considered from tho point of view of the Dominions. We have found that some data provided by the Board oi Trade the Dominions has been j quite incorrect, and we must see that j nothing is brought no, to the Managei ment _ Committee which ' will prejudice (their judcraenfc. "It was intimated to use that the Executive Council would set up a small sub-committee to examine thoroughly into the matter that has caused the present discussion. It was quite clear from the words of the members of the Management Committee that they were all anxious to do what the Dominions desired. What wag the undercurrent which has caused the controversy was not apparent. One question which will have to bo decided definitely wi'l be : Are the food supplies for the exhibition to be purely Empire supplies, or are we to let in a certain quantity of supplies from other countries?" Meat Importers' Protest. The British Incorporated Society of Meat Importers have forwarded to' the Secretaries of State for the Colonies and Atrricmlture, tho President of the Board of Trade, trie Hicrh Commissioners in London for Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India, South Africa, and Newfoundland, and the Management Committee of "the British Empire Exhibition copies of a resolution passed at a meeting of the council at Smithfield, noting '" with dismay" tho indication that the caterine arrangements at the British Empire Exhibition in 1934 are not going to be used to the utmost, for the purpose of makin? known the merits and value of the food products produced within the Empire. "So far as meat is concerned." the resolution declares, " there is not the slishtest shadow of a doubt that every ounce of meat required for catering at the exhibition could be provided from Empire sources."