COMMERCE ON THE MEND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18894, 17 December 1924, Page 13

COMMERCE ON THE MEND

CONDITIONS IN BRITAIN.

BRIGHTER PROSPECTS NOTED.

POLITICS AND BUSINESS.

SIR G. FENWICK'S TRAVELS.

The preser:t political and economic condition in Great Britain was discussed by Sir George Feuwick, of Dunedin, on his return by the Maheno yesterday from an extended tour in America and Great Britain. Sir George agreed with tho statements of several other business men on the boat, that British trade and commerce were 6teadily on tho mend, an improvement to which recent political events had largely contributed.

The great unrest and uncertainty as to tho futuro which existed during the Labour regime had, said Sir George, given placo to a moro hopeful spirit sinco tho advent of the Baldwin Government. Undoubtedly there wero many difficulties to be faced, but the business community could get ahead with its plans with the confidence inspired by the promise of political stability.

Tlie uncompromising attitude of tho late Chancellor of tho Exchequer, Mr. Philip Snowden, to the interests of tho Dominions, as disclosed in his Budget speech, his cold, almost heartless, attitude in sweeping away the McKenna duties, which had done much to help struggling industries, his uncompromising hostility to Imperial preference—all had done much to alienate those who had the true interests of tho Empire at heart. Therefore the sweeping triumph of tho Conservative party at the polls, with a promise of stable government for many years to come, was received with a sigh of relief and gratitude throughout Britain, as no doubt it was in other parts of tho Empire. Press Conference at Melbourne. " Of the hospitality of London to visitors from overseas in this memorable exhibition year, much has been said, but it is not possible to convey an adequate idea, of it," said Sir George. During the whole of our stay, there was a constant succession of invitations to all kinds of public and private functions, among the most memorable being the garden party at Buckingham Palace, a very brilliant affair at which 8000 visitors were present, and a similar and most enjoyable function at Hampton Court given by the Prime Minister, Mr. Ramsay MacDouald."

Sir George renewed acquaintance with prominent English newspapermen, and met a number of others for the first time. Many of them, he said, intended to be present at the great Empire Press Union Conference, to be held in Melbourne in September next. It had been arranged that the journey to Australia should be made via Vancouver and New Zealand. At Vancouver the Canadian delegates would join the party. Great preparations were being made at Melbourne for the conference, which was to be attended by tho Governor-General on the opening day. It was estimated the cost of the gathering would be about £40,000. An enthusiastic account of five weeks spent in Southern California was given by Sir George. He was particularly charmed with the delightful surroundings of Pasadena, Santa Barbara and San Diego, all beautiful residential towns to the south of Los Angeles. Los Angeles itself was a city of vast business activities, with very heavy street traffic, requiring even greater care on the part of the pedestrian than that in the bustling streets of its sister city, San Francisco. In both the traffic control problem was acute, and was causing the municipal authorities great perplexity. Stimulus of Oil Industry.

In Los Angeles there were evidences of great progress, which was being stimulated by the great strides the oil industry had made. The wells were situated within less than an hour's motor run from the city. In a comparatively small area there were' scores of towering structures at the heads of the wells, and their product had contributed much to the activity and extension of the port of Los Angeles, whose inhabitants talked of the day, not far distant they imagine, when it would rival the shipping trade of San Francisco. The return journey via /Suez was marked by exasperating delay?} owing to engine trouble and the waterfront troubles at Australian ports. A section of the turbines of the P. and 0. Company's steamer Mongolia broke down in the Bed Sea and was oidy repairer! after four days and nights of exhausting work by the engineering staff. The repairs were carried out in temperatures ranging from 130 to 150 degrees. Further delay occurred at Australian ports and valuable cargoes for Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne had to be carried on to Sydney owing to the Mongolia being declared "'black " by the strikers, Even the mails had to be discharged by the ship's stewards and Lascar crew.