BUENOS AIRES FAIR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20823, 16 March 1931, Page 9

BUENOS AIRES FAIR.

OPENING BY PRINCE.

BRITISH EMPIRE -EXHIBITS.

PLEA FOR MUTUAL TRADE.

STRIKING SPEECH MADE

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright,

(Received March 15, 5.5 p.m.) BUENOS AIRES, March 14

The British Empire Trade Exhibition was formally opened by the Prince of Wales to-day in Palermo Park, Buenos Aires.

His Royal Highness referred to the pleasure it gave him to inaugurate personally the exhibition, which was the objective of the journey to South America of himself and his brother, Prince George. He had no doubt that with the help of modern inventions and science he could have performed the opening ceremony without leaving London, 15ut that would have been inadequate to express his sense of appreciation of the exceptional importance of the exhibition to the future of British trade with Argentina, and the debt of gratitude the British nation owed the Government, people and press of Argentina for their assistance, and the welcome extended to the exhibition. Enterprise of British Industry. The creation of the exhibition—the first occasion for British traders from the United Kingdom and the Empire to make a combined exhibit of their products in this manner and on this national scale—was the work of the British Chamber of Commerce of Buenos Aires. The chamber would not have been able to organise it if it had not been offered generous co-operation by the Argentina llural Society, which had placed its spacious grounds and buildings at the disposal of the chamber.

That was a contribution of great material value hut it represented something even greater. Its moral significance was the goodwill of the people of Argentina toward tho people of Britain and toward the products of British industry. This exhibition was the British response at a time when the tide of prosperity had receded and tho activities of trade everywhere had slackened. The participation of British manufacturers had exceeded all tho estimates and expectations formulated in better times. This was indicative of the spirit of enterprise of British industrialists and the confidence they felt, not only in an early recovery of prosperity in Argentina, but also in their own ability to maintain and extend their trade relationship with the Republic.

Special Features Described.

Continuing, the Prince said: "Argentina will see represented hero every British industry which can aid her _ development and an assembly of products chosen with special regard to the particular needs of this country. In the various transport sections arc engines which will carry us swiftly and safely, whether by sea, rail, air or road.

"Manufacturers in Argentina will find the latest mechanical equipment, pastoral or agricultural. They will make acquaintance with many modernised types and standards. The housewife will seek among the applied arts some of the inspiration which converts a mere house into a home, for it is not only in mass production but in beauty and fitness of individuality that true progress lies. "The pavilion of the Dominion of Canada will show fully and graphically for the first time to Argentina the national progress of another great nation in the north, which is developing its vast resources in a way that must be full of interest to this country, which has so many similar economic problems.

Value of Reciprocal Trade

"There is a spirit of revival among British industrialists," said the Prince, "and this exhibition is a sign of it. The dislocation of the old, highly-organ-ised methods of industry and commerce lias given way to the period of reorganisation now ending. The process of adapting the mechanism of trade to new conditions is almost complete. "England has refreshed and restrengthcned her original powers. The countries which have suffered most from the prevailing economic depression are those with the largest foreign trade. Britain and Argentina are together in that category. Their export trade per capita is almost precisely equal. Foreign trade is vital to the prosperity of both. "Failure to recognise trade as an interchange and the obstacles placed in the way of reciprocal trade are perhaps' the main causes of the world's present troubles. If, as we all hope, the response of the purchasing public of Argentina to the appeal of this exhibition leads to some measure of revival of industrial prosperity in Britain, and consequently to a diminution of industrial unemployment, the certain reciprocal result will- bo an increase in British consumption of Argentina's meat and cereals.

Cultural and Social Contacts.

"Interchange, however, has no narrow meaning restricted to commerce. Of equal significance is the development of mutual cultural knowledge. England desires an exchange with Argentina of ideas and visitors as well as goods. This exhibition will liavo that effect."

His Royal Highness then spoke briefly in Spanish, laying stress upon the value of personal visits as opportunities for forming cultural and social contacts. Ho invited Argentinians to visit Britain. In conclusion, tho Prince said: "I dedicate this exposition to tho people of Argentina and confidently entrust its success to their care." The Prince' decorated the President of tho Republic, Lieutenant-Colonel Jose F. Uriburu, with tho Grand Cross of the Order of tho Bath. Later lie presented other decorations to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, War, Marino and Interior. His Royal Highness made his appearance this evening at a grand ball on tho flying deck of the British aircraft-carrier Eagle. He is to leave Buenos Aires at dawn on Monday by aeroplane for Cordoba, whore ho will remain until he :s ready to board a steamer for home.