INTERNATIONAL EVENT.

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

INTERNATIONAL EVENT.

MESSAGE FROM KING.

POPULARITY OF THE PRINCE.

IDOL OF SOUTH AMERICANS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received March 15. 8.15 p.m.)

NEW YORK, March 14,

The Buenos Aires correspondent of the New York Times says: To be in trade ought never again to be an odium to Britain for British trade was raised almost to the level of the sublime to-day upon'the Occasion of the inauguration of the British Empire Trade Exhibition by the Prince of Wales.

British marines formed a guard of honour in the grounds and the band of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders played the national anthems of Argentina and Britain.

King George sent a message to the people of Argentina calling their attention to the importance of the exhibition. The opening was accompanied by all the pomp and glory of an international event. The Prince's vigorously applauded address was broadcast by wireless and was heard in Britain as well as in North and South America. He spoke in English and for a brief time in excellent Spanish. Never has any foreign visitor to Argentina made himself so popular as the Prince of Wales. Undoubtedly he would be elected President of the Republic tomorrow if he wanted that position. His popularity in South America is incredible. Only part of the attraction he wields is due to his being of Royal blood. The rest is simply owing to his ability to make himself extremely popular without trying to do so. FEATURES OF SHOW. GOODWILL OF AMERICANS. GERMAN TRADERS PERTURBED. (Received March 35. 5.5 p.m.) BUENOS AIRES, March 14.

The Union Jack was flown to-day at the British Empire Trade Exhibition in Palermo Park from three of the fastest craft in tho world. They were the British seaplane which won the Schneider Cup race in 1930, the speed-boat in which Sir Henry Segrave died after creating a world's record, and the motor-car Golden Arrow in which he established the land speed record. The British-made goods in the great trade show ranged from the largest locomotive in South America to jewels of raindrop size. Canada showed £IO,OOO worth of pictures of Canadian scenes.

Although the exhibition is generally admitted to be an effort by British manufacturers and producers to win commerce away from Americans, local American business organisations look upon the fair with the heartiest goodwill and hope it ■\yill be successful. Many Americans,, in fact, have co-operated with the British in prcparaation of their exhibits. American road machinery was lent (not sold) to tho organisers for a street of buildings within the grounds. American loudspeakers and telephones were installed. The Germans, rather than tho Americans, are upset by the exhibition. They are demanding that their Government shall make soYne official gesture to assist German trade here. They argue that in a fight such as this between British and Americans lliey ought not to stand idle.