NOTED VISITOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22578, 17 November 1936, Page 10

NOTED VISITOR

LORD HARTINGTON SHORT STAY IN AUCKLAND IMPRESSIONS OF DOMINION CONTACTS WITH GOVERNMENT Regret that his visit to Now Zealand has had to be of such short duration was expressed by the Marquess of Hartington, Parliamentary UnderSecretary of State for Dominion Affairs, who arrived in Auckland last evening at the conclusion of a brief (our of the North Island. "The main part of my official duties," Lord Hartington said, "is to assist in providing some form of contact between the Dominions and the British Government. 1 feel that 1 shall be able te carry out those duties much better now that I have at least somo little knowledge of your beautiful country and its people." Lord Hartington arrived in Auckland accompanied by Lady Hartington and the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, and Mrs. Jones. The Minister and Mrs. Jones joined the visitors at Frankton yesterday morning and travelled with them through the lower Waikato. Empire Air Mails Discussing his visit Lord Hartington said ho had appreciated greatly the opportunity of meeting the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, and other members of the Government. Ho had not attempted to discuss with them officially any Empire problems of the moment, his principal desire being to meet members of the Government personally. Lord Hartington declined to discuss recent trends of legislation in Now Zealand, .stating that the Dominion was fully competent to manage its own domestic affairs. One point of interest which Lord Hartington mentioned was the projected Empire air mail service from London to Now Zealand. He said no difficulty was anticipated in having the service in operation by the beginning of 1938. "Wo realise fully the importance. of such a service," Lord Hartington added. "My wiie and 1 travelled from Singapore to .ustralia bv air - and that gave us ample proof of the manner in which air travel can destroy isolation. I can quite appreciate that the proposed service from London will mean much to New Zealand." Imperial Conference

Lord Hartington said that matters of considerable Empire importance would come up for discussion at tho Imperial Conference to be held in Eondon next year. It was probable that economic and commercial matters would be somewhat in the background and that attention would be concentrated more on proposals for increased Empire co-operation in various spheres. Genuine delight was expressed by Lord Hartington with what he has seen in New Zealand. "1 would have liked to spend much longer at iaupo, he said. "Quite apart from the fishing it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. New Zealand landscape, with its green fields, marvellously clear air and grand mountains, provides a glorious spectacle." . Lord Hartington yesterday visited the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company's factory at I"rankton, where lie inspected all the stages in the manufacture of dairy product®, and also the Frankton box factory. Later he inspected the land development scheme organised in th© Waikato by Mr. IJ. V. Bryant and a visit was paid to the Ruakura State Farm. Mr. apd Mrs. Jones accompanied Lord and Lady Hartington throughout the day. Dominion's Farm Lands The productive possibilities of the Dominion's farm lands did not escape Lord Hartington'p notice. "The country through which we passed on our way to Auckland looked magnificent, he said. "It looks as if you could grow anything you wanted here and as much of it as you want, too. I was particularly impressed by the fine, healthy appearance of the stock on the farms. After their arrival in Auckland, Lord and Lady Hartington were the guests last evening at a reception given by the Auckland branch of the Royal Empire Society, at which Mr. Jones represented the Government. Before returning to the Grand Hotel, where the visitors are staying, they drove to tho top of Mount Eden to sec the panorama of the city by night. To-day the visitors, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Jones, will visit the Hobsonville Air Base and the Devonport Naval Base. They will be accorded a civic reception at tho Town Hall at 12.15 p.m. to-day and will leave by tho Awatea this evening for Australia. Lord Hartington will attend tho centenary celebrations in South Australia and will spend about six weeks in the Commonwealth before returning to England.