SIR GEORGE FENWICK

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 12017, 20 December 1924, Page 6

SIR GEORGE FENWICK

RETURNING AFTER WORLD TOUR POLITICS AT HOME. PROSPECTS OF PREFERENCE. Sir Georg 6 Fenwick and Lady Fen- ■ wick have returned to New Zealand, both in the best of health. They have thoroughly enjoyed their tpur of eleven months, and. during its course have visited many parts of America, some portions of France and Italy, and,' of caurse, spent part of their time iri England and Scotland. They shared in the overwhelming hospitality extend- ■ ed to oversea visitors in London, and had the difficulty in keeping pace with their multitudinous engagements. Sir Geeorge tOok the opportunity of renewing the acquaintance of many old friends in the newspaper world and of meeting new friends m journalism. He was pleased <(hat the members of the Empire Press Union Conference will travel from Britain to Melbourne, via Vancouver, touching New Zealand before going to Australia. Referring to the political situation at Home, Sir Choree said that although he left London two days before the election, there had been for a week previous, a feeling of rising hope, amongst financiers, manufacturers, and in trade circles generally. The change from unrest and uncertainty prevailing during the regime qf the Labour Government was most noticeable. The new Government, of course had its difficulties ahead, but he felt that people at Home would settle down, and matters would become more stable. Sir George referred to the New Zealand section at Wembley, and Said that despite opinions to the contrary he unhesitatingly declared the Dominion was represented by a show of frozen meat, wool, dairy produce and other things which was not. excelled by anything of the kind at Wembley. ' EMPIRE PREFERENCE. Sir George, while in London, attended a meeting of the Chambers of Commerce of the Empire, and the question of preference tq the Dominions was discussed. Hardly a dissentient voice was. raised against the principle. With the return to; power of the Baldwin Ministry, Sir George said ' that the whole question assumed' a different form, and undoubtedly the decisions of the Imperial Conference would now be given effect, and without, much delay. . “There is no doubt’ now that the political future* of Great Britain is in better hands,” wadded Sir George, “that trade will revive. . .The Labour Ministry’ had a dampening effect On trade, but now greater confidence' is , expressed. There was also, before I , left, a keener desire to put capital into, ventures which would have . .been shunned, under Labour rule. , . , ‘ ‘Another i matter of the t utmost importance to Australia and "Flew Zealand,” concluded ' Sir George, Fenwick, “is the Singapore base. . , The - general feeling manifested after the victory of the Conservative Party had taken place was that the Singapore base would be established. There is little doubt in. my mind that it will be carried into effect almost at once.”