IMPERIAL EXHIBITION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18549, 9 May 1922, Page 7

IMPERIAL EXHIBITION

MR HIAM’S RETURN. (Put UiOTXD Puxag Arsooia.tior.) WELLINGTON. May 8. Aihong the passengers by the Manuka to-day was Mr F. Hiam, agricultural adviser to the British Empire Mission, which is touring the Empire in preparation for the Imperial Exhibition to be held at Wembley Park in 1924- Mr Hiam was me.t by Mr J Collins (Department of Industries and Commerce) and Mr F. S. Pope (Department of Agriculture). He was one of the advisers to the Minister of Agriculture in Great Britain, and was one of the founders of the National Institute of Agriculture and Botany, which was opened last year by his Maiesty the King. For the last two years ol the war he was director of the vegetable supplies to the Ministry of Food.. Other members of the mission are Major E. A. Belcher, C.8.E., Colonel Christie, D. 5.0., and F. W. Bates, secretary. They will eome to New Zealand after visiting - South Africa and Australia, in about two months’ time. The purpose of the mission is to discuss with the Government and with Other interested bodies the part which New Zealand will take in the exhibition in regard to the construction of the pavilion the nature and presentation of exhibits, wie proposal for the Imperial sections dealing with the fisheries, tropical diseases, plants and animals, and also the agricultural research regarding (manures, blight, rust on wheat, and plant breeding of'every description. The mission also proposes to consider how far the dominion can supply the Homeland with her requirements. “It is hoped,” said Mr Hiam to a press representative to-day, "that at the exhibition the British public will be able to fully realise what their brothers over the seas can do. Many conferences will be held to discuss how it will be best to increase the trade and commerce throughout the Empire, and much good is sure to result.” It will be remembered that the Prince of Wales, who is president of the Executive Committee which is arranging for the exhibition, made an appeal for £1,000,000 guarantee fund. He told the Mansion House meeting that he wished to see this guarantee completed before ho left for India, and the result yas that the whole sum was found within a few days, Mr Hiam will leave for the South Island to-morrow or bn _ Wednesday, and after a week there he will go north to Taranaki and 'the Waikato districts.