DELAY IN AUSTRALIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22654, 20 August 1935, Page 7

DELAY IN AUSTRALIA

RELIEVED BY HOSPITALITY EMPIRE SENTIMENT IN CANADA (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 19. “ I felt greatly relieved when the Marama got away from the wharf at Sydney,” said Mr Forbes, referring to his enforced stay in Sydney. “ Our party had accommodation reserved on the Wanganella, which in the first instance was due to sail on August 10, and then was postponed till August 12; btit shipping trouble'intervened, and that steamer has now been laid up indefinitely. “It was very irksome being held up in this way, especially as I was most anxious to get back to New Zealand to take part in the preparation of the business for the parliamentary session. However, our sojourn in Sydney was made very pleasant by the Commonwealth Government as well as by the State Government. We were the guests of the Federal Government, and it did everything possible to entertain us and to make us comfortable. I cannot express too high appreciation of the kindness and hospitality shown us on all sides by Ministers, officials and private individuals in each centre at which wo touched during our travels round the coast in the Maloja. The various State Governments entertained us, and pro ; vided us with facilities for seeing the many places of interest which those cities assuredly possess. “There is no doubt that there is a strong bond of friendship between Australians and New Zealanders, and evidence of this was frequently given me by New Zealand people who have made their homes in Australia.

“ In my journey through Canada, too, en route to England, I was made to feel the existence of a strong Empire sentiment. One met with kindness at every point, and hospitality was generously accorded to members of the New Zealand party by the Government as well as by the people in private capacities, I was impressed by the keen desire of the Government and the business interests to co-operate with us in every possible way in the development of trade between the two dominions.

“ They were very anxious that the existing trade agreement between the two dominions should be retained, and, if possible, extended along lines which might prove mutually beneficial,” concluded Mr Forbes.