CONGRESS DELEGATES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23014, 17 October 1936, Page 5

CONGRESS DELEGATES

ENTERTAINED AT LUNCHEON HOSPITALITY APPRECIATED TIES OF EMPIRE STRENGTHENED Appreciation of the scenic attractions of the Dominion and of the hospitality, which they had received during their visit was expressed by the overseas delegates to the Cpngress of the Federated Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire at a luncheon yesterday which formed the last official gathering during their stay in Dunedin. The luncheon, which was held in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall, was largely attended. The president of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce (Mr N. R. Wilson) occupied the chair.

FRANK ADVICE Mr L. H. Benthall (Kingston-on-Thames) said that it was a pleasure to him to have been afforded the opportunity of voicing his own thanks and that of all tne delegates to the people oi Dunedin, who had so cordially welcomed them and so lavishly entertained them, enabling them to feel so much at home. Ever, since they had left Wellington each centre at which they had stayed had vied with the others in giving the delegates an engrossingly interesting time. They wished that they might have a little time longer to enjoy these wonderful demonstrations of kindness and affection that had been bestowed upon them. New Zealanders, he believed, were wont to express themselves candidly, and they would not desire him to utter platitudes. “You have shown us,” he added, “some of your wonderful city and the soul-stirring beauty of your scenery, and some of us cannot but feel that you are in a peculiarly advantageous position in respect of this. You have something to sell to your visitors in the superb loveliness and grandeur of your scenery, and it is to be remembered that this cannot be removed. Your publications showing the beauty of your country are beyond praise, and in your newspapers you obtain a pleasing effect such as is gained in few countries. Travellers coming to your country are accustomed to enjoying a mild degree of luxury in their living conditions, and it will be of little avail to say to them, ‘ You see that we are a young country,’ especially when some of the furniture and appointments in your hotels are, shall I say, in senile decay. Opportunity, it is said, never travels with a brass band. Opportunity is like a woman who favours those who seek her out and make the most of her. Therefore I would exhort you, if it is your avowed intention of continuing to circulate these alluring publications, to see that your hotel accommodation gives less anxiety to those delightful men of your travel department who are the embodiment of courtesy and consideration.”

DOMINION’S ADVANTAGES % , Mr J,. W. Downie (Salisbury, Rhodesia) expressed the opinion that New Zealanders were a very lucky people. They had a delightful climate, and, examining the agricultural lands, he had formed the opinion in only one other country which he had visited where there were grasses such as New Zealand had. The stock was excellent, and there was great freedom from disease. He had come to the conclusion that pioneering in this country must have been a delightful occupation. New Zealand made the excuse that it was a young country, but Rhodesia was much younger and would celebrate its jubilee in the year in which New Zealand would , celebrate its centenary. He referred to the pioneering difficulties of Rhodesia and went on to say that it had a greater variety of industries than New Zealand, though they, were in most cases not so substantial. Rhodesia had been fortunate in discovering the yellow metal and had produced something like £ 100,000,000 worth of gold, its present production being £5,000,000 annually. New Zealand had no need to be afraid of Rhodesia’s production. The problems of the two countries were the same, as was their outlook towards the Mother Country. When at the Ottawa Conference he had been dissatisfied with the progress that was being made, and had consulted an official. The reply he had received had been, “ New Zealand and yourselves are the good boys of the family, and you will get attended to all right.” His real mission was to express the thanks of all the delegates for the kindness that had been shown towards them. They had enjoyed their stay and felt under a deep obligation to the Government, the local bodies, and the commercial community. WISE LEADERSHIP Sir Albert Atkey (Nottingham) said that the stay of the delegates had been very happy from every point of view, and he would like to say how much they had been helped in their deliberations by the wisdom and tact shown by their leader, Viscount Elibank. Sir Albert added that it had been his hobby to take an interest in associated effort. Voluntary associated effort in connection with any 'cause was the finest asset and training ground that any community could possess. In preaching the gospel of associated effort he had often been met by the inquiry, “ What do We get. for our money? ” He suggested that if ever that question arose when a person was asked to join the Chamber of Commerce there were two answers The first was that new friends would be made and that the person joining would meet others under circumstances that would bring out the best in any man. If the person joining did not take an active part he could join and strengthen those who felt inclined to take an active part. “So far as New Zealand is concerned,” he added, “you can add that if it is worth while for men to travel at their own expense and in their own time from the United Kingdom and other countries to take part in the congress surely that should make an impression not only on their hearts but on their purses as well.

“ Speaking for every delegate who has travelled to vour delightful country I may say that we feel that, in spite of all your generosity and the bouquets you have thrown at us we are under an obligation to you for being the magnet that has drawn us from our homes, enabling us to enjoy sights that I for one would never otherwise have seen You can rest assured that we shall carry back many recollections of your Hospitality and kindness. So we have forged a new link in the chain of Empire and will go back missionaries of Empire inspired to cultivate

what we have gained from you. If you will think of us in the years to come as sitting in our homes thinking of you we shall be fittingly repaid for travelling here.” VALUE OF FRANKNESS Viscount Elibank said he would like to emphasise the remarks that had been made by his colleagues with respect to the reception which they had received. They had come across the seas, very few of them knowing anything of New Zealand. “You have met us at the gate and while we were on the way down to Dunedin,” he continued, “ in such a way that we cannot ever forget what has been done. We have been allowed to speak our minds freely—perhaps too freely—but we have done so because we knew we were among friends and because we hoped that, on the other hand, you would, respond and speak just as plainly to us. I would like to reiterate that that is the only way in which we can continue the Empire spirit, maintaining its solidarity and the unity which we have reached.” The speakers were accorded a vote of thanks on the motion of Mr M. S. Myers. SIGHT-SEEING TOUR PARTY VISITS LARNACH CASTLE An opportunity of seeing something of Dunedin and its environs was afforded many of the overseas delegates to the Congress of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire yesterday when a round trip of the Otago Peninsula, which included a stop for refreshments at Larnach Castle, was conducted yesterday morning. Approximately 100 participated in the trip, which proved particularly interesting to the visitors, who were

obviously impressed by the excellent view pf the Otago Harbour and the city of Dunedin to be obtained from the top of the Peninsula. The afternoon was free of official engagements, and the visitors were privately entertained in various parts of the city. FUTURE MOVEMENTS The visiting delegates will leave Dunedin this morning in two groups, the first going by the early morning mail train for Invercargill, where a reception will be provided by the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce. The party will subsequently visit Lake Mananouri. Lake Te Anau, and the Eglinton Valley road, and will leave on its return to the north on Wednesday morning. The second party will leave for Queenstown, via Cromwell, this morning, and will later proceed to the Hermitage and thence to Timaru in time to connect with the party from Invercargill on Wednesday.