MR ROBERT BELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3958, 21 January 1930, Page 74

MR ROBERT BELL.

IMPRESSIONS OF A YEARS TOUR. AUCKLAND. January 13. A year's tour abroad has been concluded by Mr Robert Bell, of Christchurch. chairman of the World Press Congress, who returned from Europe by the Aorangi. Mr Bell, who has travelled very widely in recent years, did not on this occasion go off the beaten track, but ' e saw much of interest. After spending two months in the United States and Canada, he crossed to England, and later made a comprehensive tour of the Somme battlefields. Among the places visited were Lille, Armentieres, Arras. Albert. Bapaume, Greyvillers, Delville Wood, and Yiiny Ridge. He said he was much impressed by the completeness with which cultivation had been restored. The war cemeteries, lovingly cared for and ,ay with Howers, were like islands in a sea of corn, among which the poppies grew. A contrast was seen on the battlefield of Yimy Ridge, which was preserved in its desolation as a memorial to the Canadians who captured it. Thence Mr Bell went by way of Paris and Switzerland to the German Rhineland, staying at Hei delberg and Frankfort-on-Main, and on to Berlin, returning through Belgium to London. Mr Bell spoke in very high praise of the work done by Mr 11. T B. Drew. New Zealand publicity oliicei. in keeping the Dominion and its products ever before the eye ot the British public through weekly journals, posters, films and. last but not least, the excellent window displays at New Zealand House ir. the Strand. It was not at all unusual he said, to see people standing five Jeep in front of these windows, especially when trophies of New Zealand deep-sea angling were on view. Also, he noticed the very effective activities of Mr Neville Wright, of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, who is attached to the High Commissioner’s staff as liaison officer between the New Zealand exporter and the British consumer. Mr I Wright had done much to ascertain the consumers’ needs, to investigate complaints. and to secure recognition of New Zealand brands upon goods. Regarding Lord Beaverbrook's campaign for Empire Freetrade, Mr Beil said that, quite apart from the problems which the scheme raised in the dominions, it was evident that there would be much opposition in I Britain to anything which tended to increase the price of food. Germany at present was paying an export bounty equal to 10s a quarter on wheat, and was under-cutting the British grower. The outlook for agriculture in the Homeland was depressing, ami it was hard to see where a remedy was likely to be found. On his travels Mr Bell met many New Zealanders. “ They seemed to be everywhere.” ho said. “ I can only com hide that the Dominion's people are taking more holidays abroad than they used to do.” Mr Bell was not occupied with Press Congress business in the course of bis trip. He was appointed president in 1926. and will hold office until after the next congress, which is expected to take place in 1931.