Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2. 1936. EMPIRE COMMERCE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19135, 2 October 1936, Page 4

Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2. 1936. EMPIRE COMMERCE

New Zealand lias every reason to be gratified at t'he holding in its capital of the nongross of the Federated Chambers of Commerce of the Empire, not only because the selection of the venue confers an honour upon the Dominion, but also because of the valuable contacts it makes possible between representatives of this country and those of other parts of the Kmpire. The overseas delegates who have arrived (hiring the past week include some of the outstanding figures in the world of finance and commerce, men who are recognised authorities in their respective spheres, and whose opinions on various 'Subjects cany undoubted weight. They meet primarily to consider questions of general Imperial interest, to do v'.se steps which can be taken in the best interests of the Empire as a whole, and to endeavour to reconcile the conflicting viewpoints of the component units. The task inevitably presents some complications, but the proceedings, nevertheless, are more simplified because of the unity of purpose which always characterises negotiations between countries of the Empire and which is so frequently absent in a. wider search for international agreement. Nor does the congress dim at benefiting the Empire at the expense of the rest of the world; rather does it seek to elaborate the accepted British policy of encouraging worldwide recovery by setting an example in the conduct of the business of the Empire and thus making possible a general expansion of trade. The congress meets under auspicious circumstances, for the recently-concluded agreement between the three principal financial Powers for some measure of currency stabilisation provides a new basis on which to construct improved international commercial relations.

Apart from this general aspect, New Zealand should particularly wetcome (lie .opportunity for bettor acquainting delegates from other parts of the Empire with various phases of life in the Dominion. In the past, this country lias suffered immeasurably from its isolation, and the consequent lack of knowledge of its affairs, and the congress offers almost unparalleled scope for the making of invaluable contacts. In this respect, New Zealand has boon fortunate in recent weeks, for its distinguished visitors have included a former Prime Minister of Canada and the Premier of New South, Wales, while the Commonwealth Minister of Defence, accompanied by a retinue' of

experts, i.s at present negotiating with

the Government on various question's affecting l>o!h Dominions. These visits :\if an indication of the gradual annihilation of space, a development t'hn.i was 'never more .strongly emphasised than in the fact that it. has been found possible to hold an. Empire congress in this remote part of the world. They mean n breaking down of the barriers of ignorance, and must pave the way to a better understanding and nn improvement in Empire relationships. During their stay in New Zealand, the visitors will learn something of the attractions of the country and of the hospitality of its people and their intense loyalty to the Mother Country and the Empire. More important, they will he better able to comprehend itho motives governing the various policies that have been adopted, the vast possi-

bilities ami the many difficulties of the groat primary industries which depend upon the maintenance of the goodwill of Great Britain, the need tor the establishment and expansion of secondary industries, and such related factors a.s tariffs, the high exchange rate, problems of immigration, and the importance of preserving British shipping in the Pacific. A fuller understanding of nil these things, and more, will be carried overseas by reason of the visit of the present large and influential delegation.

If would be a serious mistake, however, to assume that the visitors are the only ones who have anything to learn, for New Zealand should be able to profit immeasurably from the advice which they are fully qualified to give. It is an unfortunate fact that the independence which is such a characteristic quality of the Dominion should not be unaccompanied by a measure of arrogance—a belief iii some quarters that we have nothing to learn from the rest of the world, but everything to teach it. Such a - * spirit is suggestive of the pride that goeth before a fall, and the tendency is one that: should be guarded.against. In the past there have been distinguished visitors and experts from overseas, and not infrequently they have been held tip to lidicule and their advice spurned. It is to be hoped that the same mistake will, not be made on this occasion and the guests sent away with the feeling that New Zealand is akin to a spoilt child determined to go its own wilful way regardless of the opinions of those who, by reason of their knowledge and experience, are well qualified to speak. Rather should the aim be to take the fullest advantage oi the galaxy of brain and ability that has, for once, been assembled in the Dominion, to reap the maximum benefit from their advice, and to accept in a spirit of humility whatever aid they are prepared to give towards a solution .of the Dominion's many difficulties. If this attitude is adopted, New Zealand should, in more ways than one, be the richer for its contact with the notabilities who have been attracted to its shores.