HUNDRED AMERICANS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 132, 27 July 1911, Page 2

HUNDRED AMERICANS.

PROJECTED VISIT TO STUDY THE COLONIES. One hundred American business men and capitalists, representative of every State of the U.S.A., nominated by the American State Governors, Federal Legislature, and the Chambers of Commerce will, if a scheme of the Spokane Chamber of Commerce is successful, visit Australia in September next year (says the Sydney “Morning Herald”). Spokane is in Washington, on the border of Canada, and is described byMr Percy Hunter, the Director of the New 'South Wales Intelligence Bureau, who was there recently, as having the livest chamber of commerce, and one of the best publicity bureaus in America. Mr Hunter addressed the members of tlie chamber, and told them that American investors and business men would bo heartily welcomed in Now South Wales. One of the wide-awake members suggested the trip, and it was decided to organise it. The objects rtf the visit are to be; 1. To study l the trade and commerce of Australia and New Zealand. 2. To study municipal government. 3. To study and develop reciprocal trade. 4.. To establish steam ship-lines her tween the and Australia, and Now Zealand. 5. To strengthen the bond of friendship and goodwill. 1 L. G. To extend a cordial invitation to the Federal Government of Australia, and to the Governments of the States, and of 'New Zealand and the chambers of commerce, ■ vto send representatives to study ,tho progress and development of the Unitoi[States; to the end that the countries be brought, into closer commercial relations. Mr Hunter, in a report to the Act-ing-Premier, states that the prominent men of Spokane arc noted for accomplishing what they undertake, and that there is every probability of the delegates being got together. He points out that this would be the best possible method of bringing Australia before the notice of America. “One of the chief needs for the promotion* of trade with America,” the report says, “Is extra shipping facilities, and from that point of view the visit would be highly valuable, as it would assist the agitation for i n extra line, and help materially in breaking down the opposition of the centre and middle west of the U.S.A. to shipping subsidies for the Pacific, and to abolish the existing harassing and restrictive coastwise prohibition.” It was recommended that the Premiers should extend through the Spokane chamber a Cordial invitation. Mr Hunter says he believes the delegates would pay their own way, but that it would greatly add to the dignity and the attractiveness of the visit if the Government were to treat the visitors as guests during their stay. Typical parts of the country only, lie suggests, would be shown to them, and these• would be all reached by rail. Railway travelling would practically cost the State nothing, and a few hundred pounds would pay the hotel bills.

In conclusion, the report reads; — “The idea of returning the visit by sending a delegation to Amcica is, ! think, a valuable one, and it might be worthy of the consideration of the Government whether a delegation from the Legislative Assembly touring Canada and the United States on a three or four months’ trip, would not bo a project worth undertaking.” The matter is to be considered by the Government. The pro posal is, of course, one that will require co-operation by the States of the Commonwealth, or, possibly, action by the Federal Government. In considering it, the Government will, in all probability, decide to onto! into negotiations with that end in