FREE TRADE FOR EMPIRE

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1929, Page 13

FREE TRADE FOR EMPIRE

SIR JAMES PARR’S CRUSADES ... - ,1- ? ■ .w| “DIFFICULTIES NOT • / - “BRILLIANT IMPERIAL BAGMAN.!’ t • rBy Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. ' London, December 17. The chief interest in the Empire/.League’s farewell luncheon to Sir James Parr was his personal announcement.■that his relinquishment of the High : Cor -nissionership would not mean ; tho end of his zeal and activity for the Empire. . ; “I may confess,” he said, “I have pledged myself to give my time and energies J to the furtherance of the great cause : of Empire free trade, known as free'4 trade within the Empire. It has its .diffi- ■ culties, but I am convinced they are not insuperable. The thing can be done, and I propose to help it all I can. I am sure the maintenance of the Empire largely depends on closer and freer com- . mercial relations between the Mother--land and the Dominions and colomes. - We have not yet scratched the surface of the Empire’s immense potentialities. . “I think we fail lamentably to make the best use of the great estate which our forefathers bequeathed us. 1 think 1 can best serve New Zealand and your ; sorely-tried industrialists by staying in the heart of the Empire and devoting myself to the splendid caiise of stabilising the wonderful Commonwealth of British Nations. ' ' - i ? “I shall next year engage actively in 5 the work of educational propaganda, which I will continue till the goal: is won.” . ‘ Lord Islington, v.Lo presided, quoted a ■■ friend’s, remark that Sir James Parr was the best Imperial bagman who ever came to London. He added that Sir James’/ career was a brilliant one, whether je- .i garded in a civic or political light, or finally in his Imperial activities. Mr. L. C. M. S. Amery, who was also present, remarked that seldom was there c ch a modest disposition combined with / such successful bagmanship. w Among other guests were Lords Bledisloe, Clarendon and Inchcape, and all the Agents-General. _ *’J