THE PURPOSE OF THE CONGRESS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 25 October 1912, Page 8

THE PURPOSE OF THE CONGRESS.

The peoplo of Wanganui will pcrjiaps get & clearer conception of the importance of the Congress just concluded when it is stated that it is an organisation representing the business men of the entire world. The delegates to tho .Congress are of two classes; first, tho official delegates designated to attend tho Congress by the governments of fhe leading commercial nations: second, the delegates appointed by the leading business organisations of the world, who are affiliated with the Congress. Tho purpose of the Congress is to facilitate the commercial intercomso of nations, and to promote cordial relationship between them. It strives to'secure harmony of action on all.international questions affecting commerce and trade by enlisting the co-operation of the various nations to obtain uniform laws with reference to commercial matters. To this end it considers at its biennial sessions questions of international scope affecting business and business relations. The recommendations adopted by vote of the delegates are carried out by a. permanPat .eommittep./tho headquarters ~ of which ,iii%»;iTi Brussels, and which keeps m touch'^wfth-tlie constituent brisranisationa and the -governments of all countries ... ■ '..,;_. ~', ,• - •■■' _, * ■:.■''. ■(; :C-:

The. first Jnternational Cone-re.ts of of Gomwrro wj»«« -at Liegel Belgium,.''.|&y i'^)s.:,-. This meeting resulted' in the appointment- of t\ jHirmailen.fi. committee ft-nd' the' "decisioii fo hdld., these Congresses every; two veai's. Tho secmid Conors^-w^s held- in Mildii. Italy, in. .IWM!; th? thirdi>t;Pr.n2i?ev AtistriaY.rn IJHVR .and. the, fourth invLort-: do'Ti" England, in/WIQ; - ' ■,>-■■ • Theoo/ Congresses have attained a notrablo place, in, the business Jife of Europe. iTho relations ' 'between the leading commrcial organisations ;-of . Europe vV-hrch .ate included in the Inter nations! ! "C6ffgross.'and the various, European :Gavernments .have always been Jof an exiromely .cordial.nature" The interest tak^n in tho Tvork of the Congress by business, men of Highest . standing of ■.rar*o»w nationalities, together witlTthe •official recognition vouchsafed by the 'Governments of the various countries, | has ipade possible very tangible results. Ths intangible results in the promotion of international commercial good-will aro pmcticaly.incalculable. These Congresses have given consideration to a large variety of problems affectincr international commercial relations. The subjects before the Congress fue discussed at regular sessions and voted upon. If the action Taken by tho Congress is favourable, it then becomes th-e duty of the permanent com- • mitteo to take steps to make the decision of the Congress effective. This is dono either by interesting some Government to call a diplomatic conference of nations or by entering into negotiations directly with the different Governments. The method is illustrated by tho recent success which the permanent committee has attained in 6O interesting four Governments—Holland, on uniformity of legislation on bills of exchange; Belgium, on uniformity in customa statistics; Switzerland, on a fixed international calendar and a permanent day for Easter, and Italy, on tho organisation and institution of a programme for an international maritime union.