EMPIRE. CONGRESS.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18704, 2 August 1932, Page 9

EMPIRE. CONGRESS.

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE. WELLINGTON AS VENUE. ENTERTAINMENT OF VISITORS. “The minimum number of delegates expected can be set down at SO, and •probably most of them will be accompanied ivy their wives,” reported the Finance Committee of the Council of i the Wellington Chamber of Commerce upon the congress of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire, which is to be held in Wellington in October, 1933. The committee recommended that tile Wellington Chamber should agree to take over the details and arrangements for 11 1 0 welfare of the visiting delegates and their families during their sojourn in Wellington. The committee also suggested that a special Congress Committee, should 1)0 set up by the Wellington Chamber, lire special committee being given power to co-opt members and representatives of oilier organisations to co-operate in the arrangements. Big Hall Wantod. “Accommodation will ho required for from .100 to .150 people,” the eomj mitten reported. “In all probability j the Parliamentary Buildings will he I occupied about the time of the congress, and some other meeting lull

may have to be considered. For the 1930 congress It is to be mentioned that the Corporation of the City of London gave the use of the Guildhall. “At previous conferences the'social arrangements have received much attention. For the 1933 congress the Prime Minister lias already promised that the Government will give a State banquet to the delegates and their wives and others; and in all probability, ar in Other Dominions where the congress has been held, there ' will be a Vice-Regal reception, either j afternoon or evening. At the banquet j there can be anticipated to attend I 200 to 230. I “At this early dale tiic total num- j ber of overseas visitors is uncertain, but advice just, received from London stales that already the names of a j dozen delegates are known. The j minimum number of delegates expeeled can be sot at 80, and probably ; most of them will ho accompanied by J tlipic wives. Olliers will lie attached | to I lie congress delegation, who may j wish to participate in certain of the | hospitalities to lie arranged; for in- j stance, inquiry lias been received from j Canada, as to whether 30 or 10 extra ! travellers to Now Zealand with the j ntlleiat delegation could be so entertained. One Hundred Lady Visitors. “There will probably lie 100 women for whom excursions will he required ; to he organised during the period of j their slay in Wellington. 'Hie special j congress committee suggested to hoi set lip could consider a programme in j this cmmeetimi. Among Hie sugges- I lions abends received have been one ! for an excursion around the harbour, t J

with luncheon at Soames Island as guests of the Wellington Chamber I members; another for a motor run via j Paekakariki Hill, Alcatarawa and Ilult ■ Valley; another for a motor excursion j over the Rlmutakas to the Wairarapa; i anti no doubt many others can he conjsklered in the framing of a proj gramme. Efforts could be made for i prominent sporting events and tour- ! namonts, shows, etc., in the DoI minion to be held adjacent to tho coni gross dates. Already offers have been j received of honorary membership for j Hie delegates and privileges of several ! clubs. j “The committee has no doubt that tho members of the Wellington Cham- | her of Commerce will respond spon- ' taneously and wholeheartedly in lookdug after the needs and comforts of ' the Empire business men and their j families who come to the congress Jas representatives of chambers of 1 commerce throughout the British Doi minions. | “From Wellington the delegates I will probably continue through New j Zealand and visit various centres and j places of interest.” | The report was adopted, and the ! present Finance Committee of the | chamber was appointed a congress committee, witli power lo co-opt other members.