CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DELEGATES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2636, 19 October 1909, Page 5

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DELEGATES.

ENTERTAINED AT WELLINGTON

[Pick Press Association.! WELLINGTON, October 18. The British Chamber of Commerce delegates had beautiful weather for their entertainment in Wellington to-day. A large party were taken out to Day’s Bay for an excursion and luncheon with the Hon. T. Mackenzie, who acted as guide. Speaking at the luncheon, in proposing the toast of the visitors, Mr. Mackenzie said that, while the Old Country was increasing her important export trade, she was not doing so proportionately with rival countries. She should send her surplus population to the younger dependencies of the Empire, and not let them go to help to build up other nations. Was there room in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and South Africa to accommodate the British surplus? (Cries of “Yes, yes.”) If so, could anarkets be found for the products raised within the Empire? In this respect the question of preferential trade ought to be taken esriously in hand, not by politicians, but by competent commercial men. The toast was responded to by Messrs John Scott (Dover) and L. Foster (York), both of whom expressed warm appreciation of the hospitable way in ■which they had been received. The delegates were entertained by the Ministry at a big reception this afternoon at the Prime Minister’s residence. His Excellency the Governor and Lady Plunket nvere.present. To-night a large number of the delegates were entertained by the Yorkshire Society.