H.—44.

plan of reorganization for their industry. The Department, in conjunction with the Department of Health, is now acting in close co-operation with this committee in bringing the plan to a state at which it can be considered in relation to the whole profession, and it is hoped that finally arrangements for reorganization and control will be completed to the satisfaction of all petitioners, and to the ultimate benefit of the profession and the public generally. FEDERATION OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE. It has been arranged that the triennial Congress of the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire will be held at Wellington, commencing on 2nd October, 1936. This is the fourteenth Congress of the Federation, and the event will be an outstanding one in the history of the Dominion, especially from the commercial and business point of view. This is the first Congress to be held in New Zealand, and it is, in fact, many years since the Congress was held in this part of the world, the last time being in Australia over twenty-five years ago. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister of New Zealand, and the Hon. Ministers of Industries and Commerce, Finance and Customs, Public Works and Transport, and Agriculture have accepted invitations to attend the Congress as honorary delegates. The Congress (with attendant functions in Wellington) will occupy approximately a week, and the main body of delegates will then have three weeks available for travel in the Dominion before sailing on 30th October. Free passes on the New Zealand Railways are being provided by the New Zealand Government, together with accommodation at half-rates at all Government hostels for each overseas delegate and his wife. The Government is also to tender a State luncheon in honour of the delegates. Both the Industries and Commerce and Tourist and Publicity sections of the Department have acted in close colloboration with the Department of Internal Affairs and the Associated Chambers of Commerce in New Zealand in formulating the necessary arrangements for delegates, especially from the tourist point of view. The Department has produced, in conjunction with the New Zealand Associated Chambers, a special booklet in connection with this conference, and the Associated Chambers' office has distiibuted copies of this booklet and suggested tour itineraries to the various Chamber members throughout the Empire. In addition, Trade Commissioners representing the Department of Industries and Commerce in Canada and Australia, Honorary Representatives in South Africa, and the High Commissioner in London, have been actively engaged in promoting visits of delegates and other representatives of Empire Chambers to New Zealand for this Congress. In spite of the distance which the vast majority of delegates will have to travel, and the consequent inconvenience, especially for business reasons, it is indicated from information available at this date that large numbers of delegates from all parts of the Empire will attend the Congress. The Department is now engaged in examining and considering the various draft resolutions which will come before the Congress. A number of these resolutions have a direct bearing on New Zealand economic affairs, and any decisions reached in regard to the resolutions will, no doubt, be of some moment in view of the representative and important nature of the Congress. NEW ZEALAND CENTENNIAL. This event will take place in 1940. One of the preliminary steps to co-ordinate the efforts of the various local bodies was taken by the Minister of Internal Affairs and Industries and Commerce by calling a conference on the 2nd March, 1936, to discuss generally the suggested proposals for fittingly commemorating this important event. Subsequent to this meeting an announcement was made that the Government was prepared to expend a sum up to £250,000 for the following purposes : — (1) Permanent memorials, including a national memorial to be erected by the Government. (2) By a series of historical surveys of the first 100 years of our national life. (3) By suitable celebrations both national and local throughout the year 1940. A further meeting of the Mayors of the main centres was called on the 18th June, 1936, when the Government's proposals were made known, which are as follows : — (а) Up to a maximum of £75,000 loan and subsidy for the exhibition. (б) (1) Balance of £175,000 for national celebrations held by the Government itself, or by the provincial organizations on behalf of the Government; and (2) Subsidizing on a basis of £1 for £3 moneys raised locally for local celebrations or memorials. A representative of the Department has been associated with a committee set up by the Mayor of Wellington since 1930. The Committee is definitely of the opinion that the most appropriate contribution that Wellington could make towards the Centennial would, be the holding of an international exhibition in Wellington. The Government has favourably considered the proposal and is prepared to loan £25,000 free of interest, and a grant of £1 for every £2 of subscribed capital (with a limit of £50,000). At a meeting held recently the Mayor was in a position to announce that a sum of not less than £35,000 had been promised by local bodies as share capital in the proposed public company which will be floated in connection with the exhibition project.

28