Full text: Report of the banquet and luncheon given in honour of the representatives of the Dominions, India and the Crown Colonies attending the Imperial Economic Conference, London, Wednesday, 24th October, 1923

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
26 
the Chambers of Commerce played in the Empire. One of 
the first Bills it was his duty to introduce into Parliament in 
Australia related to bankruptcy, about which he knew nothing, 
and he had to rely on the Chambers of Commerce for their 
advice on that Bill. For reasons of that kind organisations 
such as Chambers of Commerce played an important part 
in the trade and commerce of the Empire. Australians 
realised that in following the high standard which had been 
set in trade and commerce in the old country they had 
justified the confidence that had been placed in them. 
Speaking as the Minister of Health and Migration, he desired 
to say that Australia offered a great opportunity for the man 
who was willing to pull off his coat and work. Every man 
in Australia that wanted it could have honest toil. (Cheers). 
The Rt. Hon. W. M. ARCHDALE, M.P. (Minister of 
Commerce, Northern Ireland), who on rising to second the 
Toast was received with loud cheering, said: I represent 
Northern Ireland, which is still a part of the United Kingdom 
—(Cheers)—though the experiment of Federal Government 
has been tried upon it by first-class brains, We are grateful 
for the opportunity of coming to this Conference and listening 
to the eloquence of men from all parts of the Dominions. 
Ulster feels grateful to the Imperial Government, and especially 
to Sir Philip Lloyd-Greame, for allowing us to meet these 
illustrious men from every part of the Empire. Many of 
them come from Ulster; I need only instance Mr. Massey. 
(Cheers.) I would like, if I may, to illustrate the benefit this 
Association has been to us. When, two years ago we started 
a Government in Ulster, we began with ga Ministry of 
Commerce and we tried to model it on the best lines. We 
found there were many strong Chambers of Commerce in the 
various towns, but when we went to them for information we 
obtained contradictory opinions. (Laughter.) Therefore we 
fostered the creation of an Association of Chambers of 
Commerce in Ulster, and I am glad to say that at the present 
time there is a strong Association of Chambers of Commerce 
in Ulster which is doing most useful work. It therefore 
affords me much pleasure to support this Toast, because this 
great Association must be most useful to the Imperial 
Government, not only in voicing the opinions of commerce, 
but also because it is invaluable to business men. This 
Association has been most kind and helpful to us in Ulster, 
and we appreciate the help that has been accorded. (Cheers.) 
The Toast was enthusiastically honoured, 
The PRESIDENT, who was received with loud cheers on 
rising to respond, said : Your Highness, Your Grace, My Lords 
and Gentlemen, I have very much pleasure in replying to the 
  
 
	        
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