EMPIRE EXHIBITION.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 77, 31 March 1924, Page 8

EMPIRE EXHIBITION.

NEW ZEALAND'S ASSISTANCE. ENCOURAGING TRADE. SPORT AS A SIDELINE. Strenuous efforts are being made by the Government of Xew Zealand to make their contribution to the forthcoming Empire Exhibition worthy of their country, and when the handsome pavilion now nearing completion at Wembley is opened to the public it will be found to contain within its 45.000 square feet of space a graphic portrayal of the life of the Dominion, its industries and products, its people and its trade, says tlie London "Daily Telegraph," of February 2-2. Colonel Roberts, who is in London as special trade commissioner in charge of the exhibit, explained to a representative of the "Daily Telegraph" some of the hopes and aspirations that have animated the Dominion in spending £100,000 in placing before the public this exhibition of its resources: "The whole reason," he said, "is to be found in our desire to increase our trade with Great Britain, not only by means of our exports, but by a large increase in the materials we buy from you. Of course, we want people over here to ask for New Zealand produce, but we are also anxious to encourage the importation into the Dominion of more British merchandise. The bulk of our trade in medium-priced motor ears, for instance, [now goes to America, and we want to see that money diverted to our Mother Country. All kinds of machinery and iron and steel products are also in demand, and, indeed, in all classes of manufactures we wish to give a preference to Britain. But we would specially appeal to your manufacturers to endeavour to meet our requirements as far as special conditions of packing and so on are concerned. Although we may be a small market, we are anxious to do our bit to help Empire trade." ' Display of Produce. New Zealand, on her part, can point to a wonderful variety of products in which trade could be increased, and these will be exhaustively displayed in the Exhibition pavilion In the main hall will be found a wonderful collection of tourist and sporting attracions, with Maori carvings and a series of panels painted by New Zealand artists, depicting various aspects of the Dominion's life, scenery and industry. An exhibit of polished native timbers, with a lifesized figure of a New Zealand lumberman, will draw attention to an important branch of the country's activities, and amongst a group ol" red deer heads will be seen several that have fallen to the gun og the Governor-General, Viscount .Tellicoe. The Xorth Court of the pavilion will be devoted almost entirely to a display of primary products— mutton, lamb, butter, cheese, fruit, and fish, exhibited under frost in refrigerator cabinets. Amongst specimen sport ing fish will be a 5001b swordfish, caught with rod and line, and embedded in a block of ice weighing nearly a couple of tons. Xear by, and overlooking the lakes, will be a restaurant where, as far as practicable, Xew Zealand products will be served. The main feature in the South Court will be the wool exhibit, with a scries of cases containing individual fleeces of every grade of wool produced in the Dominion. A dome in the centre will be surmounted by a life-sized figure of a man shearing a sheep, with wool falling in cascades about his feet, and completely covering the dome. In the same section will be an exhibit of mineral resources,, and a display of the smaller primary industries—hemp, kauri gum, cereals, agricultural seeds, honey, etc. —and surrounding the central display will be representative exhibits of various Xew Zealand manufactures, including a motor body, rurjs, and blankets. In a cinema hall attached to the South Court the scenic attractions and industries of the Dominion will be slown in pictures, and a large reception room, with furniture made in Xew Zealand from home produced materials, will 'be used for the entertainment of prominent visitors, trade and commercial delegations. At an inquiry bureau visitors will be able to obtain information on all matters concerning the Dominion, its industries, its tourist facilites, and the opportunities for emigrants.