THE EMPIRE EXHIBITION.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 53, 4 March 1925, Page 5

THE EMPIRE EXHIBITION.

"A GRAVE SCANDAL." DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE. LONDON, March 3. In the House of Commons to-day the working conditions at the Empire. Exhibition, the pries' , of admission, and the ciuestion of. Sunday opening, were amqngth& minor subjects .of criticism from, members. These -criticisms were evoked - during a debate on a resolution proposing to- increase-..the--amount- of>'loons under, the Trade Facilities Act, to whichGovernment guarantees may be given, from f65,000.000 to £70,000,000. j Mr. W. Runciman, ■ Liberal member for Swansea Wast, complained of the looseness of the administration of the Exhibition and of the accountancy.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, Mr. A. M. Samuel, in replvincr, mentioned that the Exhibition would have been shut at one time but for the nublis spirit- shown by the Duke of Devonshire in pledging bis private fortune to the extent of £500,000 as a guarantee. This was subsequently ratified by the House of Commons as rightly transferable to the tax-., payers. Mr. Samuel said the Government would not accept a further liability. Tf more money was required someone else would have to come forward with fresh guarantees. He did not anticipate that any profits would accrue from the Exhibition this year. Sir Alfred Butt. Conservative member for Balham, described the Exhibition as "a grave scandal, involving much corruption." He demanded that a properly audited balance-sheet should be placed j before the 0 Government showing the whole financial position clearly. Mr. Samuel read a report made m January, 1024, which stated that no J corruption had occurred. I Sir Alfred Butt said he had referred to the period since that report had been issued. ~ Mr Samuel promised to consider a reduction in the* prices of admission, but said he could not permit the owning of the Exhibition on Sundays.—(Reutcr.)