WORLD FAIR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 200, 24 August 1937, Page 9

WORLD FAIR.

PAGEANT OB? PACIFIC. AT SAN FRANCISCO IN 1939. _____ ENVOY VISITS DOMINION. Envoy of. the Golden Gate International Exposition, Mr: Aylwin Probert, is on a mission to countries bordering the Pacific. He arrived in Auckland yesterday by the Niagara and will tour through New Zealand, Australia, the Dutch Eaet Indies, British Malaya, Siam, Indo-China, China and Japan consequent on an invitation issued by President Roosevelt to the nations of the world to participate in the exposition, which will be staged on a manmade island in San Francisco Bay in 1939. J

"The original idea of the exposition," said Mr. Probert to-day, "was to %s>mmemorate the opening of Golden Gate and Oakland—East Bay Bridges, but they were finished ahead of time. Now we are concentrating on the theme of Pageant of the Pacific' and we are anxioue to hare every Pacific country represented. No so much do we desire a portrayal of their industrial capabilities as their cultural and educational development. Still more important is to display the quality of 'tourism.'"

In popular usage in the United States the word "tourism," he eaid, meant the ability of a country to attract tourist traffic. "In the western States, particularly, the people are great travellers, and if _you can show them something you will have them here. I honestly believe New Zealand will gain a tremendoue. amount by the exposition. We want New Zealand to show the millione of visitors from all over the world what she hae to offer scenically. At the same time the industries* should not be neglected but their presentation should be in a romantic way." Bright Future.

For the potentialities of the touriet trade in the Pacific the writer forecast a bright future. "I think people are becoming tired of crossing the Atlantic and going to the Orient," he said, "and are now turning to the Pacific. I believe there is good deer hunting in New Zealand—that is news to me, ae it ie to most Americans—and if they knew that in the States many hunters would come here." —<•

He added that promises to take part in the world fair had keen received from every country on the Pacific from Alaska fo Panama, and at the time he left San Francisco negotiation*! were being carried out with west coast South American States. The Philippines and the Hawaiian Islands were definitely taking part, and Japan was very interested. "We hope New Zealand and Australia will come in to complete the circle," he said, adding that European countries were alsp participating. Organised by private enterprise, the project will begin in February,. 1939, and will continue until December of the same year, after which the 400-acre island, which has already been made by pumping'from the centre of San Francisco Bay, will be utilised as a terminal for sea and land 'planes for transcontinental and north and south services. For the purposes of the world fair, the name "Treasure Island" hae been chosen. The site of the exposition is only eight minutes from the centre of the city. Tremendous Cost. The total cost of the enterprise will be 50,000,000 dollars, which will be recouped from various sources. The expense of building the island was born entirely by the Bay cities, backed by Stete and Federal assistance, while local subscriptions by way of bonds and the renting of concessions are financing construction of the buildings on the island. The remainder of the outlay is expected to be returned by paid admittance. Already 7,500,000 dollars had been raised for building purposes. On a very conservative estimate, Mr. Probert considers a minimum of 25,000,000 visitors will attend the exposition, at the rate of over 60,000 an hour. International sporting events will be included on the programme, and it is hoped to have university football teams from New Zealand and Australia competing with teams from the United States, Canada, Japan and other countries.

In New York, added Mr. Probert, he had discussed the exposition with New Zealand's Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash. From Auckland he would go to Wellington to confer with officials there before going on to Australia.