EXHIBITION COST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 176, 26 July 1940, Page 9

EXHIBITION COST.

MINISTER GIVES DETAILS.

VOTES ON THE ESTIMATES

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

A vote of £18,084 in the estimates of the Department of Industries and Commerce in connection with the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition was referred to in the House of Representatives yesterday by Mr. Holland (Opposition — ChristchurcTi North). "Just what has the exhibition cost the Government?" he asked. He did not say that expenditure was not warranted, but the public was entitled to know the amount of expenditure on the venture. He also asked for an explanation of a vote of £5500 for tie New York Exhibition, considering that in the (previous year £9442 had been expended.

The Minister of Industries and Commerce. Mr. Sullivan, said there had been a straight-out grant of £50,000 for the Exhibition Company, and £36,000 had been invested in shares. The company's account had. been guaranteed up to £125,000 for overdraft, while the cost of the Government court was £75,000. The overdraft now stood at approximately £70,000. Against that sum the Government had taken over the buildings, estimated to realise £50,000 and the furniture, valued at £5000.

In respect to the New York Exhibition, the Minister said it was not anticipated that when the exhibition reopened New Zealand would again be represented, but the United Kingdom and other parts of the Empire had decided to be represented at the re-opening and New Zealand had also consented, to follow euit.