BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18150, 13 August 1924, Page 2

BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION.

NEW ZEALAND PAVILION. (raoa oris oww coKßEsroirorn-.) LONDON, July 2. A visit to the New Zealand Pavilion at the British Empire Exhibition after a few days' absence reveals the fact that the frozen fish have arrived, and have been duly installed in their refrigerated cabinet. The two swordfish have been picturesquely arranged against a background of rocks and seaweed, and a section of the case is made to appear as if it were the bottom of the sea. Each swordfish has such a setting to itself, and they certainly make an attractive display. The two broader sides of-tho glass cabinet arc similarly arranged as the bottom of a New Zealand river, and the trout are hung as if alive in their natural habitat. The exhibits, especially the formidable swordfish, are attracting a good deal of attention. There is some satisfaction in finding the pavilion complete, although it is nine weeks since the Exhibition opened.

A serious deficiency in another direction, however, has to be recorded. Five weeks ago five films ivere available for exhibition In the cinematograph hall. During the week that followed another half-dozen became available. New Zealanders were pleased with these, as they helped to make up for shortcom-ings-in other directions. It was anticipated that the remainder of the forty films, which it was said had been prepared, would be available very shortly. The first appeared on May 24th, but up to the time of writing the changes have had to be rung on eleven films. Word was received yesterday that a film dealing with the meat industry and three others dealing with the daily life in the Dominion had been despatched on May 27th. These should be in London now. It is understood, however, that the meat film was seen by members of the Meat Board some time before Mr Massey sailed for England last year. It is naturally very difficult to understand at this side of the world what has been happening to that film since then. Then there are the remaining films —what has become of them! Have they been despatched yet? Speculation appears to be useless, and the Exhibition officials here do not seem to be supplied with any information concerning them. By some means th.i Exhibition Committee in Wellington seem to have stumbled on to an excellent method of advertising the Dominion. They have spent thousands of pounds in erecting a large cinematograph hall which can be filled many times a day, and now they fail to provide the films to show in it. That there has been some deplorable ' mismanagement and lack of vision in several directions is quite obvious. Those in charge at Wembley are further anxious because by constant use the few films available are not improving.

Attractive Postcards. Postcards illustrating Dominion scenery ha%'e arrived, and Messrs Tanner Bros., who have certain, rights over them, have taken a stall in the pavilion. The very comprehensive series depicts scenes of the thermal regions, glaciers, and the Southern Alps, Wanganui Eiver, the Southern Lakes, Stewart Island, the fiords, Lake Waikaremoana, and all the principal cities. They are certainly very attractive, and in the few days they have been on view a great many have been sold. A universal postal franker (the patent of Mr Ernest Moss, of Christchurch) ie being displayed in the pavilion, and visitors may have their postcards franked and posted on the premises. The company which has purchased the rights of this patent for Great Britain has had to make certain alterations to comply with British conditions. Whereas the machines used in New Zealand have a credit metre, those used in this country require prepayment. When the full amount prepaid is exhausted, the machine automatically locks itself, and has to be visited by a post office official in order to be put into action again. The advantages of the postal franker are. quite obvious, and this New Zealand patent is being taken up very freely by all large firms in Great Britain. Other countries which are making use of them are the United* States, France, Switzerland, South Africa, Uruguay, Brazil, and the Irish Free State. Clearly the days of the stamp collector are numbered!

Eoyal Visit. Last week the King and Queen of Denmark visited the New Zealand Pavilion, and were received by Sir James Allen, Mr A. F. Koberts, and the principal members of his staff. The Royal visitors inspected the exhibits, and expressed themselves as highly pleased. They greatly admired the figured rimu panelling and the rimu furniture in the assembly room, and spent some time, in the Maori House, where Mr Te Kiri explained some of the Maori customs' and art. A group photograph, including the King and Queen of Denmark, was taken before thej left the pavilion.