N.Z. AND SOUTH SEAS INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18242, 28 November 1924, Page 11

N.Z. AND SOUTH SEAS INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

TO TKZ ICITCS cr " riit rSES.-- ' ■ bir,—As there seems to be pome misunderstanding in the minds ot the public ss to the position of the Industrial Association of Canterbury regarding the abovp, I desire, on behalf of the Association, to state briedv the facts of the case. A;, the annual conference of the Industrial Corporation of Xew Zealand, held in C'hristchurch in February, Mr Douglas, Mayor of Dunedin. attended and said: "To-day I appear before you at- the request of the citizens of Dunedin, being the outcome ot a. representative meeting held in the Town Hall, to consider the possibility of holding a large Imperial Exhibition m the year 192:"." Messrs Todd and Wilkinson, of Dunedin, also attended ,to support Mr Douglas. A member of the conference asked a question whether the Exhibition was to be an Imperial or an International Exhibition. The Mayor replied, "An Imperial Exhibition." The other delegates also emphasised the fact that the Exhibition was to be an Imperial one. A delegate at the conference asked this question: "I would like to ask whether it is the intention to adhere to an Imperial Exhibition, or whether it is proposed to make it an international one."

ALr Douglas ('Mayor of Duneum) replied: "Wc intend to bold an Imperial Exhibition—we would give au undertaking to that effect. The deputation from Dunedin then withdrew, and the whole matter was carefully considered by the conference. The deputation then re-entered the room, when Mr Jenkin, the president of the Industrial Corporation, said: "I have to report the following resolution has been carried: 'That, in view of the Imperial Exhibition to be held in Duuedin during 1925-- ( 3, it is agreed: (a) That the next Industrial Exhibition under the auspices of this Corporation be held in Auckland in 1&--1. (b) lhat this Corporation pledges itself to give all reasonable support to the Imperial Exhibition referred to, ou the understanding that a separate court be provided for New Zealand-made goods'. C That in consideration of tlie support, of this Corporation, it be a condition ; tliat a proportion of the profits (to be determined by the Dunedin Association") of such Imperial Exhibition be handed to the Dunedin Manufacturers' Association'for propaganda purposes.' ". Mr Douglas replied: "On behalf of the citizens-of Dunedin, I wish to express our thanks and appreciation." Messrs Todd and Wilkinson also responded in the same spirit.. . • • Our Association is still, willing to carry out its part, of the obligation, and to support heartily an Imperial Exliibi-

It is not our intention to trespass-fur-ther on your space- in this matter, but tyc trust you Trill toe good enough to publish, this : letter, so that our position may be clearly seen. In conclusion, let me say there is no. bitterness on, our part. It is impossible for us to officially recognise an International Exhibition, and it is this point we desire to emphasise. Having stated our case publicly, we now nothing further to add, nor do we iutenrl to enter into any newspaper correspondence on the matter. The statements made in this letter can all be verified by the copy of : the report of the 1923 conference, which is a verbatim one. ■

For and on behalf of the Industrial Association of Canterbury.—Tours, etc., HAREY B. BEST, President. Christchurch, "November 27th.