OFFICIAL DINNER.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18543, 19 November 1925, Page 7

OFFICIAL DINNER.

A PATRIOTIC NOTE. NEW ZEALAND'S DUTY. (PRESS ASSOCIATION' TELEGRAM.) DUNEDIN, November 18. An official dinner to mark the inauguration of the Exhibition was tendered to-night to distinguished visitors, representatives of overseas countries, and prominent officials and private citizens. Mr J. Sutherland Bosi, president of the Exhibition, occupied the chair, and Mas supported on eitner hand hy the Governor-General and Prime Minister. Among those present were the Hon. G. J. Anderson, the Hon W. P. Stewart. Sir Pobert Stout, Sir Joseph Ward, Commodore Bealo, find ; Colonel Young (Commandant, South- ' ern Military District), heads of Church bodies in the city, the Hon. W. P. Reeves, the Trade Cominis- | sioners for Great Britain. Canada, Australia, and representatives of other ] colonial government departments, alss local and .visiting members of ParUa- ' ment. The dinner was held at the Savoy, and was thoroughly s"cces«fu]. It wa.i pervaded by a noticeable feeling of optimism regarding the future of iNe.vZealand, and the South Seas Exhibition itself, aud of the Dominion in the years still to !>c unrolled from the web'of time. The Exhibition in its physical shape, it was recognised, would prove ephemeral, but its effects would he found closely woven in the future trade relations with other countries which must develop in step with the progress of the Dominion. The toasts were only three in number. Grandeur of British History. The Governor-General, m giving that of "The New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition," referred to the display as more? an Empire exhibition than an international one. While he did not intend to deal in detail with the whole Exhibition, he felt special reference was due to the Imperial Court for the dignity of its portrayal of the Empire's historical progress and traditions. It displayed in an unmistakable manner the grandeur of the events in British history that had led to the promotion of the' British Commonwealth as it was today. "Wonderful assistance had been; given by the sister Dominions in pro- j viding displavs, and in future exhibitions in other parts pf the Empire, New Zealand would be in duty bound to give her best assistance a« a mark of thankfulness. In conclusion, his Excellency paid n tribute to the foresight aud persistency of the promoters and all concerned,' do'wn to every labourer, in bringing the Exhibition to fruition. It must prove of value, in future in the promotion of trade and travel between the various countries of the Empire and abroad- Lastly, the Exhibition would teach the children the traditions and lessons of Empire, at the same time reminding them of the sacrifices of the early pioneers whose efforts had made yosterdav's achievement possible. Mr J." Sutherland Ross, president of the Exhibition, in responding, expressed gratitude to the citizens of Dunedm for the great encouragement and assistance given to the venture. Mistakes had been made, but he believed they could, congratulate themselves on what had been accomplished. He desired to thank the Government for the assistance it had rendered. In the early days the promoters had had moments of doubt, feeling that the scheme contemplated was too large, buft as timo went on it became apparent that its scope must be enlarged, 4r lloss thanked the architect, contractors, and workmen for the wonderful team work displayed by all. without which it would have been impossible to reach a successful issue in this enterprise. The Mayor of Dunedin (Mr H. L. Taplev, M.P.)' before, proposing the toast'of "New Zealand" aroused warm applause hy reading a cable message from Earl .Tellicoe, wishing the Exhibition success. Proceeding Mr Tapley referred to the progress of. New Zealand f r pm the earliest pioneering days and jto the remarkable fortune the country had en-, joyed in the matter of national government. He recalled the leading Pre-1 miers who had guided the destinies of Nov Zealand, and declared that the country .owed a great debt to them for having* furnished so much assistance to the development of every province. ' Puty of' flew Zealanders. The Hon. J. G. Coatcs, on rising to respond, was greeted with prolonged applause. He complimented the promoters oa the success that had attended their efforts in organising the Exhibition and eulogised the assistance rendered by sister countries of the Empire. The Exhibition was a means of showing how close was our association in trade and social intercourse with other parts of the Empire. That was the first lesson of the Exhibition, but he believed nil would welcome people from foreign countries who desired to live, here, so long as they couformed to our ideas of life and government. While this whs so, however, it was the duty of New' Zealanders to give first choice to trade with Great Britain and the British Dominions. New Zealand roust give everv assistance in absorbing people from Great Britain. New Zealand must, and would, render all possible assistance to the British Navy as the most efficient means tip preserve the ocean trade highways. New Zealand believed in the principle of international arbitration, but until this could be made fully effective, it was every. Briton's duty to see to it that the British Navy was maintained, as if furnished the most reliable guarantee of general peace that was within sight. New Zealand was the home of a prosperous community, sand every means should be furnished for that community to make equal progress. Every man and woman must have equal opportunity in all cases. The under dog should be given the- fullest opportunity to make good. There were people ih the congested areas of our cities who did not have a proper chance, and it was tin country's duty to see that these people had full opportunity to climb out of the depths of misfortune into the sunshin© of prosperity. Finally New Zealanders must maintain high ideals of racial purity and constitutional Government. < The only other toast was that o"Our Guests," proposed by Mr Peter Barr and responded to by Mr R. W. Dal ton. British Trade Commissioner n Australia, and by Mr W. F. Boyle, United States Consul in Auckland. . The proceedings closed wfth the singing of the National Anthem. OUT FOR FUN. CROWDS IN AMUSEMENT ZONE. (SPECIAL TO ••THI! razss.") DUNEDIN, November IS. The Canterbury Court was well patronised to-day, and those s. who saw it compared it favourably with the rest of the Exhibition. T« e Court *** a popular place to-day with those who sought Information and relief from the stress of seeing so many, things, all there to at, Man? found

a haven in the tea room attached to tho Court. To-day the main attractions were the British and Canadian exhibits, and tho crowds who concentrated upon the Exhibition to-night made their entry to tho show through these two Courts. The British Court exemplifies the spirit of the Exhibition, and gives Dunedin an idea of the big idea behind the Exhibition. This evening the crowds spread themselves through the grounds, and especially through the amusement park. To-night* the Exhibition is gay with a thousand lights and the flags of the Empire fluttering from the buildings. The crowds enter, pause, and wonder as the Empire is unfolded before thein. There is something to interest everybody, and the walrus and the carpenter who discussed shoes and ships and sealing wax and cabbnges. and kings would find all those and much more to interest them. In the British exhibit one finds the Icings represented through the centuries, and in the other halls shoes and ships and hosts of other things. The Past and the Future. Che New Zealand Government's show was popular to-night and the visitors wero particularly interested in thc J forecasts of progress which the dis-1 play contained. Chief among these was a now type of sleeping car built by the Railway Department. It will delight the travellers who have to make the main trunk journey. Beside this modern exhibit stand examples of the railway transport of the past. In those days trains were narrow and uncomfortable. Though a number of courts have yet to be finished shere is now sufficient ready to give au idea of the scope ot the Exhibition. In the crowds which attended tonight, past and present were blended. Grey-bearded men who had witnessed tho birth and rise of New Zealand mixed with the boys and girls who are to continue thc traditions of the Dominion. In the tide of humanity which surged and broke against the grey and gold of the lighted courts, the uniforms stood out. The scarlet and tartan of the Scottish band, the blue of naval uniforms, and tho varied frockings of the ladies, made a picture of the grand court and the pavilions. In the band rotunda the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders held thc crowds with their interpretation of Scottish airs.