CENTENARY OF NEW ZEALAND

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21708, 15 February 1936, Page 16

CENTENARY OF NEW ZEALAND

CONFERENCE OP MAYORS TO BE CALLED

(PRESS i,BSOCIA.TIOir TISLEOBAir.) WELLINGTON, February 14. Plans for the celebration of New Zealand’s centenary in 1940 will be discussed at a conference of representatives of the-principal cities and boroughs. The conference, which is being called by the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry), will be held on February 26 in the social hall ,of Parliament House: Mr Parry' said that to-day or on Monday he would, qn behalf of the Government, communicate with the mayors of cities and boroughs which were old provincial capitals, inviting them to participate. An agenda paper was being prepared which would be submitted to the mayors. “The mayors invited to be present,” added the Minister, “will not be asked to commit themselves or the people' they represent to any defined course. The sole purpose of the conference is to enable the Government to lay before a representative gathering its own tentative ideas, and obtain the views of local government representatives. The centenary of our country is a national event in its history. It is the aim of the Government that the centenary be celebrated by the people as a.whole, with■ due regard to its importance.”