THE EXHIBITION PROPOSAL

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25445, 17 March 1948, Page 4

THE EXHIBITION PROPOSAL

Directors Meet Mr Fraser

NO DECISION YET No final decision about the holding of the centennial exhibition in Christchurch in 1950 was reached yesterday when the Prime Minister (Mr - P. Fraser) discussed the project with the provisional directors and members of Parliament.

He was very glad £o have the opportunity of discussing the matter, said Mr Fraser, who referred to the report he had received from the directors and which he had sent on to the heads of Government departments in Wellington for comment before the Government could decide on a subsidy. He had to confess he that when he previously received a deputation he did not see all the difficulties that would arise. Even if the exhibition could not be held, the Government still considered it its duty to assist any centennial celebrations. Auckland had an exhibition in 1913, Dunedin one in 1925 and Wellington in 1940. Obviously, if there was to be another exhibition it would be the turn of Christchurch. If the exhibition could not be held in 1950, would the committee consider holding it in 1952 or later? Christchurch would still have fiwst call. “The main point I want cleared is that Government assistance is not contingent upon the holding of an exhibition,” he said. “We have no illusions, about the difficulties of holding an exhibition in two years’ time,’’ said the Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews). “One of the greatest difficulties is the uncertainty of the international situation, but if the exhibition is to be held it is very necessary to know at once.” Commenting on the report from departmental officers. Mr Andrews said there was no intention of importing otegon timber. “We say we can build the whole exhibition with pinus insignia from our own plantations,” ne added. “Other things depend on import licences and We were wondering what the chances Were of getting them. We want openly ana candidly to discuss the possibilities and if it is the opinion we should stage some other form of celebration for the centennial we were going to ask that we have priority, btit you have anticipated us.” Mr Fraser: That, in my opinion, is a fair thing. Mr Andrews: The main question is the advisability, under present conditions, of holding the exhibition or postponing it until a more convenient sea; son. No Imported Timber “We went to a lot of work preparing the report given to you, Mr Fraser,” said Cr. J. E. Tait. “We never were unconscious of the difficulties confronting us, particularly regarding building. We were disappointed when we gat the report from Wellihgton. It dealt with many things that were not of great assistance to us. It is not intended to use any oregon timber in the exhibition building. We have 20,000,000 board feet of timber in the City Council’s plantations at Burwood. “I think it can be hummed up as I have put it in this report. ‘Present indications are that, with Government co-operation in granting overseas licences to import, the exhibition building could be erected. The success of the exhibition will be determined by the availability of exhibits to fill the space provided in the buildings erected. It is difficult to forecast the trend of world affairs in 1950, but if the present unsettled state continues or worsens, the success of the undertaking would be seriously jeopardised.’ ”

The directors estimated the salvage value of the timber at 9 per cent., yet the departmental officers put it at 75 per cent., added Mr Tait. The important thing was the urgency of the situation. Trie directors felt that if they did not get an answer from the Government within a few days it would be impossible to hold the exhibition, said Mr A. M. Hollander. ■ - Mr Fraser: Better say a week or a fortnight. I have to go back to these people and they may be wrong. I hoped we would have got a better report. “Many of us feel the exhibition is possible. We do, of necessity, require Government assistance, and if we can’t get it we can’t hold the exhibition.” said Mr Hollander. “As far as the foreseen difficulties are concerned we have answered all the questions. If there are international difficulties I am not competent to deal with them. That is entirely a matter for the Government.” If it was felt that 1950 was not an opportune time to hold the exhibition, he would suggest it be held in 1953, said Mr J. R. McKenzie. England was holding a big exhibition in 1951 and there might be a chance of getting the exhibits sent here. Mr Fraser: That might be worth thinking about I think Dunedin did that for its exhibition. Mr Fraser then asked if some of the directors could go to Wellington to meet the departmental officers and thresh the matter out. Project Suggested Cr. J. L* Hay asked if, in the event of the Government saying it would be unwise to go on ‘with the exhibition, could the Government give Canterbury some project, such as the tunnel road, for its centennial. Mr Fraser: I would be very glad to bring that before the Cabinet. Nothing could be more worthy than what Dunedin has done and, if an exhibition is impossible, Canterbury, which has a pageant of history, should have fitting celebrations in 1950. But do not give up the idea of an exhibition. “I thought the report a very good typewritten wet blanket,” said Mr S. G. Holland, M.P. “There are two main questions. get the exhibition ready? The directors say yes. I say have it if the Government says the international situation is not against it. We are all ready to accept the Government’s decision on the international situation. With a deterioration in the world situation it may call for reconsideration of the whole project The Government has got to make the decision on that and it is a major

Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.: The right procedure is- for the matter to be discussed in Wellington. The international situation and obtaining actual exhibits are major questions. We want the exhibition but we have to face the fact that the world situation is very doubtful.

He had given the matter considerable thought and he considered Christchurch would be well advised to defer the exhibition, said Mr J. Mathison, M.P. He doubted whether-an international exhibition could be run in conjunction with the centennial celebrations. Celebrations should be held similar to those in Dunedin and the international exhibition should be deferred to a later date. Mr Fraser said he would arrange for the directors to meet a committee of departmental officers in Wellington for further discussion.