FOREIGN FAUNA DISPLAYS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27664, 21 May 1955, Page 10

FOREIGN FAUNA DISPLAYS

National Collection Suggested UNIFICATION OF N.Z. MATERIAL The unification of foreign fauna collections now scattered in museums throughout the Dominion will be recommended to the Museums’ Association by the Canterbury Museum Trust Board. , ' The chairman (Professor R. S. Allan) said that no one museum was displaying adequately such items as foreign birds, and these piecemeal exhibits were an embarrassment to space and staff. If the best i examples in any special field oi | foreign fauna could be gathered into a national collection at a museum where it was already strong, the feature would be more interesting to the public and more valuable to students seeking a complete range of comparative material. ’ The problem could be illustrated from two well-known cases. Professor Allan said. In the centennial memorial wing n’ow being erected at the Canterbury Museum, a New Zealand bird hall would be a major feature. The foreign bird gallery was being closed, and mounted specimens would be dismantled for study purposes tfr for small-scale temporary exhibits The Wanganui Museum, where the association recently met, had a surprisingly large and varied collection of foreign birds, btit shortage of staff and space made it an embarrassment to the development of that museum's excellent collections in ethnology and colourful local history. If one museum was recognised as the national repository for foreign birds, the others could supply on permanent loan their holdings in this special field to make a more complete collection for permanent display and from which others could, from time to time, borrow special material. Professor Allan said. Specialist staff, as curators of such national collections, would also be able to give more expert service. It was agreed that the Museums’ Association be asked to appoint a special committee to investigate the scheme and ascertain likely support. GUARANTEED PRICE SYSTEM LABOUR PARTY AFFIRMS SUPPORT (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 19. The principle of a guaranteed price for dairy product and orderly marketing on a long-term basis through the Dairy Products Marketing Commission was reaffirmed by the annual conference of the New Zealand Labour Party today, on the recommendation of the farming committee of the conference. It was also decided to set up a special committee to review all aspects of the party’s financial policy. Written submissions would be invited from all affiliated organisations, said a conference spokesman.