GOVERNOR OPENS FAIR

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31142, 19 August 1966, Page 1

GOVERNOR OPENS FAIR

Christchurch was a deceptive city, with its gracious spacious character, its magnificent gardens and the unrivalled Hag ley Park, said the Gover-nor-General (Sir Bernard Fergusson) when he officially opened the New Zealand Industries Fair last evening.

“1 was astonished to be told that the city also boasts more than 1100 factories,” he said. Sir Bernard Fergusson said that when he toured the fair he hoped to see goods of high quality and of a high standard of workmanship and durability in a wide range and variety.

“Not long ago an exhibition

of this size and scope would not have been possible in this country,” he said. “Manufacturing on a large scale was slow to begin in New Zealand but New Zealand’s secondary industry is now on the march. It is making impressive progress. “We are producing not only for ourselves but also for export. Although our earnings in manufactured goods are still small in relation to those earned by our traditional primary products, they are growing and growing fast. “Last year they amounted to nearly £l5 million—loo per cent increase in only three years.

“It is not without significance that this exhibition of manufactured goods should be held in the Wool Exchange Building—a marriage between traditional and modern production.” Sir Bernard Fergusson congratulated the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association on having had the notion to organise the fair, and the spirit to carry it through. Welcoming guests the pre-

sident of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association (Mr C. W. Mace) said that the Government had carried out a special survey on freight problems. This survey has been completed for some months. “On behalf of our members, I must again ask the Government to expedite the release of this report.” The Industries Fair, besides acting as a display window for manufacturers, had many other attractions for the whole family, including the side-shows, said Mr Mace. An urgent necessity existed for the expansion of manufacturing in New Zealand, and in particular in Canterbury, said the Mayor (Mr G. Manning). The reasons were to provide opportunities for employment for our young people;

to provide consumer goods for the growing population so that imports were limited and foreign exchange saved. Mr Manning said that the quality of manufactured goods in New Zealand was equal, if not superior to those which were being -imported from other countries. Given good weather, it was hoped about 125,000 persons would visit the fair, said the chairman (Mr E. P. Chapman).

The picture shows the Governor • General Sir Bernard Fergusson speaking at the official opening of the Industries Fair in the Wool Exchange building last evening. Seated in front are Mr C. W. Mace (president of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association), Mrs Mace, and Lady Fergusson.