AID OFFER FOR ART EXHIBIT

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31975, 30 April 1969, Page 26

AID OFFER FOR ART EXHIBIT

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, April 29. An anonymous Auckland woman had offered “considerable financial assistance” to help send an exhibit to the Brazilian art exhibition, the keeper of the Auckland City Art Gallery (Mr H. Keith) said today.

Mr Keith said last night that New Zealand would not be represented at the worldrenowned art exhibition in Brazil because of the “usual lethargy in the cultural affairs of the Government.” The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) announced on Friday that the Government would not take part in the exhibition at Sao Paulo in September. Mr Keith said the invitation to the exhibition was received last August, and by March this year the New Zealand Government had not even offered the Brazilian Embassy the courtesy of a reply. A similar invitation in 1967 was also ignored, he said.

Commenting today on the woman's offer, Mr Keith said: “When we made our proposals to the External Affairs Department last August we made it quite clear that we would raise the money to send the exhibit ourselves. “All we need is the official sponsorship of the Government. It won’t be costing it anything, and I’m sure other art lovers will support us, as this woman has. “If the Government will appoint a commissioner—and that won’t cost anything,

either—we can go ahead with our exhibition.” He was sure the Brazilian art authorities would accept New Zealand’s late entry if it was organised at once.