BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 121, 7 February 1923, Page 7

BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION

SIR W. JOYNSON HICKS’S REPORT NO CORRUPTION IN GRANT OF CONCESSIONS by TBizßanAPn.— Pesm association. —OoPYBIGHT. (Rec. February 6, 11.30 p.m.) London, February 5. Sir W. Joynson Hicks, in his report on the British Empire Exhibition, says he saw thirty witnesses in the course of the inquiry as regards the use of Empire produce. He is glad to say an arrangement had been come to between the exhibition authorities and the High Commissioners whereby provision would be made in all contracts that Empire materia] only would be used in the construction anil Empire products only used in the restaurants. “So it is unnecessary for me to investigate the question further. I find there has been no malfeasance or corruption regarding the granting of concessions for amusements or entertainments, but thero have been unfortunate occurrences in connection with negotiations for concessions, owing to the exhibition authorities not advertising for tenders. As general administration, though the exhibition must be nun as a business undertaking, it is of supreme significance that it should not be allowed to be ot secondary consideration and highly desirable that there should bo a- clear understanding of the sentiments of tho various dominions and colonies. Crave Lack of Taot. “I formed the conclusion that Mr. Flonald was actuated by a desire to do everything to make the exhibition a thorough success from the Imperial standpoint. I am convinced there has been a grave lack of tact on tlic part of tho general manager in his relations with those with whom he ought to be working harmoniously; nevertheless, Mr. Wintour is a man of marked ability. There have been various veiled suggestions that even he. was not free from suspicion of corruption, but I am of opinion that there has been m> corruption. Without hesitation I recommend that there be no change in the general management, which might bo fatal to the exhibition nt this late date. Mr. Wintour, by his dominating personality, very largely controlled bis committees. I now propose that the control over the general management should be very greatly, strengthened by the executive council meeting frequently, with a deputy chairman, who should give his whole time to tho work and receive adequate remuneration. If such a committee bad been in control of affairs earlier, there would have been no possibility of the recent crit’eism.” . The report concludes with thanks to Mr. Dalton, the New Zealand Trade Commissioner, “who assisted me in the inquiry while he was on short leave before going to Canada.” —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

IMPORTANT PUBLIC SERVICE TRIBUTE TO SIR W. JOYNSONHICKS’S WORK. (Rec. February 6, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 5. The “Morning Bost” says: “Sir W. Joynson-Hicks has performed an im--portarit public service. We gladly accept his conclusion that although the amusements concession aro not above criticism as a business transaction, the final settlement was perfectly in order. We are glad to learn that Sir Travers Clarke, as deputy-chairman, will give his whole time to the exhibition Sir Henry Mahon and Sir Henry Campbell McLeod will be chairman of the Management' Committee and the Finance Committee respectively. Tho main problem of the exhibition is to demonstrate how the markets of Britain can bo opened to the products of the Dominions and colonies. For instance, there is difficulty in getting Australian eggs and dried fruit. A simple measure of preference would make an immense difference in Dominion trade.” —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn