EXHIBITION OPENED

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 180, 24 April 1924, Page 7

EXHIBITION OPENED

MESSAGES FROM PRIME MINISTERS ) MR- MASSEY ON THE THREATENED COMMERCIAL CRISIS REMARKABLE DISPLAY OF EMPIRE’S RESOURCES The Prime Ministers of the Empire have sent messages in connection with the opening of the great exhibition at Wembley. Mr. Massey, in his message, refers to the financial and commercial crisis threatening the Empire, and says the exhibition affords striking proof of the Empire’s capacity to become self-supporting without recourse to foreign countries. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald says the - exhibition will strengthen the mutual ties of tradition.

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London, April 22. “The Times” of April 22 publishes a special exhibition section of 32 pages. It displays messages from every Prime Minister in the Empire. Mr. Massey says that in 1914 a blow was struck at the heart of the Empire. It is now a financial and commercial blow ; and the Dominions, as in 1914, gladly accept the duty to come to the Empire’s assistance. The exhibition affords striking proof of the Empire’s capacity to become self-supporting without recourse to foreign countries. If it lays the foundation of better knowledge it will be remembered as the beginning of a great effort to reestablish the prosperity _ of Britain and the whole of the Empire. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald says the exhibition demonstrates the variety of the peoples and resources of the British Empire. It will strengthen the mutual ties of tradition, friendship, and knowledge, and will also display how the Empire’s wealth, industry, and skill can contribute towards the restoration, of peace and prosperity of the whole world. Sir James Craig says Elster is proud of her place in the Imperial family at the exhibtion. Ulstermen, in the future, will proudly remember their participation in this great Imperial event. . . Mr. Cosgrave, Prime Minister of the Irish Free State, explains regretfully that the preoccupations of the Free State prevent any national exhibit; but Irish visitors will find inspiration in the manifestations of progress and productivity.—“ Tho Times.” FULL TEXT OF MR. MASSEY’S ■, . MESSAGE EMPIRE THREATENED BY COMMERCIAL CRISIS Following is the full text of . the message sent 'oy the Prime Minister for publication in “The Times” Empire Exhibition supplement:— “Ten years ago a. blow was struck at the heart of the Empire. The oversea Dominions proved at that time that they were partners, in the best sense of the term, in the greatest organisation of nations the world has ever known. To-day, the scene has changed ; and British citizens are faced with yet another crisis. This time it is commercial and financial; but it threatens our Empire as certainly as Germany and her allies in arms menaced it in 1914. Again it is a blow at the heart of the Empire. The oversea Dominions and Crown Colonies are prosperous ; but that prosperity cannot continue undiminished if citizens of the Empire allow the industrial and financial capacity of Great Britain itself to be weakened. Again the Dominions recognise it as their duty—and gladly they accept it —to come to the Empire’s assistance. Their ability to do so is exemplified by the displays to be seen in the great exhibition at Wembley Park. The exhibition affords striking proof of the Empire’s capacity to become selfsupporting without recourse to foreign countries. Moreover, it will enhance this aim. The citizens of the Dominions must learn to know each other better and to work for the benefit of each other, always remembering that their first duty is to their Empire and country. “The exhibition will lay the foundation for this better knowledge, and upon that foundation we may continue to build by improving pur means of communication, by peopling tho empty

places overseas with energetic and enterprising British citizens, by unity in defence and co-operation in trade, so that tho countries of the Empire will learn to buy from each other rather than from outside. If this is done, the exhibition will be remembered as the beginning and not the end of a great effort to re-establish in Great Britain that prosperity which will assure the continued progress of the Empire from its centre to its farthest outpost, and the slogan of such effort, if it is to be completely successful, must be “British trade for British peoples.” PREPARATIONS FOR OPENING STRIKING CHANGES BEING WROUGHT (Rec. April 23, 5.5 p.m.) London, April 22. Many magic wands will need to be waved overnight for Wembley to be ready for to-morrow morning’s historic opening pageant, but every five minutes, with hordes of workmen overrunning the place like ants, sees such striking changes that few dispute the manager’s assurances that the exhibition will be tolerably presentable when the King arrives. Meanwhile a dull grey sky, with occasional drizzling rain, is arousing anxiety lest "Wembley be a victim of fickle spring’s christening. The final Press view found the stage set for a full-dress rehearsal with Australia, Canada, and (South Africa the least backward among the Dominions. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NEW ZEALAND PAVILION NOT COMPLETED FOR OPENING London, April 22. The New Zealand Pavilion at Wembley will have to be opened only partially complete. Having failed for the opening day, the work will be finished leisurely, to avoid paying the workmen special rush wages. The New Zealand Commissioner, Mr. A. F. Roberts, is suffering from influenza. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. EXHIBITION OPENED IN DULL, OVERCAST WEATHER (Reo. April 24, 1.20 a.m.) London, April 23. The exhibition was opened in dull and overcast weather, necessitating furs, overcoats, and umbrellas.—Sydney “Sun” Cable. „ BARONY FOR SIR JAMES STEVENSON (Reo. April 24, 1.20 a.m.) London, April 23. On the occasion of the opening of the Empire Exhibition, Sir James Stevenson has been created Baron. — Renter.