DUNEDIN EXHIBITION

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 46, 18 November 1925, Page 10

DUNEDIN EXHIBITION

OPENED IN FINE WEATHER AND WITH LARGk. . ATTENDANCE GREAT TASK BROUGHT TO SUCCESSFUL ISSUE SPEECHES AT FORMAL CEREMONY The New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition was opened at Dunedin yesterday under the happiest auspices by the Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson).

By Telegraph.— Press Association

Dunedin, November 17. Dunedin breathes freely to-night, for the gtfcat red letter day marking an important milestone along the Dominion’s highway of history has come and gone, leaving in, its ’train pleasant memories of a great task brought to a successful issue. The weather was fine, though a southerly breeze was rather unpleasant during the morning. It persisted in the afternoon, but this perhaps was fortunate, as the sun was beating down with great fervour. It had one bad quality, however; it prevented many people from hearing the speeches at the actual opening ‘ ceremony, although the speakers were aided by amplifiers which directed the voices to distant portions of the huge crowd. This was an innovation at such gatherings in New Zealand. Amplifiers also carried the voices of the speakers to the wireless station in the exhibition area, whence the speeches were broadcast throughout the Dominion.

Before noon a great trek' set in from the city eastward to the new yonder city in the amphitheatre where once the murky waters and mud flats of Lake Logan stood. All the forenoon, final rush efforts were being made +o get things ship-shape, and when the gates opened at noon the exhibition presented a smiling face, gaily beribboned and beflagged. Huge crowds had gathered, so that entrance was not easily effected by those who delayed till after the lunch hour. Opening Ceremony. A little after 2 o’clock the GovernorGeneral left the Vice-Regal residence in London Street, the 13th Field Battery, N.Z.A., stationed in one comer of the exhibition park, tiring the general salute of nineteen guns. Entering by the west gate His Excellency proceeded through the avenue traversing the amusement area to the sports ground at the back of the main building, where a dais stood opposite the sports ground grand-stand, which was packed by thousands of people. All the foreground of the Governor’s progress was lined by Territorials and Cadets, while a guard of honour was furnished by a detaclnnent from 11.M.5. Dunedin and the First Battalion Otago Infantry Regiment. His Excellency was received at the entrance by Mr. J. Sutherland Ross, president of the exhibition, and members of the Board of Directors. His Excellency was in the uniform of the Grenadier Guards, and was accompanied by his aide-de-camps and Colonel Young, Commandant of the Southern Command. He inspected the guard of honour, and then mounted the dais, where were gathered the Mayor of Dunedin, the Prime Minister, the Hon. G. J. Anderson, Sir Joseph Ward, and leading local figures, besides the principals of the Exhibition Company. While these movements were in progress an aeroplsne droned its circuitous way about in the upper air. As His Excellency mounted the dais the New Zealand Ensign was broken out, the Cadet Bugle Band sounding the general salute. A march past of the guard of honour and Territorials followed, His Excellency taking the salute at the head of the steps leading to the front of the dais. The Argyll and Sutherland Band played appropriate quicksteps. After the Exhibition Choir had led the singing of “God Defend New Zealand,” the Bishop of Dunedin (Right Rev. I. Richards) engaged in prayer, expressing thankfulness for the mercies received through Providence in the past and the opportunities that had enabled the people to achieve this day’s wonderful step forward under God’s guidance in the march of progress and Christian civilisation. A reading of Scripture followed, the Rev. E. N. Merrington (of First Church) reciting the sixty-seventh Psalm. It is notable that the Bible which lie read was brought out by the Rev. Thomas Burns in the ship Philip Laing, which, with the > John Wycliff, brought the first settlers to Otago in 1848. The “Old'Hundredth” was then sung by the assemblage, led by the Exhibition Choir, and accompanied by the Argyll and Sutherland Band. Mr. J. Sutherland Ross (president of the exhibition), in welcoming and calling on the Governor-General to declare the exhibition open, referred to earlier efforts* of the kind in New Zealand, and wientioned that there were present to-day some who participated in Dunedin’s first exhibition in 1865. Among these were Professor White, Colonel E. R. Smith, Sir George

Fenwick, and Sir Robert Stout. Mr Ross traced the progress of events in the promotion of the exhibition, expressing appreciation ot the manner in which the project had been viewed throughout New Zealand, and in other parts of the Empire. The response had been so great that the scope of the enterprise had to be enlarged. Special thanks were due to the assistance rendered by Great Britain, Canada and Australia. Message from the King. \ The Governor-General prefaced his remarks by reeling a message i from the King, as follows: — I wish all possible success to the New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition, which opens to-dav. I am confident that such a display of the resources, arts and manufactures of the Dominion itself, of other parts of the British Empire which are participating, and of foreign countries, also cannot fail to achieve good results in promoting co operation and prosperity among my people, and in furthering international good will George R I.

His Excellency also read the following message from the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs:—

The Prime Minister has asked me to convev to jou his best wishes, with which I join my own, (or-the success of the International Exhibition opening to-day in so beautiful a setting as is afforded by the citv of Dunedin and its surrounding connin'. —Amery. Governor’s Congratulations. Proceeding, His Excellency said: “It rives me great pleasure to be here to-dav with Her Excellency to open the New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition. No one can fail to be hnpressed bv the magnitude of the enterprise which has brought together in this far-off land not only evidence of the growth and development of the Empire itself, but also tangible results of the energy, industry, and culture of different nations of the world. To the promoters of the exhibition, to the council and exeetv tive to the architect,, and to all ’ who by their . labours have contributed to this magnificent result I offer hearty congratualtions and I extend a warm welcome to the representatives, official and unofficial, of lands beyond the seas, and express the pleasure which we all feel at their presence at this ceremony. I cannot do better than quote the words of His Majesty the King on a similar occasion. ‘The British Empire,’ His Majesty said, 'depends for its security and prosperity on good-will between its constituent peoples and the sure foundation of that good-will is a full knowledge of our mutual aspirations, capacities, and needs.’ It is the object of this exhibition to impart that knowledge of which His Majesty speaks. First and foremost we see before us the resources of our Empire and evidence of the various contributions to its wealth. and prosperity which are made bv different countries owning allegiance to it. We are enabled to realise the vast potentialities of such an Empire, its natural wealth in raw material, its marvellous capacity for pastoral production and for industrial output. We shall learn jf we are wise how best to develop our respective resources to our common benefit bv a study of each other’s needs, by mutual co-operation and coordination, and bv avoidance of senseless and suicidal competition among ourselves. But this exhibition has a still wider scope. It will give to thousands an opportunity of studying the world from a new point of view, of learning from the evidence of their own eyes something of the trade and commerce of countries outside the Empire. While we shall all feel the natural preference of men of the same blood and allegiance to buy and sell from each other, vet we shall welcome the opportunity afforded of gaining information as to the resources and industrial capacities of other countries with a view to the extension of trade to the mutual benefit of all. With knowledge will come sympathy, and with sympathy good-will, of which the world is so much in need to-day. I ask the children who are present here to-dav to realise the lesson of this exhibition. It represents in its main features the results of the industry and self-sacrifice of their fathers and grand-

fathers. It tells a tale of adventure, of hardship, and suffering bravely borne, of difficulties faced and overcome, of the triumph of the early pioneers and ' their descendants. It is a monument to those who have laboured in the past and an indication of what may yet.be accomplished if the true Imperial spirit and character are fostered and preserved. Lastly, from this exhibition we shall learn a new conception of Empire and of our duty to it, and I trust that all of ns who are its citizens will make a new and firm resolve that that duty shall be faithfully and generously done, for on a proper appreciation of this dutv and on a firm grasp bv our people of the real meaning of Empire and its responsibilities hangs the whole destiny of the British race. I prav that the blessing of Almighty God mav be upon this undertaking, and that it mav b p instrumental not only in drawing closer the bonds which unite this Dominion to the Mother Country, and to our sister Dominions, but also in promoting the prosperity and contentment of mankind. I declare the exhibition open and wish it all success.” As His Excellency concluded, the Argyll and Sutherland Band sounded a fanfare of trumpets. The exhibition architect, Mr. E. Anscombe, presented a gold key to the Governor-General, and an inkstand and pen to Lady Alice Fergusson.

The (Argyll and Sutherland Band then played selections, including a march, “The Vanished Army” (They Never Die), composed by the conductor of the band, Mr. Rickett, and dedicated to Kitchener’s “First Hundred Thousand.” This was followed by a beautiful Scottish suite by combined pipes and the band, including (a) retreat march, “Torosav Castle,” (b) lament “Thou Has Left Me Ever, Jeanie,” - and (c) ballad, “Road to the Isles.’’ These items held the huge audience spellbound throughout, and evoked a remarkable outburst of applause. Prime Minister’s Pride and Satisfaction. The Prime Minister (Hon. J. G. Coates) said:—“lt is with feelings of pride and satisfaction that I take part to-day in the inauguration of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition. My pleasure, however, is to some extent tinged with regret that my distinguished predecessor is not here to join in the opening ceremony. It was to him that the promoters first turned. in 1923 to seek co-operation and assistance, and from the outset Mr. Massey, as head of the Government, continued to take a practical and sympathetic interest in its welfare and progress. .Nothing, I am sure, would have given him greater satisfaction had lie been spared than to have seen the splendid fruition which has attended the work of those responsible for the organisation of this great enterprise. But, after all, the consummation of these labours is not necessarily a matter of wonderment, because it is characteristic of the energy and industry of the Scot in overcoming difficulties and giving practical effect to that indomitable spirit to which New Zealand, and particularly Otago, owes so much of its building up from its very early days. It is fitting that on such an occasiou we should pay our tribute to those sturdy pioneers who braved manifold perils and endured tremendous hardships with true British- pluck and courage. Posterity will ever hold these men and women in grateful memory. They very largely helped in solidly laying the foundations of this young nation upon which we are building todav.”

Mr. Coates eulogised the assistance rendered by other countries of the Empire to the exhibition, and read messages of good-will from the Prime Ministers of Canada and Australia. Mr. Coates also quoted figures showing the wonderful progress made by tlie Dominion since the last International Exhibition at Christchurch in 1906, and concluded with a statement that the public revenue of, the Dominion was buoyant, disclosing a promising outlook. His closing remarks referred to New Zealand’s participation in foreign affairs. He expressed his belief that the Locarno Pact would be productive of great and lasting good, and said that in any case New Zealand definitely took her stand with Great Britain in her attitude towards the Pact. The Mayor of Dunedin • (Mr. H. L. Tapley, M.P.) was the last speaker, giving an epitome of Otago’s progress from the earliest days to the present time. ’ .

The National Anthem, played by the Argyll and Sutherland Band, brought the formal opening ccremoqy to an end. Throughout the afternoon and evening the whole exhibition was thronged by crowds of eager sightseers, while the various amusement attractions were fully patronised. In the Festival Hall this evening the Exhibition Choir, under the baton of Mr. Slapoffski, presented Elgar’s "Dream of Gerontius” to an audience filling every portion of the great hall. It was a marked musical triumph. Reference to some of the courts will be found on Page 7,

GREETINGS BY RADIO Sydney, November 17. At 1 o’clock this afternoon, Mr. Mark Blow, the New Zealand Government representative, broadcasts a message to the New Zealand Government felicitating it upon the opening of the Dunedin Exhibition, and wishing the exhibition every success.—Press z\ssn.