EXHIBITION IN 1940

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 134, 2 March 1936, Page 8

EXHIBITION IN 1940

Professor Doubts Wisdom Of Celebration EVENTS IN OTHER COUNTRIES Doubt as to the wisdom of holding an exhibition to celebrate the centenary of New Zealand in 1940 was expressed by the president of the 'Wellington Early Settlers’ and Historical Association, Professor F. P. Wilson, at the annual meeting of the association on Saturday. He said he was pleased, however, to see at last some evidence of activity on the part of the authorities responsible for holding the celebrations.

Professor Wilson mentioned that several centenaries were coming off in Australia. With the exception of New South Wales, Tasmania and Queensland, nearly all the Australian States were founded in the ’thirties. He thought South Australia proposed to celebrate its centenary with an exhibition. There were, he believed, one or two American centenaries about the same time. “It is just a question if it is wise to hold an exhibition,” said Professor Wilson. “However, exhibitions appear good things to attract the people, and there has not been one here for some years.” A voice: The last was the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition held at Dunedin in 1924-25. In the annual report of the association pleasure is expressed that at last a meeting of mayors has been called to draw up a scheme to celebrate the centenary of the Dominion. “As every portion of the Colony, from Wanganui and New Plymouth down to Dunedin, was settled from Wellington,” says the report, “it is right that the various wishes as to the manner of celebration should be ascertained, thought it is the birthright of the Hutt district to have jthe celebrations held there.”