BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 56, 8 March 1922, Page 10

BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION

WORK BEGUN AT WEMBLEY

DUKE OF YORK TURNS THE FIRST

TURF,

(HIOM OUR OWM CORMSPONDMI.)

LONDON, 12th January.

At Wembley Park this week the Duke of York inaugurated the actual work upon the British Empire Exhibition. F«o saw' a happy augury in the fact that, while the minimum guaranteed fund of £1,000,000 had only been assured on the previous Saturday, work had been started on the following Tuesday. The ringed circle at the crest of the hill where the Duke turned the first turf was surrounded by representatives of the peerage, the Dominions and colonies, Government Departments, captains of industry, leading citizens of many towns, and guarantors of the scheme. In welcoming the Duke to the ground, Lord Morris, the chairman of the Executive Council, .stated .that' 1 the turf that was to be turned marked the exact spot over which the King would pass when he visited the sports ground on the, occasion of its formal opening. The spot had an additional significance. It marked the realisationl of the earnest hope expressed by the Prince of Wales that the building of .the exhibition should furnish'some relief for the existing unemployment.

The British Empire Exhibition was to be a'good deal more than the latest of exhibitions. It was intended to be permanent in character, and to accomplish something of real constructive value in the revival of trade and industry. It was hoped to show what the Empire might do, quite as much as what the Empire had done. or was doing. It was desired the exhibition should prove an epitome of the intelligence, enterprise, and resources of the British Commonwealth of Nations. The real object of the Executive-Council was to bring the capital of the Empire up to its great potential resources. Referring to the Empire's natural wealth, Lord Morris pointed out that, although we possessed all the minerals we required, we were constantly giving labour to other peoples. The exhibition should express, to quote from the words of the Prince of Wales: " That an Empire which is worth dying for is ■ equally worth living for and working for." IMPORTANT NATIONAL ENTERPRISE. Responding, the Duke said that if the British Empire Exhibition was to ba worthy of the great traditions of the unique Commonwealth of Nations to which we all belong it demanded all the energy, ingenuity, and co-operation which could be secured. One of the reasons which gave him the greatest pleasure in taking part in that ceremony was the f?xt that some work to all events would be found at an early dat« to help that vast army of men which, through no fault of its own, was passing through the anxious and trying times of unemployment. In conclusion ho wished what he described as an important national enterprise every possible success.. Immediately after the Duke of York had turned the turf he was presented with a,gold cigarette case as a memento of the occasion by Mr. R. M'Alpine (of Sir Robert M'Alpine, and Sons, the public works contractors, who are to construct the great sports arena). This arena will be .capable- of accommodating 125,000 spectators, and will also be used for inter-Imperial' athletics. Arrangements have already been made for the ground to be used by the Football Association for a period of 21 years. The building to' be erected on tho grounds will include a groat hall for the exhibitions of products and manufactures of Great Britain, and five other halls for the display of exhibits from the Dominions and Colonies.: There will also be two main ' courts—the "Empire" and "Dominion" courts. The natural features of Wembley Park are particularly attractive with its belt of oak, beech, and elm trees, and the . lake which has an outflow to the River Brent", nearby. The executive council desire to preserve its contours in the main, and except in connection with the construction of the sports arena the natuTal features of the site will be maintained. The exhibition buildings, which will be of a permanent nature, and the finest of its kind in trie, world, are to be constructed of steel and concrete, and after 1923 will become the home of the British Industries Fair and other periodic exhibitions.

It is estimated that at least £1,500,000 will have to be spent'on constructional work.