FUITURE EXHIBITURS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 70, 23 March 1926, Page 8

FUITURE EXHIBITURS

WELLINGTON WANTS THE NEXT

A BIG DEPUTATION TO THE MAYOR

PUBLIC MEETING PEOPOSED.

A large deputation, representing the Wellington Winter Show Association, the Industrial Association, and business interests of the city, waited upon the Mayor this morning to ask that a public meeting should be called at an early date to place on record Wellington's desire that it should have next turn to an International Exhibition. The Mayor expressed himself in full agreement with that suggestion, but indicated that, in his opinion, it would be of little value to set up a working committee at the present moment with the Exhibition several years still ahead. The fixing of a date, he remarked was not altogether in the hands, of Wellington; outside events had to be considered as prime factors in that regard. Mr. G. Mitchell said that it' was recognised that it was not within the province of the Show Association or the Industrial Association to undertake an Exhibition upon a Dominion or an International scale, though as citizens the members would be available. The associations had decided that they would not suggest any date, for that must be decided by the body which would carry the Exhibition through, nor did the associations make any recommendation as to the site, but they did feel that it I was desirable to look far enough ahead to ensure that there would be at least one ground which would be available when the time came. BENEFITS TO BE EXPECTED. j An exhibition might not be directly a payable concern, but it would certainly be of very great advertising value to Wellington, continued Mr. Mitchell. He believed that Wellington could hold an exhibition that would be an improvement even upon the Dunedin Exhibition, for Wellington could benefit from the experience there gained,; and would also benefit from the general advancement of industry in the meantime. . There was some difference of opinion about grounds, but if a public committee was set up at a reasonably early date the onus would be upon them to make inquiries in regard to sites, in or about the city. The idea was not put forward in any parochial spirit, but he did wish to emphasise the necessity of keeping one's own town and country before other people and other countries. It was the unanimous wish of tho members of the deputation that the question of holding an Exhibition in Wellington should be placed before a public meeting, and that suph preparations should be made as would ensure that a suitable area would be available when required. ' LYALL BAY SITE ADVOCATED. Mr. E. H. Nimmo, after referring to his visit of investigation to the Dunedin Exhibition with Mr. W. S. Wilson, said that he had come back filled with enthusiasm at the idea of holding an International Exhibition in Wellington. They had been encouraged by leading business men of Wellington and had, moreover, received offers of tangible help from those connected: with the Dunedin Exhibition. There was outside of the city an impression that Wellington was a city lacking in civic pride, and here was an opportunity to disprove such suggestions. He. had inspected several localities and had come to the conclusion that tho only possible site was the Lyall Bay sandhill area, which, if taken in hand, and improved along right lines, would become a permanent city asset. The site lent itself peculiarly to the purpose, and when the new tunnel was constructed access difficulties would be end* cd. , _ ' AGREEMENT WITH PRINCIPLE. The Mayor replied that he fully appreciated the public spirited reasons which prompted the deputation to come along, and with the broad principle than an exhibition should be held in Wellington, he heartily agreed; he believed, also, that the people of Wellington agreed with that principle. The question of when, however, depended very much upon outside' conditions. One could not go through the wonderfully organised Exhibition at Dunedin without realising that unless one could interest the Imperial Government and all Dominion Governments, one could not accomplish what was wished. Dunedin was rather fortunate in that the Wembley Exhibition was just about to close, and the Imperial and other Governments had ready to send out well organised exhibits and staffs. Without the interest and assistance of overseas Governments an international exhibition could scarcely be worth the' name, and it was not fin the hands of Wellington alone to fix conditions which' would bring such success. Possibly the centennial year of Wellington, .would be an opportune date for the proposed exhibition, in that a natural sentiment of pride would lead to a greater enthusiasm. If there was suitable land in any part of the city, he thought that the public bodies would be big enough to maintain such open .spaces as could be converted to the service suggested. VALUE OF PUBLIC MEETING. The real value of a public meeting at the present time, continued Mr. Norwood, would be to place on record, . through the Internal Affairs Department, the desire of Wellington people that the next international exhibition should be held here. To set up an actual working, committee for an exhibition that might not be held for ten years or longer would not be, in his opinion, wise, for what would be wanted would be tho best-men then available in Wellington. He would consider tho calling of a meeting at an early date and would be very pleased to confer with members of the deputation in the meantime as to what specific proposals could be then considered, but, as he had said, he did not think it would be wise to attempt at the present"time to set up an actual working committee. ' i ■ Mr. Mitchell, in thanking the Mayor for the reception accorded them, said that the real need was to "earmark" the next exhibition for AVellington.