HAWAIIAN EXHIBIT

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 58, 6 September 1937, Page 11

HAWAIIAN EXHIBIT

KEEN INTEREST , DISCUSSIONS AT HONOLULU CLOSER KINSHIP ■ During his stay at Honolulu, Mr, R. H. Nimmo, a member of the board of directors of .the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition Company., discussed ( with Governmental' Officials and busi-1 ness organisations of ■ the Hawaiian Islands the arrangement of a comprehensive exhibit at the 1940 Exhibition. At a conference called by Acting Governor Hite in the Royal Hawaiian Palace.and addressed by Mr. Nimmo. the proposal was well received and a committee was set up to carry-the matter further.. , . . . ,- when..he arrived at Honolulu and commenced overtures for the Hawaiian group to be represented at the 1940 Exhibition. Mr.- Nimmo told a "PosT reporter on his return to Wei lington, the proposal was very well received, but it was pointed out that there" was a difficult problem In the clashing of -dates Vqf- two great can exhibitions. - the World's Fair at ■ New York and. the great Pacific Exhibition to be held" at San Francisco, the dates of which unfortunately willoverlap the proposed dates for the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition. The people of the Hawaiian Islands were therefore faced with : the expense of "running two exhibits in their own country,' entailing heavy expense': and the engagement of personnel. Nevertheless, the "proposal that an exhibit should be sent to New Zealand was received in a most sympathetic manner The Chamber of Commerce has taken the matter up enthusiastically, said Mr. Nimmo, also the.Tourist Department, under the chairmanship of Mr. George •Denniston, who is well known in New Zealand, as a prominent Rotarian. The Mayor of Honolulu, Mr. ■Wright, stated quite definitely that he considered that Honolulu should be represented at the, New Zealand Exhibition, and has undertaken to do everything possible to further the project.

DECISION OF CONFERENCE.

A number of interviews were held with leading ■ business men and Government and municipal officials, said Mr. Nimmo, and he found that his task had been made much' easier through the paving of the way by the Hon. W. Nash during his earlier visit, for Mr. Nash had interested the business men of, Honolulu very much in New Zealand. ', ■■■"■'■' .'■..'■.. Acting Governor Hite convened- a conference at the Royal Hawaiian Palace, and this was' fully, representa-tive-1 of all sections of the commercial. Governmental, and' municipal authorities. The British Consul was present, and another member-of the conference was Dr. Peter Buck, formerly of New Zealand and; now head; of the Bishop Museum, Honolulu, and carryin" out work of world-wide importance upon anthropology, with particular relation to the Pacific. _ ■ Mr. Nimmo was invited to address the conference and in so doing set.out the various " reasons; why Hawaii shoulchbe: represented at the. New Zea land Exhibition,- stressing the, ; kinship of English-speaking people, -and ; the natural and ever-increasing amity and affinity between the American arid British people, and the facilities whicn existed in fast steamship, travel r Md the coming still faster air travel, between Hawaii and..Ne.W ] JZealarid arid Australia.' From tKat''."closer interest' reci'pfbcal"; trade- ,deyeltrpe,d- ,;as ,3 natural corollary, and "there was already a very keen interest in Honolulu in certain New Zealand products, particularly butter. . -■■,•:'. CLOSE HISTORICAL -..ASSOCIATIONS. Mr. Nimmo' also dealt; with the-very close historical associations : of the Hawaiian group and New Zealand Both were discovered ■py Captain James Cook, whose riame is as revered in Hawaii as it is in New Zealand, There was the tie -.of blood and pride of race between the native peoples of the two groups, for the Hawaiians and the Maoris were of the same race. The Hawaiians had sailed! north from Tahiti and the Maoris south to New Zealand. He was pleased to be abis to tell'the conference that the Maoris enjoyed in New Zealand a similar status in the community to that of the Hawaiians in their island. He suggested that as one part of the Hawaiian display a troupe of native dancers and singers should visit New Zealand for part' at -any rate of the inhibition period. This ■ proposal was received most" enthusiastically, and Dr.' Buck undertook. to do all .that he could to further the plan. ;■■/■■ ' "•

COMMITTEE SET UP.

Details of the project were discussed I to the extent that was- possible '.in the absence .of exact plans as to space, arrangement of buildings, etc., and. a committee was set up to consider the general lines proposed, pending the receipt of a fuller prospectus, when details could, be., discussed and a definite decision arrived at. Mr. Nimmo.was also invited to address the public of Honolulu at a great gathering at the final open-air concert j of the Royal Hawaiian Band in the '< Capolani Park. , The address was relayed to .the Honolulu broadcasting station and was rebroadcast in the United States.. "It was a great chance to say. something about New >Zealand and the friendship of New Zealand people, and to say a good deal about New Zealand's; tourist and sporting attractions," he said. "It was Just too good to miss. The reaction, T think. was very good, and several people fold me that they would' visit a country which offered such attractions to tourists; I' believe ' that a great many people from the Hawaiian Islands will visit New Zealand during the Exhibition period." ...