NEW ZEALAND DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 108, 3 November 1939, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND DAY

AT WORLD'S FAIR

SIR CHARLES NORWOOD'S IMPRESSIONS

Although the .plans of Sir Charles and Lady Norwood to make a tour of Europe were upset by the outbreak of war, they made full use of the time they spent in America. The World's Fair at New York claimed much of their attention during the three weeks they spent. in New York, and they have returned with a lasting impression of all they saw, although they feel that three months, rather than three weeks, are necessary to take in all that the Fair has to offer. ! Sir Charles, said in an interview that the art gallery, with its wealth of masterpieces, was indescribable, for probably never before in the history of the world had so many masterpieces of art been housed under one roof. It j would have taken several days to view these pictures, even superficially. "I suppose, the most costly exhibit or pavilion in the whole fair was that j of the Soviet Government^" said Sir Charles. "It was a great building, surmounted with an immense statue that could be seen from any ..part of the grounds, a statue symbolic of the dawn of a new. civilisation—Russia j showing the way. "The British pavilion appealed in quite another way There was a quiet dignity and stateliness about this pavilion that made an immense appeal, to the public, and when we were there it always seemed crowded There were always long queues waiting to see the Crown Jewels, while the lavish display of solid gold plate belonging to the, traditional old guilds of London, wonderfully displayed in superb glass cases, was a rare sight, reflecting something peculiarly English, which somehow or other * appealed immensely to tlie Americans. NEW ZEALAND HONOURED. "I was at the fair on New Zealand Day," Sir Charles continued. "That was a day we will never be able to forget, owing to the really extraordinary way in which New Zealand was honoured.. Guests were asked to meet at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York at 10 aim. Therie, after general introductions, and a snack, we ventured out into the street to find that not only were we being given a military escort, but in front was a traflftc patrol, whichj cleared the way ahead, and allowed us to drive right through the lights, traversing the heart of the city at from 40 to 50 miles an hour. Arriving at the fair the party was met'by a guard of honour, and the band played 'God Save the King' and 'The Star-Spangled Banner.' We were taken to the hall in which the King and Queen were received, and after signing the visitors' book there, we paid a series of visits to.the quarters of the United States Administration., We proceeded to the Summer City Hall, where we were received by the Mayor of New York, who treated the party to luncheon. Then back to the fair, where, in the open air, the Mayor delivered a wonderful speech of welcome and congratulation. One would imagine to hear him that hereally knew all about New Zealand. Afterwards .it fell to my lot to present him _-vyith 'an inkstand made of New Zealarid woods and greenstone. "What interested me was the thoroughness and dignity which characterised everything in connection.with this celebration. I imagined Americans were against,that sort of thing, but it seems to me'that they, love the forriiality that characterises most of . such functions in English countries The success that attended the functions throughput the day constituted some evidence of the popularity of the people associated with the New Zealand pavilion at the World's Fair, and that little-knoWn New Zealand should have been given so much limelight was a testimony to the coriimissioner, Mr. Firth, and his staff."