EMPIRE EXHIBITION

Evening Star, Issue 18141, 4 December 1922, Page 5

EMPIRE EXHIBITION

FOREIGN SUPPLIES CONTROVERSY, Prow Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, December 1. Sir Joseph Cook states that as a result of criticisms of the Empire Exhibitionmanagement Sir W. Joynson-Hicks (Parliamnetary Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade) has agreed to hold an inquiry, and a special committee, on which the dominions will ho represented, will draw up a report stating the dominion’s requirements in connection with the policy of excluding foreign supplies.—A. and N.Z. Cable. (Received December 4, at JO a.m.) In consequence of attacks upon the Empire Exhibition, it was decided to hold an inquiry into the organisation.—A. and N.Z. Cable. MR BELCHER'S MISSION. IMPRESSIONS GAINED ON TOUR. ADVOCATE OF TRADE WITHIN THE EMPIRE. LONDON, December 3. (Received December 4, at 9.45 a.m.) Mr E. A. Belcher has returned from his trip to the dominions, lie said that he came back with unbounded faith in the practicability of making the Empire selfsupporting. He agreed that the sooner Great Britain gave increased attention to developing trade within the Empire, instead of worrying about the Central and Eastern European countries, the belter it would be all round. He paid a tribute to the hospitality and assistance given throughout by Australia and New Zealand. He said lie was of opinion that Australia had shown a more rapid and complete recovery from the effect of the war than any part of the Empire. He was impressed with the strides that Australian cotton-growing was making, and he believed that within fifteen years the Commonwealth would become the Empire’s greatest cotton producer. Australia was undoubtedly now attracting a higher class of Britsh immigrant thaai any other dominion. It would now be his duty to superintend the dominions’ side of the Imperial Exhibition, and ho meant to use every endeavor to see that the dominions gained the most valuable and practical benefit from tho exhibition. In reference to the controversy orient tho use of Empire products exclusively at tho exhibition restaurants, Mr Belcher expressed the opinion) that there should never have been any difference of view between the executive and Australian opinion, but tho executive wanted to be scrupulously careful and to give no promise which it could not fulfil to the letter. There were .infinite difficulties in changing over within a moment from a system under which world supplies were available to a system of exclusive Empire supplies. The caterers were scared to death by any sort of conditions or restrictions. Nevertheless, he was confident that tho problem would be settled to the dominions’ complete satisfaction. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

The Prince of Wales's recent visit to the grounds at was made in his capacity as chairman-oi the General Committee of the forthcoming exhibition, to satisfy himself as to the progress being made in the work of preparation. There are about 13,(XX) workmen employed at Wembley, and the exhibition will occupy 133 acres. There will bo two great British buildings to house alii the English industrial exhibits, one being devoted to machinery. Tho dominions’ exhibits will be contained in separate pavilions, and there will be one pavilion for dominion, while tho smaller Crown colonies and dependencies of tho Empire are divided into five groups, according to their geographical position, each group having a separate pavilion. For instance, Australia will have a, building covering 150,000 square feet, while the Commonwealth Government has decided to spend £250,000 on its participation in the exhibition. The India Government has asked for, and has been alloUcd, 100,000 square feel', and ib proposes to spend £167,000. Burma will have two acmes of site for its exhibits, which will include a. complete Burmese village. New Zealand has agreed to a minimum expenditure of £60,000, and the Government hag asked for 40.000 square feet of space. Included in its exhibits will be a Maori museum. South Africa has reserved £30,000 to expend on her exhibits.