THE EXHIBITION

Evening Star, Issue 18339, 28 July 1923, Page 7

THE EXHIBITION

TO Tins EDITOR. Sir, —I, like many others, have been very much interested in tiio doings of the controlling body, hoping sooner or later to see them justify their existence by some definite move that would reassure the public mind as to their ability to handle the work before them. So far little has been done in this direction. They are certainly getting into touch with various business and tradespeople with a view to getting their support, both moral and financial; they also see approximately £30,000. But all this is by the way; it is promat're. I feel perfectly certain that this £30,000 is not guaranteed unconditionally, because they are asking the public to subscribe to something of a most indefinite nature. They cannot tell you whether the exhibition is to be international or Imperial; they cannot tell you where it is to be held, whether at Moa Flat or Lake Logan. How can they, then, expect thinking people to rallyround them and give financial support to such an indefinite proposition ? The difficulty would never have cropped up had the directors seen the wisdom of incorporating in their body practical men, or of using such practical brains as were at their disposal. But, no; it seems to me that the only qualification for the majority of the directors is “ social position,’’ instead of looking round and seeking support and direction from sound, practical men, whom we have in our midst. It seems to me the directors are sadly in need of a sound, vigorous, practical leader. It is unreasonable to expect the body as composed to successsfully cope with the problems associated with the carrying out of the preliminary details of an exhibition without the practical mind. Now, sir, what must be done to ensure success is to formulate a definite scheme at once. The site must be selected, a plan giving a reasonable indication of the proposed buildings, pavilions, ornamental waters, show grounds, etc., etc., and also setting forth the temporary and permanent advantages that would result by reason of their selection, thus giving the” people interested some practical idea of the nature of their prospective investment. When this has been done you will find hundreds (probably thousands) of people, including tiio writer, supporting and contributing generously to the proposed exhibition fund.

Much dissension is known to exist in the ranks of the provisional directors over the question of site; no doubt vested interest looms up largely, and one can onlv admire the investor who makes his contribution conditional on the Sites Committee’s recommendation being adhered to. Mr Ramsay, at a meeting of the Harbor Board, tells us that ho is sure the exhibition will never bo erected on Lake Logan; of course Mr Ramsay may bo a seer, but certainly not a very far-seor to my mind. I think that the unanimous selection by the Sites Committee indicated that those gentlemen were wide awake to the interests of the community and exercised sound judgment in their choice.

My own knowledge of .exhibitions—and those I have been actively associated with for the last thirty-five years qualify me to speak as one with some practical experience—makes me say emphatically that the site sc,footed is the only site that will provide the necessary area for a modern exhibition. Too much importance cannot bo paid to the matter of area, and Lake Logan reclaimed not only gives tho necessarya rea, but provides an amphitheatre of natural beauty unequalled in any part of New Zealand, within easy access of the city, with ample supply of fresh water (an indispensable item in connection with an exhibition), sheltered from tho bleak north-west wind, handy to the railway and wharf, linked up with our present tramway svstom —an ideal spot. Build your exhibition there, let it bo of sufficient magnitude and quality to warrant the attention and support of the industrial nations of tho world, and it will justify itself.

I am personally a strong advocate of an international exhibition. Wo want to see what our neighbors are doing. To have an Imperial exhibition means that wo deprive ourselves of the advantages of seeing some of tho magnificent efforts <A 90 per cent, of tho world’s industrial producers. Let no man deprive the youth of this country of possibly the only opportunity of seeing tho creations of the master industrial minds of the world.

And now, sir, I make_a final appeal ail who aro interested in tho exhilriitiou movement to urge without delay the present directors to ratify the unanimous recommendation of the bites Committee. Let the Harbor Board see that its splendid and generous effort to prepare the Lake Logan site is fully appreciated by the people. —I am, etc., Juw %■ Gloves Off.