THE BIG EXHIBITION

Evening Star, Issue 18736, 11 September 1924, Page 2

THE BIG EXHIBITION

MEETING AT MOSGIEL

A COMMITTEE APPOINTED. The first of a series of meetings for the purpose of bringing tho project of tho New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition under the notice of tbp country districts and to solicit support in the way of exhibits and funds was held in the Mosgiel Council Chambers last evening. Four of the company directors—Mr J. Sutherland Rosa (chairman), Messrs 0. Todd, H. F. ■Su.cock, and T. Somerville—with Mr G. Black (representing the Agricultural and Pastoral Sub-committee), motored from Dunedin. Mr T. Tomkins (Mayor of Green Island) and Mr C. Findlay (chairman of the Taieri County Council) were among thoso present. Mr J. P. Walls (Mayor of Mosgiel), who presided, said that the attendance was somewhat disappointing. Nearly every public body, however, was represented. The directors desired to bring under the notice of country residents the proposed Exhibition, to bo opened in November of 1925. He noted that there would be something like sixty acres of Exhibition ground, twelve acres of t which would bo built upon. It was expected that national courts would represent all parts of tho Empire, so_ that they wanted good support in exhibits from tho distracts. Primary products would have to be seen to in the coming season, and a committee should be formed as soon as possible. Ho did not think that their district would be second to any in the matter of exhibiting. They had provided some exhibits at tho Panama Exposition, and at the Winter Show the Mosgiel Dairy Factory had been successful. The woollen, cheese and butter,' and tanning industries gave ample scope to provide a court. It was with great pleasure that he introduced the directors, and called upon Mr J. Sutherland Boss to address the meeting. Mr Ross said that he must thank thorn for the very kind way in which they had been welcomed. They were there to put forward points in connection with the Exhibition, which was going to be held as a sort of diamond jubilee to an earlier one. Though Otago was turning out as good products as in the past, the trend of population for a number of years had been north, and while hero the sinews of war were lacing provided, tho north was taking the place that had been Otago’s. One asked what was tiro keynote of an Exhibition, and it seemed that education was the primary note. All felt strongly that an Exhibition like the one proposed would stimulate primary and secondary industries, and give push to Otago if followed up. He said followed up, because many exhibitions seemed to leave an unpleasant aftermath. Ho had no doubt that permanent benefit would be felt when the project was successfully carried out. Peeling had been manifested in many quarters that an Exhibition such as that was only for the time being; but that was erroneous. They were working for tho whole dominion, and thoir crying need was population. Such an Exhibition would bring overseas visitors and a considerable sum of overseas capital. The speaker had written to tho High Commissioner (Sir Jas. Allen) asking whether ■he could genome young men to come) out from England, and if they could it would bo of great benefit to Now Zealand. He appealed to all who could to go and see the Exhibition in tho course of erection, as one had no magnitude of conception of such an undertaking without a visit. Five of tho buildings were already laid out, and gave soma idea of the massiveness of tho project. Finance was a trouble. He asked for pra*ical assistance, and thought the idea to form a bay for Taieri was a good one. It wquld do a groat deal of good for the district. Viscount Jellicoo had promised to lay the foundation stone of tho Exhibition, which Mr Ross felt was going to be of mutual opportunities to overseas fronds and the dominion. It would bring -people herd to see what other countries were doing, and would be the finest ever seen in the Southern Hemisphere. The formation of a committee would provide a distinct nucleus, and the speaker looked for support from Taieri. County and Mosgiel. Mr Todd said that Otago was out for a first-class Exhibition. They were going to make it so successful that many of their northern friends would want to settle hero. When overseas visitors come they would see the cheap power and the cheap land we had. He thought they would have a very fine result from the Exhibition. Primary products wore wanted, and these should be shown to advantage. Tho directors intended making a tour of the whole province and setting up committees. He would suggest that tho committee bo subdivided into Finance Committee, Exhibit ' Committee, and Transport Committee. He felt sure that Taieri friends would take up a few shares, and hoped that Dunedin would have as much success as had Auckland. There would, ho thought, be a fair return for capital. His hopes for a successful wool clip wore expressed, as was the opinion that some fine samples would bo got.. There was an Agricultural and Pastoral Committee that would look after primary products, and the ultimate seeing of the exposition was bettor than writing or anything else. Tho people behind the Exhibition would make it a success. The directors were out to help tho district in every way, and wanted its help in return.

Mr Black (of the Agricultural and Pastoral Committee) said that tilings wore mostly nebulous ns far as the committee was concerned. What form arrangements would finally take ho could not say, but suggested that the court would bo divided into bays. Ho hoped the assistance of the country would bo forthcoming in putting these up in the best way. Considering that provinces on either side of Otago were making good showings the home province should see to its own. Though Otago was credited with being slow, remarkable solid progress had been made. Expansion was wanted, and with exhibits from Australia, America, Britain, and other places it would come about. The venture was perhaps more for the country than for the town, but was worthy of the support of both. They would get education even if only by competition. Whatever Taieri supported it would do so wholeheartedly. Mr Sincock endorsed what had been said, and said that secondary industries depended wholly upon the primary ones. The Exhibition would be a great success, and incidentally would be the third for Dunedin. The Christchurch Exhibition had been a Government one, and the Auckland one had been much smaller. Already £BO,OOO had been subscribed here. Otago was not so conservative as was supposed. When he told the northern people of the immensity of the venture they were surprised. Otago wanted to surpass any other province. How had the southern lakes been neglected while the northern resorts had been visited ? He hoped Taieri would show what could be put forward in the way of products. Mr Somerville said that what was required in Otago wa-s a vision of what the Exhibition was going to be. They had to get enthusiastic. He was convinced that the results would surprise residents of Now Zealand. They had the goods, manufactory, and fertility in Otago. The speaker trusted that there would bo a great revival in the South. IVIr Walls said he had listened very interestedly to the remarks of the directors, and he thought that Mosgiel and Taieri should support the Exhibition. For soma years Mosgiel had tried to expand, but not with much success—to make itself known and get a larger population. He was satisfied that tins was Mosgiol’s opportunity, but he would like to know what was in the Washing-up Bill that would authorise the defraying of expenses by gift payment. He suggested that a committee bo formed, and expressed a desire to see the Taieri County Council, the On tram Town Board, and the Mosgiel and Green Island Councils come together. Mr Findlay said lie felt sure that Taieri _peoplo would take the matter up, but be

did not know whether they would have a bay of thoir own. He was quite in sympathy with tho movement. Mr Tomkins said that the Exhibition was one that.called for support for the welfare of the dominion and Otago in particular. Green Hand was ono of the manufacturing districts of Dunedin, and probably could join hands in primary industry matters. lie regarded it as everyone's duty to do all in his power to assist. Mr A. H. Lennox, secretary of the Taieri branch of tho Expansion League, said that thb matter of Taieri representation at the Exhibition had been mooted previously. He was glad that the meeting had been held.

Mr William Blackie, manager of the Mosgiel Dairy Factory, said he was sure that the dairy company ho represented would do anything it could in the way of making up an exhibit. ' Ho was pleased to attend the meeting. Mr Ross answered Mr Walls’s question by reading tho following clause in the Washing-up Bill:—“ (1) Any local authority may, out of its ordinary revenue, defray the cost of collecting and preparing exhibits of the products and resources of its district, and of exhibiting the same at the Exhibition, or make the company grants for the purposes of the Exhibition. (3) For the purpose of -this section ’ local authority ’ means tho council of any city, borough, or county, or any roari. Board, town board, harbor board, drainage board, or education board.”

Mr Walls then proposed the formation of a local committee, with power to add to its number. His motion read:— “ That this meeting of residents of Mosgiel and Taieri County expresses its thanks to the directors of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition Company for the information afforded by them, and bogs to assure them of the hearty support of their undertaking by those represented at this mooting; also’that those present form a provisional committee to talk the matter over and see what can be done at a date to be fixed, Mr J. Logan (clerk of Taieri County Council) to act a Interim secretary.

Mr Lennox seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr W. Blackie thought that there should bo a separate committee for Middlcmareb, Mr Walls replied that there would bo several sub-committees at Green Island, Widdlemarch, Momona, North Taieri, and perhaps elsewhere. Mr Logan said it would bo necessary to have meetings all over the Taieri County. Mr Ross again addressed the meeting. He said that the directors would spare no pains in making the venture completely successful. The directors and office staff would render every possible assistance in the work of organising in the country. On "behalf of the directors he thanked the mayor and others present for thoir enthusiastic and cordial reception.