"POOR STUFF"

Evening Star, Issue 19196, 12 March 1926, Page 4

"POOR STUFF"

EXHIBITION STAMPS CONDEMNED

PHILATELISTS WART SAY IN FUTURE ISSUES

The Exhibition commemorative ffcamp issue has been so heartily condemned lor its artistic and general philatelic shortcomings in journals devoted to stamp collectors’ interests that it was inevitable tho matter should bo referred to at tho conference which was held yesterday in connection with tho third exhibition.

Cr W. B. Taverner, who is the mayor’s locum during His Worship’s holiday sojourn in the north, was the first to open fire, characterising tho stamp as “poor stuff.” The Deputymayor said that ho had developed a theory after studying the stamps on view, that the countries- of tho least importance in the world,of affairs were not only most prolific in the, production of stamps, but, that their issues were far more artistic than those favored by tho larger States. Following that theory to its logical conclusion* he proclaimed his belief that the Government really considered Dunedin was a very important place indeed, as the stamps were of such wretched quality. These remarks were made at the official opening, and later on the visiting philatelists also had something to say on the subject, when Air W. L. Hooper, on behalf of the Dunedin Club, moved tho following remit That, seeing that the Now Zealand 1925-26 Exhibition stamps are neither a credit to the dominion nor to the artist, in future the Postal Department be respect!ally asked to consult the New Zealand Philatelic Council whenever an issue is projected.” . ... , The mover said that they did not look on commemorative issues with a kindly eve; but apart from that, he considered that the stamps'could, have been something much more creditable to the dominion than they were. r llicv might have had three stamps, two or them with a North Island and a South Island scone respectively, and the third hearing an engraving of, tho Exhibition buildings. 'That,, he said, would have prevented anv ;nterislnnd jealousies. Tho speaker hinted that he knew somethine; about the u inner history or the whole business.” Efforts had been mado, he averred, on the part of tho Exhibition directors to get the Government to do something, but although one of the directors had plied his quest with commendable vigor nothing had eventuated, and they had the stamps foisted on them. Other speakers said that the stamps were anything but a good advertisement, and that they had been unfavorably commented upon m papers outside New Zealand. It was considered that had the New, Zealand Philatelists’ Council been in touch with the Postmaster-General something might have been done to prevent what was considered to be nothing short of a philatelic outrage. Air R. J. G. Collins (secretary) said that the designs had not met with the approval of the authorities in Wellington, but they had been forced to accept them., The remit was carried.