DOMINION’S CENTENARY

Evening Star, Issue 22277, 2 March 1936, Page 12

DOMINION’S CENTENARY

NATIONAL BASIS OF CELEBRATION URGED A PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, March 2. The desirability of celebrating the Dominion’s centenary in 194 U on a national basis was stressed by the Minister of internal Affairs, Mr Parry, who presided at the conference of principal local body representative* held to-day to discuss preliminary arrangements. Mr Parry said the questions were where the celebrations were to be hold, the period of commemoration, and the fixation of the relevant historical dates. One hundred years of organised government and settlement would be celebrated in 1940. The question of venue necessitated national co-operation on a generous scale. The Minister pointed out that there were national as well as local events to be considered in relation to venue; 1940 would be not so much centenary year as a year of centenaries, and according to one view it might be desirable to spread the celebrations over the year. He suggested the setting up of provincial committees similar to that already in operation in Auckland, for the fixation of relevant historical dates; also a national committee for the same purpose. Naturally, the Native race would figure prominently in the celebrations as a whole. The Minister of Industries aud Commerce, Mr Sullivan, also stressed the necessity for national co-operation. He agreed that the dominating feature should he a tribute to the pioneers, but asked whether it would be possible to secure the necessary organisations and finance for both local and national celebrations. Neither he nor Mr Parry had come to a decision on either point. Referring to the exhibition proposal, the Mayor of Wellington, Mr T. C. A. Hislop, said that during the term of his predecessor, an assurance was given by the then Government that if an international exhibition were held Wellington would be the venue. Wellington was the Dominion’s capital, and it was her turn for an exhibition.- Adeouafe facilities could be, made available for a scheme on the lines adopted at Dunedin. He suggested that the Government find a minimum of £IOO.OOO, the balance to he raised by the formation of a company and the issue of debentures to public bodies and others, aiming at a total capital of £300,000.