MUST CONTINUE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20034, 5 September 1939, Page 10

MUST CONTINUE

CENTENNIAL BODIES GOVERNMENT'S DECISION WELDING NATION’S SPIRIT MR. FRASER’S APPEAL (Pur Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Government has decided that the Organisations in existence for the preparation of New Zealand’s centennial celebrations shall continue to function as if there hud been no declaration of war,” said the acting Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, in a statement last night. Mr. Fraser said that with the announcement of the outbreak of war many questions had reached the Government asking whether, under the circumstances, the centennial organisations throughout New Zealand should continue to function, particularly in view of the published decision that the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition Company would carry on with ;he exniDition. “The Government sees no reason at the present juncture,” said Mr. Fraser, “why the centennial organisations should either be disbanded or cease to function. On the other hand, the whole spirit of the centennial to celebrate in becoming fashion the achievements of our first 100 years of national existence demands that unless dire necessity dictates otherwise, we should continue our work. Raising of Funds “It would be no tribute either to those who have gone before us or to ourselves of to-day if, at the present moment, we gave any such sign of weakness as would be apparent by the abandonment of our centennial proposals, or any other retreat from the rational functioning of our normal activities.”

It had been suggested, Mr. Fraser said, that the efforts now being directed to .the raising of funds for centennial memorials and celebrations should be diverted to raising funds for patriotic purposes. At the present juncture at least, and for some time, it was not likely that patriotic purposes would require funds on such a scale as would necessitate the ceasing of efforts to raise moneys for centennial or other normal activities for New Zealand’s national life.

“The whole spirit of the centennial,” added Mr. Fraser, “has been to arouse in our people a proper national pride. So far from the present position rendering a continuance of those efforts undesirable, I am of the opinion that the aspirations and responsibilities of the centennial efforts themselves will be a most valuable aid tt> cementing the national spirit which is so necessary just now.”