NEW ZEALAND CENTENARY.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 June 1936, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND CENTENARY.

WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL DO. RECOGNITION OF HISTORICAL EVENTS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Policy decisions of the Government in preparation for the celebrating of New Zealand’s centenary in 1940 were placed before the National Centennial Committee by the Chairman. Hon. \V. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, to-day. The Government, he said, had decided that the event be celebrated by:(1) Permanent memorials, including a National memorial to be erected by the Government; (2) A series of historical surveys of the first hundred years of New Zealand’s National life; (3) Suitable celebrations both National and local throughout 1940. Apart from the cost of the National memorial and the historical surveys, ho said the Government contemplated providing £250,000 for celebrations. On the question of permanent memorials, Mr. Parry said the government would provide the cost of and erect a permanent National memorial. Further than that, he could not go at present. Its form was under consideration by the Government and an announcement would be made in due course. The Government would make provision for subsidising moneys raised locally for memorials duly approved. A National committee would be set up at an early date to go fully into the question of historical surveys.

He visualised a scries of works by the most competent authorities in Hew Zealand on every phrase of our national life, written, moreover, for general reading as well as for the purposes of a historical record. As to the actual celebrations, he divided these into five - classes:— (1) Gelebration of events of National importance at places where events actually occurred; the Waitangi Treaty ( at Waitangi, and the proclamation of Sovereignty over the South Island at Akaroa were quoted to illustrate what he meant; (2) 'Purely local celebrations. This was divisable into (a) particular local events and (b) general celebrations to honour the centenary; (3) Maori celebrations at a fourth exhibition at Wellington; (5) Special attractions for overseas visitors. In regard to the expenditure of the £250,000 mentioned above, he said this ptrovided up to a maximum of £75,000 loan and subsidy for an exhibition at (Wellington and the balance for National celebrations held by the Government itself, or by provincial organisations o"n behalf of the Government, and _subsidising at £1 for £3 on moneys raised locally for local celebrations or memorials, In addition to all the above, the Government would bear the cost of suitably entertaining guests from, invited by the Government, and would also, between now and 11)40, suitably increase the vote to the tourist and Publicity Department for advertising abroad and providing special tourist attractions.