WORLD FAIR

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1939, Page 5

WORLD FAIR

OPENING. SCENE

SPEECH BY ROOSEVELT (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). NEW YORK, April 30. Hundreds of thousands invaded the city today in anticipation of the opening of the 160,000,000 dollar World’s Fair, to-clay, which continues til! October. Mr Roosevelt inaugurated the Fair, before an estimated crowd of 1,000,000. Thirty-five warships are congregated in the harbour, with 12,000 men in their crews. The hotels are hooked to capacity. In opening the Fair, Mr Roosevelt stressed America as a land where there was a tolerance of rules. He expressed the hope that Europe would eventually -reak down the barriers of races and creeds, and live in peace. “We in the United States, and indeed in all the America's, remember that our populations come from many races, kindreds and tongues,” he said. “Often L think that we Americans offer up a silent prayer that, on the Continent of Europe, from which the American Hemisphere was principally colonised, future years will break down many barriers to intercourse between nations- —barriers which may be historic but which so greatly throughout the centuries have lad to strife, and hindered friendship and normal intercourse.”

He expressed the opinion that general participation in the Fair by other countries was a gesture of friendship and goodwill. For her Court, New Zealand has been allotted 10,000 ft. of covered space, free of charge, in the British Empire building. In keeping with the general scheme, the New Zealand court is being planned with a view to prestige, simplicity and distinctive design. The exhibits will include working models of Rotorua and Milford Sound, a landscape section with native scrubs, waterfall and other features, and a large map of New Zealand, showing points of interest by a system of flashing lamps. Primary and secondary industries in New Zealand are being dealt with in a manner which conforms to the keynote of the whole Empire exhibition and the display will comprise dioramas and large photographs revealing the progress made in industry and shbwing that, the Dominion’s farms and factories are modern and well equipped. The 155,000,000 dollar World’s Fair opened to-day for a hundred-day season. The officials had predicted an opening crowd of 1,000,000, but, possibly due to cold, and wet weather, only 149,000 paid admissions bad been recorded by nightfall. The outstanding event of the opening was President Roosevelt's speech. Members of Congress were special guests, they having arrived by special train from Washington.

An interesting feature was the lighting ceremony. A scientific “trap” caught cosmic rays from the earth’s outer atmosphere, closing a master switch, and turning the Fair into a fairyland of light with vari-coloured fountains, setting off the rainbow hues of the buildings.

Although the Fair officials were disappointed at the opening day attendance, the officials at Australian Exhibit found the day encouraging. Forty thousand visitors passed through the Australian Pavilion in the first seven hours. Six reception officials were kept busy answering their inquiries. The interest shown in the industrial activity in Australia was gratifying, FIRST DAY’S ATTENDANCE. NEW YORK, May 1. The World’s Fair attendance for the opening day totalled 600,000, which was 400,000 below the prediction, hut it is considered good in view of the adverse weather. Mr and Mrs Bruce toured the Fair in the morning, accompanied by Mr MacGregor, and attended the official luncheon. Mr Bruce was assigned to a place of honour next to Mr Roosevelt on the speakers’ platform at the opening ceremony.