THE EXHIBITION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 18, 17 December 1938, Page 3

THE EXHIBITION

BETTER RESPONSE DESIRED. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. 16. A visit was paid to the Centennial Exhibition this morning by the Prime Minister (Mr Savage), accompanied by Hon. D. G. Sullivan, who is the jiresident, and several other members of Cabinet, the Mayor of Wellington (Mr pislop), who is the chairman of directors, and members of the City Council.

Mr Hislop said they appreciated the visit of the Cabinet Ministers, especially that of Mr Sullivan. The directors were not entirely satisfied that the space taken by'New Zealand products and particularly New Zealand manufactures was worthy of the occasion. Wellington had done well, also Dunedin, but Christchurch and Auckland badly. What was needed was a drive to let the people realise they had an opportunity or showing what New Zealand could do. At a later stage Mr Sullivan offered that, if Mr Hislop would accompany him, he would tour the chief centres and address manufacturers, pointing out the opportunity they had of putting before the world the Dominion’s manufactured products, many of which were unexcelled and all of which were a credit. He had sufficient belief in the eommonsense of the people that they would respond and seize the opportunity of fully displaying the manufacturing industry'.

Subsequently' it was ascertained that Mr Hislop had consented to this proposal. Mr Savage, in the course of a lengthy address, expressed amazement the. progress made with the erection of the buildings, and the quality of the work- The exhibition would reflect the achievements of the century. Some of them were wonderful achievements. He supported Mr Hislop in his desire that New Zealand products should be placed before the world. The Government was building a new Dominion. It had no other object except to put aside anything that would interfere with the progress of the country, from North Cape to the Bluff, and it wished to see goods displayed that would fully represent the work of the people. The factories of New Zealand compared very favourably with similar institutions in other lands. It was necessary that every manufacturer should be worthily represented for New Zealand to show the world it could compete with the best in the way of goods and services. The object of the exhibition was to say to the people of the woril that our goods or services were at least equal to theirs.

Mr Sullivan drew attention to the fact that, including the cost of the Government court, the Government had to date supported the exhibition to the extent of £162.000. With the assistance of the departments and servants of the Government, the court would be thoroughly representative.