EXHIBITION OPENING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 124, 24 April 1940, Page 11

EXHIBITION OPENING.

ANZAC DAY FACILITIES. For Prosi? Association. WELLINGTON, April 23. “As a returned soldier myself, and together vrith other returned soldiers on the board of directors and on the management of the Centennial Exhibition and my other colleagues on the board, we regret the apparent misunderstanding that has arisen in connection with the proposal to open the exhibition on Anzac Day,” said the chairman of directors of the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition Company (Mr T. 0. A. Hislop), commenting today on the resolution carried at a special meeting of the executive committee of the New Zealand R.S.A. The resolution protested against the decision of the directors to open the exhibition from 3.30 p.m. onward on Anzac Day. “We would be most loath,” Mr Hislop. said, “to do anything to offend the spirit of that day. It was consequently decided that the exhibition would not open in the morning, nor till after the conclusion of the ceremonies at the War Memorial in the afternoon. This opening does not embrace the commercial side of the undertaking, and commercial exhibitors have been informed accordingly. “Art galleries, museums, and similar institutions are open during certain hours on Anzac Day and we feel that the non-commercial side of the exhibition is similar in character to such institutions. It should also be remembered that the exhibition is not an every-day commercial undertaking, but a great national display showing the growth of our country over the last 100 years. It should also be remembered that the exhibition is to continue only till May 4, and that every opportunity should be given to the people of New Zealand to sec it and gain inspiration from the story there unfolded. Because of the holiday of St. George’s Day, of Anzac Day itself, and of the holiday on Saturday in connection with the Second Echelon, many thousands of people have taken the opportunity of coming to Wellington with the desire, among other things, of seeing the exhibition. We do not wish to deprive them of this opportunity. A similar course was adopted on Christmas Day and, on Good Friday without objection.”