Centennial Plans; Government’s Policy

Northern Advocate, 17 March 1939, Page 9

Centennial Plans; Government’s Policy

The organisation of both national and provincial celebrations in connection with the 100th anniversary of organised government and settlement in New Zealand was discussed by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr. W. E. Parry) in his address to the Municipal Association of New Zealand. His department had been active, he said, and he thanked local bodies and committees for their public-spirited efforts in setting in train the necessary provincial organisations. “I think it will be generally conceded,” he said, “that in its programme of national celebrations, its national memorial, its historical publications, and its financial assistance to the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition and to provincial and local observances, the Government has given every encouragement to the people of New Zealand to unite in a whole-hearted effort to do honour to the pioneers who laid the foundation on which the nation has j been built, and at the same time leave for posterity a tangible record of the building process.”

Wishes of the People.

“The New Zealand Centennial Act, 1938, made provision for setting up provincial centennial councils in the various districts. All these councils have been constituted, ajid in most districts zone and local committees have also been appointed.. In a number of districts there is an impression that the observance of the Centennial is a matter solely for the local bodies. That is quite definitely not the position. It is the desire of the Government that every section of the people, in collaboration with the various local bodies, and through their community organisations and societies, shall have a voice in deciding the form of the local memorial, and that as far as possible every individual will be given an opportunity to subscribe to the Centennial funds or to assist in some way in the celebrations. “Without the assistance of the local bodies, the Government could not possibly have put into effect the organisation provided for in the New Zealand Centennial Act. My point is that in any district where consideration is being given to the question of holding Centennial celebrations and of providing a memorial, a committee should be set up as a duly constituted unit of the Centennial organisation. The necessity for such organisation has already been

established. The matter is of such importance that the National Centennial Council has decided that it will consider for approval only such projects as are initiated by a Centennial committee and recommended by the appropriate Provincial Centennial Council. “it has borne to my notice, also, that in one case at least, a local body contemplated raising the finance for a Centennial memorial by way of loan and paying the interest. and sinking fund on that loan out of its rate income,” he continued. “Such a proceeding is definitely at variance with the Government’s conception of an appropriate Centennial memorial, which, in its opinion and in the opinion of the National Centennial Council, should be' a gift to posterity and not an obligation. Consequently approval will not be given to any Centennial memorial which is to be financed by way of loan, and, therefore, such projects will not be considered for the Centennial subsidy of £1 for £3.” Appropriate Memorials.

Some units of the centennial organisation were still experiencing diffi- ] culty in determining what constiuted an appropriate memorial, Mr. Parry said. The matter was considered at a recent meeting of the National Centennial Council when it was decided; (1) That the nature of centennial memorials was a matter for approval, in the first place, by provincial centennial councils, but every such memorial should be so designed as to be worthy o fthe occasion and carry some feature appropriately recording the fact that it was a centennial memorial. (2) That every application for approval of a proposed memorial must be accompanied by at least a sketch design with full particulars and estimate of the cost. (3) That notwithstanding anything in the foregoing, the following would also be considered: (a) Historical publications appropriate to the centennial, subject to their being ap proved by the National Historical Commitee; (b) scholarships and other educational objects permanently endowed and approved by the National Council.

I think it will be generally accepted that any memorial which will have a general community appeal because of its dignity, beauty, usefulness and durability, will be appropriate,” he continued. “My personal view is that no better memorial can be conceived than the provision of a ‘centennial’ park on which trees could be planted to the memory of the pioneers of the district, and on which community amenities could be provided. I realise, however, that in many districts ample parks are

in existence, and therefore other types of memorial will have to. be selected.”

“Centennial” Trees.

I There was one form of commemorat- ! ing the centennial which should appeal I to all owners of private gardens, and that was to plant a “centennial” tree during 1940. Mr. Parry commended the proposal to all associated with the centennial organisation in the hope ,that they would further it in their respective districts. The cost to the would not be great, but in the aggregate the nation would have an asset of ever-increasing beauty and value. If the proposal were taken up i'with enthusiasm, consideration could be given to the question of providing at a small cost, a suitably-worded metal plaque similar to those supplied by the Coronation Planting Committee in London in connection with the treeplanting scheme adopted to commemorate the Coronation of King George VI. These plaques could be placed at the base of trees planted to commemorate the centennial. As there appeared to be some misapprehension as to the subsidy of £1 for £3 which it was proposed to pay on all subscriptions raised locally, the Minister outlined the Government’s policy. The position was that each Centennial Committee would open a centennial account into which would be paid all moneys collected for centennial observances in the committee’s district. Application could be made through the Provincial Centennial Council for the subsidy in respect of the amount credited to that account; but the committee would have authority to expend the subsidised moneys only on or in connection with centennial projects which had been approved by the National Centennial Council and the Government.

“You will see, therefore,” he said, “that so far as memorials and celebra-» tions are concerned, all that is required is an application for approval of the projects. A separate application supported by a duly certified statement of receipts will be necessary to obtain the centennial subsidy. As you are aware, the amount to be provided by the Government for subsidy purposes is £150,000. This has been apportioned on a population basis among the several provincial centennial districts, and it I will be for the Provincial Centennial Councils to determine how their respective allocations are to be apportioned among the several centres within their districts.” In conclusion, Mr. Parry, reminded the conference that a period of only about nine months remained to complete arrangements for the centennial observances, and expressed the hope | that a whole-hearted endeavour would be made to make them worthy of such a great event in the history of the Dominion.

Taurikura

The TaurfKura Women's Institute met on Saturday with a fair attendance. Mrs Potter presided. Visitors were welcomed. After correspondence was dealt with, came the surprise packets and trading table, which was eagerly cleared. Arrangements were made to celebrate the coming birthday by joining the scnool-children at their annual picnic. The hostesses for the day were Misses Ann Clyde, Joy Going and Edna Thorburn.