CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 22 June 1936, Page 4

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS

THE Government is to be congratulated on the comprehensive report which the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) placed before the National Centennial Committee in Wellington last week. It matters little whether the Government’s proposals for the fitting celebration of New Zealand’s centenary in 1940 were the product of the Minister or of his responsible officers, or whether they were produced in collaboration; they bore evidence of a full appreciation of the important event, and of much thought and vision. In our opinion the financial assistance which the Government is prepared to give is reasonable and by many will be deemed to be generous. That was the view taken by the Centennial Committee —the word “centennial” has been chosen to avoid controversy regarding che pronounciation of “centenary”—and although there may be some differences of opinion on details, these may well be left for later consideration, first of all at a Dominion conference which is to be held.

“Permanent memorials,” including a national memorial to be erected by the Government, is the first item on the Government’s plan, and the Minister made it clear that this did not mean monuments in stone and marble but something of more practical use and equally permanent. Then there will be a series of historical surveys of New Zealand’s national life, and, finally, suitable celebrations both national and local, throughout 1940. Apart from the cost of the national memorial and the historical surveys, the Government contemplates providing £250,000 for the celebrations. The extent to which the assistance will be given the proposed Exhibition in Wellington was the cause of some discussion, and the Wellington copnmitloe has asked for more than the Government is prepared to give. We think, however, that the offer of a loan of £25,000 free of interest and a subsidy of £1 for £2 on subscribed share capital up to a limit of £50,000 is generous, especially in view of the additional centennial celebration commitments of the Government. Wellington will derive the greatest benefits from the Exhibition, and. if it has confidence in the project, should be prepared to run the risk of carrying the greatest proportion of the financial responsibility involved. The Exhibition will be sandwiched in between two vastly greater overseas International Exhibitions, and although it would undoubtedly attract many visitors from all parts of New Zealand, it cannot be claimed that it would be a great inducement for people from overseas to come to the Dominion at that time.

Preparation for the Centennial celebration is not being taken in hand any

too soon as there will bo a tremendous j amount of preliminary work to do to ensure success, both nationally and : locally, for local celebrations are to j be held, and will be included in the j Government’s subsidy proposals, j Mention of local celebrations should j act as a reminder that Nelson must j begin to prepare to commemorate in suitable manner its own centenary two years later. The work of Dr. F. A. Bett in collecting records of early days is undoubtedly the greatest contribution that, has been made locally to all that is involved in the centennial celebration. The ex-Mayor (Mr W. J. Moffatt) had—and no doubt still has—the ambition to see erected as a memorial to our courageous pioneers, an Early Settlers’ Hall, in which would be stored and exhibited documents, records and illustrations, or anything else associated with the early history of Nelson. Such a building would provide a meeting-place for early settlers and their descendants, and a hail in which notable local events of the past could be. fittingly celebrated. With a Government subsidy some such scheme might become more easily attainable. It is not too early to take preliminary steps in Nelson, as was suggested at a recent public meeting. Over four years ago the fate Bishop Sadlier, who had accumulated a mass of interesting material in the course of his researches into the early history of the Anglican Church of this diocese,, gave reminders that the centenary was only ten years off, and advocated that a systematic effort should be made to obtain authentic records and documents —with a view to publication if possible. Financial considerations will prove to be of great importance, and to ensure sound finance a start to raise funds should be put in hand without delay. A Government subsidy on a basis of £1 for £3 on money raised locally for local celebrations or memorials is promised, and should be availed of in Nelson. A lead is needed.