GREAT EXHIBITION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22585, 25 November 1936, Page 10

GREAT EXHIBITION

EMPIRE DISPLAY JOHANNESBURG OPENING Voices of the premiers THE NEW ZEALAND COURT [FROM OCR OWN correspondent] JOJIANNKSUUKU, Nov. :? The New Zealand Government in its pavilion at tho British Empire Exhibition hero sets out to tell people of a tourists' and sportuien's paradise. And it is succeeding. Tho pavilion is claiming a great deal of attention. For the first time thousands of South Africans are learning something about tho wonder of New Zealand.

Hugo paintings and photographs are telling tho tale. They show the grandeur of the New Zealand scenery, diversified as perhaps in 110 other country. They show the contrasts which New Zealand offers between snow-capped mountains and geysers, magnificent fiords and lovely lakes, rock-bound coasts hung and festooned with gorgeous shrubs, the peaceful pastoral areas and tho towns and cities^ Local Anglers Uneasy The display does a great deal to strengthen the claim that New Zealand is a land for sportsmen. Those pictures are making South African

anglers uneasy. The most impressive specimen is the huge swordfish, hanging in a prominent position in tho pavilion. A 12pointer Boyal red deer and heads of the chamois which have found a favourable habitat in the New Zealand alps are also shown. Thei'e are several remarkable studies of Mount Eguiont, said to be the shapliest cone in the world. Tho work of Maori craftsmen is aiso creating a great deal of interest. Industrial displays include New Zea-land-made tennis and Badminton racquets, travelling and floor rugs, canned goods, fishing rods and tackle. And there is a fine display of New Zealand wool. Industrialism is only a secondary part of the exhibit. The pavilion essentially shows i\ejw Zealand as tbe "Playground of the Pacific." Mr. Savage Speaks

The whole Empire listened-in when the exhibition was opened. But it would be diiiicult for those in far-off Dominions to picture the memorable scene when Jlis Excellency the Governor-General of South Africa, the Earl of Clarendon, declared it open. The most significant pomp that Johannesburg lias ever known. Thus the opening was described. The thousands of people in the arena were, in a sense, in the centre of the Empire for. they knew that the Dominions were listening eagerly to the proceedings. And perhaps the greatest thrill of all was tne receipt oi the speeches of the Dominion premiers. First .came the voice of Britain (Mr. Stanley Baldwin), full-bodied, noble, self-assured. Then came the voice of Canada (Mr. W. L. Mackenzie King), sharp, realistic and penetrating.

Then came the voice of Australia (Mr. J. A. Lyons), brisk and friendly. Finally came the voice of New Zealand (Mr. M. J. Savage), deep, slow and musical. As each Premier spoke, the flag of his country broke from one of a row of mastheads before the grandstand. The message of goodwill from the King the release of 1200 doves from the great Tower of Light were highlights in an unforgettable day.