UNITED EMPIRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23009, 9 April 1938, Page 15

UNITED EMPIRE

GLASGOW EXHIBITION SIGNIFICANCE STRESSED NO MERE NATIONAL DISPLAY By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright British Wireless HL'GBY, April 7 The Prime Minister, Mr. Cham berlain, spoke at Westminster Hall, London, at a meeting held to wish success to the Empire Exhibition at Glasgow. "It is proper," said Mr. Chamberlain, "that the message we send from this ancient hall should travel beyond the shores of these islands to those distant lands overseas which are linked with us in common allegiance to the Crown, for the exhibition, as its aim shows, is theirs as well as ours.

"In it an attempt has been made to present a picture of culture, life and industry, not of one country but of many countries of the Empire. The exhibition is, therefore. no mere national display. It is something more, and for this reason it has a special significance at this time.

Contribution to Peace and Progress ' "Now. more, perhaps, than at any other time, there is need for cooperation and understanding between the nations. We of the British Commonwealth can give a living example of these principles. We are pledged to work for peace and progress in the world, and it is my hope that the exhibition will make a contribution to that end.

"By helping the peoples of the Empire to know and understand one .inother, it will strengthen their powers of common effort by letting the people of other countries see something of ourselves. It will help them to appreciate more clearly our work and aims. Yet we must remember that the exhibition is being held in Scotland, and was brought into being by Scottish enterprise, initiative and money.

"It is very fitting, for Scotland has made, and will continue to make, a notable contribution to Imperial development. People of Scottish birth and origin are to be found in all corners of the Empire. New Scotland Being Built

"I hope that many of them, and many people from countries outside the Empire, will visit the exhibition. These visitors will see much of Scotland itself, and will recapture something of its spirit and traditions. "They will believe and see that a new Scotland is being built on the traditions of old Scotland, and will carry away with them an impression of vitality, enterprise and resolve on the part of Scotland to keep the notable place in Imperial and world affairs which | she occupied in the past. "In the meanwhile, the exhibition typifies in its 100 pavilions and 175 acres many of the tasks of the whole of the world to-day. In our Commonwealth of Nations we have 500,000,000 I people. They trade with each other to the extent of £700,000,000 per yeaj\ and with the rest of the world to the extent of £1,500,000,000. A World Community

"Neither the United Kingdom, nor any component part of the Empire, is or seeks to be a closed circuit. For agricultural products and the industrial and raw materials, the United Kingdom remains the great entrepot of the world—her trade was worth over £110,000,000 last year. "And this gives our community its special character —a world community responsive to all currents and all changes—but all this must rest upon a strong, consolidated base at home.

"It was an idea very near to the heart of my father, whose proudest title was that of Colonial 'Secretary; it is an ideal which I have done my utmost to forward, not for a narrow aim alone, but because I firmly believe that the first duty we owe to the world is to do our utmost, with decision; for which" we and we alone have responsibility."