EMPIRE DISPLAYS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23029, 5 May 1938, Page 15

EMPIRE DISPLAYS

GLASGOW EXHIBITION OPENING BY THE KING EULOGY OF SCOTLAND VITALITY AND INITIATIVE By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright LONDON. May 3 Guns boomed and aeroplanes roared overhead to-day as King George, who was accompanied by Queen Elizabeth, opened the Empire Exhibition at Glasgow in the presence of 100,000 people. The King, in his speech, praised those responsible for their enterprise, enthusiasm and hard work that had made a town of more than 100 palaces and pavilions within a little over 10 months. His Majesty said:— It Is a significant fact that the plans lor the exhibition were being prepared when Scotland was under the cloud o! long industrial depression and many people would have hesitated to embark on a formidable scheme which, moreover, inevitably challenged comparison, with the Wembley, New Zealand and South African exhibitions. But it is not Scotland's way to be daunted. She believes that new enterprise is the safest insurance against a return of depression. I see therein the symbol of the vitality and initiative on which Scotland's continued prosperity rests. I am aware \that without the generous help and support of the rest of the Empire the exhibition would have been impossible. It now stands to testify to the willing cooperation which I rejoice to think is the hallmark of the British CJommonwealth of Nations.

The King paid tribute to the variety of products and the skill and resources j shown in the fine pavilions which he said he hoped would be the meeting place for members of many nationalities, thus helping toward a better understanding among the peoples of the world. Their Majesties first visited the Australian pavilion, where the Queen fed a kangaroo with raisins. Mr. S. M. Bruce, High Commissioner, presented the Queen with toy koala bears, which 'she said she loved. The Royal visitors spent a long time in the New Zealand pavilion, where they were received by Mr. W. J. Jordan, High Commissioner, and Mrs. Jordan, and a group of officials. The Queen was delighted with the gift of a pair of sheepskin gloves. She chatted with two dairymaids who were slicing New Zealand butter, and remarked on how appetising it looked. Her Majesty also inquired about the price and Quality of New Zealand bacon. A hopeless break in traffic and other arrangements marked the opening of the exhibition. Many Dominion officials suffered and some were forced to raid stalls to obtain luncheon. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan were forced to travel from the city to the exhibition in a bus.