AUCKLAND APATHY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23382, 26 June 1939, Page 14

AUCKLAND APATHY

NATIONAL EXHIBITION LITTLE SPACE TAKEN APPEAL FOR SUPPORT Excellent progress with the preparations l'or the Now Zealand Centennial Exhibition in Wellington, which is to he opened on November S, is reported by Mr. Frank Campbell, one of the directors of the enterprise. Nlr. (.'ampbell arrived in Auckland on Saturday morning on exhibition business, and is to return south to-morrow evening. The main buildings on the 00-aoro site are now all completed, Mr. Campbell said, and many of the stalls are in course of erection. Space is filling rapidly, and the total percentage sold or reserved is 78 per cent. The capital aimed at is £225,000, and of this £150,000 is required from the public. Up to date £127,000 has been subscribed, and of this only £llOO has como from Auckland, where there are but fivo contributors to the share capital. '"L want to stir Auckland from its apathy," said Mr. Campbell. ''This is a national Centennial Exhibition, and not just a. winter show. \Y by some of tho big Auckland firms, that have had almost a hundred years of existence, are not supporting it is a mystery." Ho pointed out that the directors hoped to be able to return los in the pound of the subscribed capital. Twenty Auckland Exhibits

Of tho live exhibit blocks —manufacturing, motor industry, engineering, Government and Dominion courts — the two latter were 100 per cent booked, but there was still a considerable amount of space left in the other three. Only about four months remained, however, in which to make preparations. So far from Auckland only about 20 firms —and the term included some religious organisations—were exhibiting. While admitting that recent restrictions had somewhat discouraged importers. Mr. Campbell .said it must bo remembered that these restrictions wcro not permanent in character, and the opportunity of showing goods to the 5,000,000 Visitors who were expected to attend the Exhibition during its six mouths' currency was something to be seriously considered. Manufacturers were putting up the plea that they were too busy to exhibit. but would it not be wise. Mr. Campbell asked, even if the exhibit was but a small one, loyally to support the enterprise, and show the public of New Zealand the mass of goods that can be made here? Removing a Reproach

It was realised, of course, that Auckland was celebrating the Centennial locally in a manner befitting the province, but that display would be seen chiefly by Auckland people who were already well informed of the wonderful resources and achievements of the province. Tt would be better to make these things known to people in other parts. Mr. Campbell said he wished to urge the business people to do their part in removing what would be in "years to come a reproach on the Auckland Province if they did not show the record of its advancement in both primary and manufacturing industries.