THE BRITISH EXHIBITION

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11410, 5 January 1923, Page 10

THE BRITISH EXHIBITION

FLANS FOR NEW ZEALAND * COURT. MAORI CANOES ON LAKE. _ LONDON, November 24. The fate of the Empire Exhibition, which seemed fair a space to tremble in tho balance, at the moment of writing appears to have taken on a more favourable aspect. . ! Although the opening meeting of the exeoutive, on which, for the first time, Dominion representatives sat, was not' exactly a quiet affair, the troubles that met the High Commissioners were for the most part those of misunderstanding, . and Adjustable when time has been had to allow the Dominions to make themselves felt—as they fully intend to_do. It is just at this moment of radical reconstruction that Major Belcher’s mission achieves completion by the coming in of Canada. The extent to whioh the Dominions are taking part is shown in the following table:—■ Approximate amount to Space in "be spent, sq.ft. • £ Australia ......* 150,000 250,000 Canada ...... 150,000 Notstated India 100,000 167,000 New Zealand'... 40,000 60,000 : South Africa ... 25,000 30,000 Newfoundland ... . 8,000 10,000 This means a total of 473,000 square feet apart from the space reserved ‘for the varibua groups of colonies and protectorates, which exceeds 120,000 square feet. Malaya and the Straits Settlements proposed to take 60,000 square feet, and have agreed on an expenditure of £50,000. The High Commissioner for New Zealand it) very well pleased with the allocation of site he ihas pecured for the Uomiqion. It holds. a commanding position at the end of the central, vista of water and gardens around which the buildings are grouped. This central area is a very long rectangle, acroaa one end of which the New Zealand court will be plaoed. It is thus visible from every part of the. open-air central space. What Sir James, Allen regards as an interesting; point is' that the New Zealand court will be next the British. Fine Art Gallery. While the site is settled the architectural plans are only in nimbus. In the planning out of such schemes Captain Donne has, of course, experience second to none, and Mr H. C. Cameron—-although he has formally retired' from the service—is being retained in order that the New Zealand Government may have the advantage of his experience in exhibition work. The High Commissioner has asked the general staff in New Zealand House to make suggestions likely to be helpful. For the moment it. is regretted as probable that an art gallery, a , New Zealand historical exhibit, and a ffifnema should be comprised in the scheme. A model dairy farm is suggested, as also a restaurant and tea room.

It is, in fact, the question of restaurants on which the old executive of the exhibition came to grief. Gan they or can they not be run , on purely Dominion supplies? One financial paper yesterday advised some enterprising Dominion representatives to get 'in early by obtaining from big firms; of caterers a list or all the_ articles it uses, together with statements of ;tho quantities of each . required to cuter for so many thousands, for, sty, 'six months, and definite particulars 'of the 'commodities and quantities his Dominion could supply. Sir James would like to see some Mflori canoes on the artificial lake at the doom of the New Zealand court, and he hopes that a really good specimen of a Maori where will be obtainable and erected within the New Zealand area.

Some space will, of course, be allocated to the display of Government productions and for those of private enterprise. In the meantime, lacking definite information as to what these two latter will require of space and so on, it is difficult to plan effectively. It is understood that, at the request of the New Zealand Government, the High Commissioner is submitting* alternative plans for the exhibition soheme.