DUNEDIN’S GREAT DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12298, 18 November 1925, Page 8

DUNEDIN’S GREAT DAY

NEW ZEALAND AND SOUTH SEAS EXHIBITION OPENED FRUITION OF PLUCK AND INDUSTRY HUGE CROWD PRESENT TO WITNESS INAUGURAL CEREMONY Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, November 17. Dunedin breathes freely to-night, for the great red

letter day marking an important milestone along the Dominion’s highway of history has come and gone, leaving in its train pleasant memories of a great task begun, continued, and brought to a successful issue.

The weather was fine, though a southerly breeze was rather unpleasant during the morning. It persisted ,d the afternoon, but this perhaps was fortunate aa the sun was beating down with great fervour and the breeze tended to modify this. It had one bad quality, however. It prevented many people from hearing the speeches at the actual opening ceremony, although the speakers were aided by amplifiers which directed their voices to distant portions of the huge crowd. Til is was an innovation at such gatherings in New Zealand. Amplifiers also cajri«i the voices of the speakers to wireless stations in the Exhibition area, whence it broadcasted them throughout the Dominion, and the speeches were heard distinctly in many places. Before noon a great trek set in from the city eastward to the new wonder city, to an amphitheatre where once the mucky waters and knud flats of Lake Logan stood within an arm of the encircling hills. All the forenoon the final rnsli efforts were in evidence to get tilings shipshape, and when the gates were opened at noon the Exhibition pro sented a smiling face gaily beribboned and beflagged—for all the world like a young girl ready to flutter forth for the first time into the pleasures of the world. Huge crowds gathered and laid siege, to that entrance was not easily effected by those who delayed till after lunch hour. A little after 2 o’clock the GovernorGeneral left the Vice-Regal residence', in London street, the 13th Field Battery, N.Z.A., stationed in one corner of the Exhibition Park firing a general salute of nineteen guns. Entering by the west gate His Excellency proceeded through the avenue traversing the amusement area to the sports ground at the back of the main building, where the dais stood, opposite the sports ground and grandstand, which was packed by thousands of people, while all the foreground of the Governor-General’s progress was lined by Territorials and Cadets. The guard of honour was furnished by a detachment from H.M.S. Dunedin and the Ist Battalion Otago Infantry Regiment. His Excellency was received at ,tne entrance by Mr J. Sutherland Rots, president of the Exhibition, and members of the hoard of directors. His Excellency was in the uniform of tno Grenadier Guards, and was accompanied by his aide-de-camps and Colonel Young, Commandant of the Southern Command. He inspected the guard of honour, and then mounted the dais, where were gathered the Mayor, Mr J. L. Tapley, M.P., the Prime' Minister (Hon. J. G. Coates), Hon. G. J. Anderson, Sir Joseph Ward, and leading local figures, besides the principals of the Exhibition Company. “GOD DEFEND NEW ZEALAND!” While these movements were in progress an aeroplane droned its circuitous way about in the upper air, the French grey fusilage playing hide-and-seek with The sun behind the few lowflying wisps of cloud. As His Excellency mounted the dais the New Zealand ensign was broken out, the Cadet bugle-hand sounding the general salute. A march past of «the guard of honour and Territorials followed, His Excellency taking the salute at the head of the steps leading to the front of the dais. The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Band played appropriate quicksteps. After lie Exhibition Choir had led the singing of “God Defend New Zealand,” His Lordship the Bishop of Dunedin (Right Rev. Dr. Richaids). engaged in prayer, expressing thankfulness for the mercies received through Providence in the past, and the opportunities that had enabled the people to achieve this day’s wonderful step forward under God’s guidance in the man'll of progress and Christian civilisation. The reading of the "Scripture followed by the Rev. E. N. Merrington (of First Church), who recited the 67th Psalm. It was notable" that the Bible wherefrom he read was one brought out by the Rev. Thomas Bums, who came with the pioneers in the ship Philip Laing, which with the John Wycliffe, brought the first settlers to Otago in 1848. The “Old Hundredth” was” then sung by the assemblage, led by the Exhibition Choir, and accompanied by the Argyll’s Band. WONDERFUL MUSIC As His Excellency concluded with a declaration that the exhibition was open the Argyll’s Band sounded a fanfare of trumpets. , The exhibition architect, Mr E. An."combe, presented a gold key to the Governor-General, and an inkstand and pen to Lady Alice Fergusson. The Argyll’s band then played selections, including the poetic march. “The Vanished Army” (they never die), composed by the conductor of tho band, Mr Rickett, and dedicated to Kitchener’s “First Hundred Thousand.” This was followed by a beautiful Scottish suite by the combined pipes and band including: (a) Retreat march, “Torosay Castle”; (b), lament “Thou Hast Left Me Ever Jeannie”; and (c), ballad. “Road to the Isles.” These items held the hnge audience spellbound throughout. The National Anthem by the Argyll’s Band brought the formal opening ceremony to an end.

MESSAGE FROM KING m BEST WISHES FOR SUCCESS GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S OPENING ADDRESS. Mr J. Sutherland Ross (president of the exhibition), in welcoming and calling on the Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, to declare the exhibition open, .referred to the earlier efforts of the kind in New Zealand, and mentioned that there were present today. some who participated in Dunedin’s first exhibition in 1865. Among these were Professor White, Colonel E. R. Smith, Sir George Fenwick, and Sir Robert Stout. Mr Ross traced the progress of events in the promotion of the exhibition,. expressing appreciation of the manner in which the project was viewed throughout New Zealand, and in other parts of the Empire. The response had been so great that the scope of the enterprise had to be enlarged. Special thanks were due to the assistance rendered bv Great Britain, Canada and Australia. The Governor-General prefaced his remarks by reading a message from the King as follows: “I wish all possible success to the New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition, which opens to-day. I am confident that such a display of the resources, arts and manufactures of the Dominion itself, of other parts of the British Empire which are participating, and of foreign countries also cannot fail to achieve good results in promoting co-operation and prosperity among my people, and in furthering international goodwill.— George R. 1.” His Excellency also read a message from the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, Mr L. Amery, as follows: T ‘The Prime Minister has asked me to convey to you his best wishes with which I join my own for the success of the international exhibition, opening to-day in so beautiful a setting as is afforded by the city of Dunedin and its surrounding country.—Amery.” OFFICIALS CONGRATULATED

Proceeding pis Excellency said: “It gives me great pleasure to be here today with Her Excellency to open the New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition. No on can fail to be impressed by the magnitude of the enterprise which has brought together in this far-off land not only evidence of the growth and development of the Empire itself, hut also tangible results of the energy, industry and culture of the different nations of the world. To the promoters of the exhibition, to tho council and executive, to the architect, and to all who, bv their labours have contributed to this magnificent result I offer hearty congratulations. “I extend a warm welcome to the representatives, official and unofficial, of lands beyond. the sens and express the pleasure which we all feel at their presence. At this ceremony, to-day I ,cannot do better than onote the words of His Majesty the King on a similar occasion : ‘TboJßritish Emnire,’ His Majesty said, ‘depends for. its security and prosnerily on the goodwill between its constituent peoples and the sure foundation of that goodwill is the full knowledge of our mutual aspirations, capacities and needs.’ “Tt is the object of this exhibition to imnart that knowledge of which His Majesty sneaks. First and foremost we see before us the resources of our Empire and of the various contributions" to its wealth I and nrosperity which are made by the differqnt countries owning allegiance to it. SUICIDAL COMPETITION “We are enabled to realise the vast potentialities of such an Empire. Its natural wealth in raw material, its marvellous capacity for pastoral production. and for industrial output. We shall learn if we are wise, ho.w best to develop our respective resources to our common benefit by a study of each others’ needs, by mutual cooperation and co-ordination and" by avoidance of senseless and suicidal competition among ourselves. But this exhibition has still a wider scope. It will give to thousands an opportunity of studying the world from a new point of view, of learning from the evidence of their own eyes, something of the trade and commerce of countries outside the Empire. While we shall all feel a natural preference. for men of the same blood and allegiance to buy and sell from each other, yet we shall welcome the opportunity afforded of gaining information as. to the resources and industrial capacities of other countries with a view to the extension of trade to the mutual benefit of all. With knowledge will come sympathy, and with svmpathy goodwill of which the world is so much in need to-day. < MONUMENT TO THE PIONEERS “I ask the children who are present here to-day to realise the lesson of this exhibition. It represents, in its main features, the results of - the industry and self-sacrifioe of their fathers and grandfathers. It tells a tale of adventure, of hardship and of suffering bravely borne, of difficulties faced and overcome, of the triumph of the early pioneers and their descendants. It is a monument to those who have laboured in the past, and an indication of what may yet be accomplished, if the true Imperial spirit and character are fostered and preserved. Lastly, from this exhibition we shall learn a new conception of the Empire, and of our duty to it, and I trust that all of us who are its citizens will make a new and firm resolve that that duty shall bo faithfully and generously done. For on a proper appreciation of this duty and on a firm grasp by our people of the real meaning of Empire and its responsibilities hangs tho whole destiny of the British race. “I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may be upon this under-

taking, and that it may be instrumental, not only in drawing closer the bonds which unite this Dominion to the Mother Country and to our sister Dominions, but also in promoting the prosperity and contentment of mankind. \ “I declare the exhibition open, and wish it all success.” PLEASURE, AND REGRET SPEECH BY PRIME MINISTER RESULT OF PLUCK AND INDUSTRY. The Prime Minister, the Hon. J. G. Coates, said: '“lt is with feelings of pride and satisfaction I take part today in the inauguration of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition. The pleasure, however, is to some extent tinged with regret that my distinguished predeoessor is not here to join in the opening ceremony. “It , was to him that the promoters first turned in 1923 to seek co-opera-tion and assistance, and from the outset. Mr Massey, as head of the Government", continued to take a practical and sympathetic interest in its welfare and progress. Nothing, lam sure, would have given him greater satisfaction had he been spared than to have seen the splendid fruition which has attended the work of those responsible for the organisation of this fjreat enterprise. But after all the consummation of these labours is not necessarily a matter of wonderment, because it is characteristic of the energy and industry of the Scot in overcoming difficulties and giving practical effect to thit indomitable spirit to which New Zealand, and particularly Otago, owes so much of its building up from its very early days. “it is fitting that on such an occasion we should pay our tribute to those sturdy pioneers who braved manifold perils and endured tremendous hardships with true British pluck and courage. Posterity will ever hold these men and women in grateful memory. They very largely helped In solidly laying the foundations of this young nation upon which we are building today.” MESSAGES OF GOODWILL , Mr Coates eulogised the assistance rendered by other countries of the Empire to the exhibition, and read messages of goodwill from tho Prime Ministers of Canada and Australia. Mr Coates also quoted figures showing the wonderful progress made by the Dominion since the last international exhibition at Christchurch in 1906, and concluded with a statement that the public revenue of the Dominion was buoyant and disclosed a promising outlook. ' His closing remarks referred to New Zealand’s participation in foreign affairs. He expressed a belief that the Locarno Pact would he productive cf great and lasting . good. In any case New Zealand definitely took her stand with Great Britain in her attitude towards the pact. The Mayor of Dunedin (Mr H. L. Tapley, M.P.), was the last speaker, and he gave an epitome of Otago’s progress from the earliest days to the present time.