BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18755, 8 January 1923, Page 6

BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION

OFFICIAL INQUIRY TO BE ASKED FOR. SIR JOSEPH COOK’S EXPLANATION. THE NEW ZEALAND SITE, (From Our, Own Correspondent.) LONDON, November 34. A meeting of the Executive Council of the British Empire Exhibition was held last week, at which the representatives of the dominions were present. An interesting feature attaching to this meeting, which was private, was a statement made by the Morning Post regarding it. “We understand on good authority,” the Post reported, “that after a. distinctly stormy meeting the Executive Committee of tho British Empire Exhibition decided unanimously that the president, the Duke of Devonshire, and (wo members of the committee should approach the Board of Trade and ask for an official inquiry. A suggestion that the inquiry should be conducted by the committee itself or its nominees was raised end withdrawn. No decision was taken as to confirming the management’s recommendation with regard to the amusements contract.'' DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE’S EXPLANATION. Subsequently the Duke of Devonshire addressed the following letter to the press: “It is stated in the Morning Post of November 18, ‘on good authority,’ that after a distinctly stormy meeting the Executive Council of the British Empire Exhibition decided unanimously to ask for an official inquiry. As I was in the chair at that meeting, I can state on perhaps even better authority that this description of the meeting is quite inaccurate, and that the views of the council were precisely the reverse of what ia ouggested. Tho council were unanimously of opinion that there war, no justification for the criticisms which had been levelled at the Exhibition management, and they- strongly opposed the suggestion of an outside inquiry. We felt, however, that, in view of the responsibility which the Government have assumed in reference to the Exhibition we ought to make it perfectly clear that we should welcome any investigation which the Government might consider advisable, and I, together with two of ray colleagues on the council, was deputed to consult with tho president of the Board of Trade on the matter. The only possible justification for the description of the meeting as ‘stormy’ is the natural indignation expressed by the members of the council at the action of Mv Robert Donald in publishing alarmist statements in the press with reference to his difference with his colleagues on the Management Committee without first appealing to the Executive Council." Mr Donald had a prompt reply to the reference to himself. He wrote; “With reference to fhe Duke of Devonshire’s statement that I should have appealed first to the Executive Council on the question of the use of Empire produce to the British Empire Exhibition before giving publicity to the subject, allow me to point out that on two occasions—namely, on June 27 and July 25, the Executive Council endorsed the policy that it was impracticable to run_ the restaurants solely with Empire produce. AUTHORITATIVE STATEMENT TO BE MADE. Sir Joseph Cook, I understand, took a very firm stand at the meeting of the Executive Council. It is all the tnore interesting, therefore, to read his public statement, concerning the position generally. “After ray experience, ’’ he said in an interview; "of the Management Committee and Executive Council, one or two meetings of which I have attended, I think I may say that things are moving forward now on quite satisfactory lines. At Friday’s meeting of the Executive Council 1 stated the position on behalf of the commonwealth, in what I conceived to be very clear terms. Briefly what 1 insisted upon was that this was an exhibition which was designed to promote the interests and popularise the products of the dominions, and that therefore under no circumstances could the dominions consent to any product being used in the exhibition other than their own. Speaking on behalf of the commonwealth, which has allocated £200,000 to cover the cost of representation in this exhibition, I said that we should see that everything in our own pavilions Miould be our own production, and that, u possible, everything in every other section of the exhibition should be the product of some part or other of the British Empire. Otherwise why call it a ‘British Empire Exhibition.’ ? ’ Having regard to the number of complaints and criticisms which have reached the council, some of which have come from unsuccessful tenderers, tho council has deemed it wise that alter the fullest inquiry has been made an authoritative statement should be issued to tho public. That statement, 1 take it, will be made after the consultation which the Duke of Devonshire has announced he and two of his colleagues on the council propose to have with the president ol the Board ol Trade.” Kir Joseph added that the public of Great Britain and of the dominions might take it for giantccl toat with the Duke of Devonshire ns head ot tho Executive Council, and witn all tho dominions lepreseuterl upon loth the Executive Council and the Management Committee by the High Commissioners, tho interests of tiros? dominions would not be disregarded in the slightest degree. Sir Joseph cone.tided: “I am fully convinced that tho Duke of Devonshire and the committer generally are in sympathy with the wishes of tho dominions in this matter, and the public can feci equally confident that with the Duke at the head of the executive body, nothing will b? p.nnitted to be dona that could hi inimical to the interests of the dominions.” BUSINES MEN. “In order to avoid further misconception in ths public mind as to the alleged absence of business men from the management of the British Empire Exhibition,” the Duke of Devonshire again writes, “it seems desirable to point out that the Executive Council, which meets regularly, contains a large number of names representative of finance, industry, shipping, and other branches of commerce. In addition to the proceedings of the council, full use is made of the services of many of these gentlemen in tho regular meetings of the Finance and Management Committees, and ot the Accounts, Concessions, and Contracts, Estimates, Guarantee Fund, and other sub-committecs. The General Committee ia a body of a more formal character, consisting of some eleven hundred members, to whom an invitation was extended by reason of the desirability of securing the general support of a largo body of persons distinguished in commerce and other occupations whose interest it is desired to have, and who may be too busy, in other directions, to attend, many meetings. It should be added that H.R.H. the Prince of Wales is President of the General Committee, and has taken an active part in forwarding its object. It is hoped, further, as progress with the exhibition proceeds, to keep the members of the General Committee closely in touch with the work.” DOMINIONS’ SHAKE IN PROFITS. Sir James Allen has had a good deal to do fn connection with the exhibition, and it is naturally creating work which will have to be taken over shortly by some one appointed by the New Zealand Government to devote his entire attention to it. Apropos of the meeting of the Executive Council, the High Commissioner remarked that tho exhibition was a private enterprise supported by the Government. There was no intention of making a profit, but if t lie re were a profit the money would ba devoted to some charitable objects, and the dominions would have 50 per cent, of the profit allotted to them. The question of the New Zealand site, said Sir James, is practically settled. There was .sonic question of removing the Malay site to make more room for New Zealand. This has been found impossible, however. But tho Art Gallery which is to be on the left front of the dominion building, will probably bo moved further down, and tho ground thus procured will bo taken by New Zealand. An area of 40,000 square feel will be available for building purposes, and two acres of ground lor gardens. In addition a certain portion of the ornamental waters will be made available for cances. Sir James added t hat he had been putting up suggestions concerning tho restaurant and the exhibits, but, he said, “1 think somebody should be appointed to control the New Zealand section very soon. India has already appointed a man, and I am sure Australia has too.”