HON. G. J. ANDERSON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19505, 13 June 1925, Page 8

HON. G. J. ANDERSON.

VISIT TO EXHIBITION BUILDINGS. ENTERTAINED BY DIRECTORS. AN INTERESTING SPEECH. The Hon. G. J. Anderson (Minister of , Labour and Mines and Acting Minister ot Industries and Commerce) paid a visit ot inspection to Logan Park yesteraay moming, and spent some time in looking over the buildings, in the erection of which splesidid progress has been made. At' 12.45 o.m. the Minister was entertained at luncheon by the directors of the Now Zealand and South Seas Exhibition Company. There were between 30 and 40 people present, including the majority of the directors, the general manager (Mr Hainsworth). the secretary (Mr Spence), Sir John Sinclair, and the Hon. G. M. Thomson M-L-C.’s, Messrs T. K. Sidey, and J. M. Dickson, M.P.’s, the Mayor (Mr Tapley,, and Mr J. Loudon (chairman of the Harbour Board). The chair was occupied by Mr J. Sutherland Ross. After lunch had been partaken of the usual loyal toast was honoured. The Chairman then said they had assembled for the purpose of meeting the Hon. G. J. Anderson (Acting Minister of Industries and Commerce). They had met purely in the interests of Exhibition projects. The speaker proceeded to acknowledge their indebtedness to the Harbour Board, stating that if it had not been for the action taken by that body the Exhibition would not be where it was to-day. The Exhibition resolved itself into three . parts. It was there to educate, to improve the commercial community, and to amuse. The Government had given them the Minister of Industries and Coinevce, and also the Minister of Education, and be would submit to Air Anderson that if he had the job of forming a Cabinet he should consider the desirability of having a Minister of Amusements. They were there that day for the good of the community. They already had that fusion amongst themselves that was being discussed in other places, and he could assure Mr Anderson that since the Exhibition project was started their motto hod been “Pull together, and pull strongly.” There had been scarcely a dissentient note since the project was started. The' Minister could see for himself what • progress had been made, and the directors hoped it was an earnest of what the public would be in a position to see when the Exhibition was opened. The Hon. Mr Stewart had fought tooth and nail for the Exhibition. Other people had been endeavouring to get money from the Government for less worthy objects, and it was entire! l7 due to Mr Stewart’s efforts that the Exhibition directors found themselves in the financial position they were in to-day. Mr Stewart had realised the size and importance of the project, and had supported the directors by every means in his power. The speaker proceeded to thank the local members who were present, and went on to express the hope that Mr Sidey was not going to drop his Daylight Saving Bill.—(“Hear, hoar. ) He (Mr Ross) trusted that he would have more success with the Bill when he brought it forward again than he had had in the past. In addition to Air Anderson they had with them Air Collins (Secretary of the Department of Industries and Commerce), Mr Johnston (offier in charge of the Dunedin branch), Mr Messenger (publicity officer), and Mr Messenger, jun. After assuring Air Anderson that ho was sincerely welcomed Air Ross called on those present to drink the health of the Minister. In the course of his reply, Air Anderson said it was very good of the directors to invite him to be present and to drink his health, and to say nice things about his colleagues and himself. Ho,was there that day in place of a better man—the Hon. Mr Stewart. There was no man in New ‘ Zealand for whom lie had more respect than Mr Stewart. It was a great rmsfortunte tht Air Stewart’s physical health was in the state it was, for if he had been as strong as he was before he went to the war it was more than likely that he would have been in the most exalted position that any civilian could hold in New Zealand. Hie speaker was pleased to say that his colleague's health was improving. The latest information they had was. to the effect that the expert who was looking after him had great hopes of benefiting him so greatly that he would bo able to do without his crutches. Air Stewart would bo back in New Zealand in about another month. Ihe chairman had referred to a Minister of Amusements. He (Air Anderson) believed they had a Minister of Sports m some countries. It was - a rather good innovation, and ho thought that the Chancellor of the University would make an excellent Aiinister of Amusements.— (Laughter.) It was pleasing to know that there had been a thorough fusion so far as the Exhibition was concerned. This venture was of vast importance to this part of the dominion. Ho was a bit frightened when he heard what the directors were going to do, but they were in it, and they would have to carry it through. With the help of Air Stewart, who had had to stand a good deal of I‘barrack” for the way in which ho advanced the claims of the Exhibition on his colleagues, they had got n fan- amount of money from the Treasury. Mr Anderson said 'ho had been particularly struck by the lay-out and attractiveness of the grounds generally, with everything in„ connection with the buildings, and the facilities provided for handling exhibits when they came forward. From what he had -seen and from what he knew from the department, they were going to have exhibits from practically every part of New Zealand They wore going to get exhibits from various countries all over the world, and he understood that they were going to have one of the finest shows of motor vehicles ever seen in New Zealand. _ Jbat wa* very nice, but he hoped that inducements would not bo held out to get people to buy motor cars when they could not afford to do so, for, after all, the motor business was largely a luxury. He would prefer to see a larger display of exhibits that wore going to be of more use to the country from an economic point of view. The industries of New Zealand had gone ahead very satisfactorily, and he had been given some figures which had astonished him. For the industrial year 1924 there were nearly 75,000 workers permanently employed, and the total value of the goods manufactured was about £75,000,000. The wages paid amounted approximately to £15.000,000. That was verv good for a young country, whoso essential industries were pastoral and agricultural, and it was verv pleasing to know that the secondary industries wore advancing. It was well known that Dunedin had always been in advance on the manufacturing side, and he believed that it would exoand very much because the cheapest electric power in New Zealand was available here. He thought Mr Tapley would bear him out, when ho said that the Alines Department had not placed any difficulties in the way of the City Council in increasing the power at VVaipori to its maximum. Ihe Department of Industries and Commerce had opened an office in Dunedin. One of the last - things that Air Stewart asked before his departure for America was that the office should be established immediately. Ho hoped the office would be of use to the people. lie was sure that the officer in charge would do all ho could to assist in pushing matters on in connection with the Exhibition. So far a.s the Government exhibit was concerned, practically every department of State would be represented, and he had asked Air Collins that morning to leave no stone unturned to have everything ready by the opening day. He thought Air Collins would bo able to do that. He had impressed on the beads of departments the extreme necessity for there being no delay as far as the Government exhibits were concerned. The Alines Department hoped to have one of the best exhibits it, had had for many years. He did not know that they wanted any exhibits ?u»vn the Pensions Department, but there would bo some from the Labour Department and also from thfi Printing Department. He wished the Exhibition every success. Air Anderson went on to say that be would like to refer to the question of publicity. It was n' common statement that visitors to New Zealand did not visit Otago and Southland as they should. — (Voices; Quite true.) Lie admitted the truth of the statement, and said he had thought, 'a good deal as- to the host way of inducing visitors to make the journey. A man from America would probable arrive with bis wife and daughters in Auckland or Wellington. They were very fast in America, and wanted to see the whole of New Zealand in a few days. They would not give the time to make the iournev to the Southern lakes, which would take a fortnight if it wore done properly. Mo had made the wsceentinn to the secretary of the Progress League in Invercargill that bndv should join with the Otago Expansion League in sending someone to Wei-

ling-ton or Auckland —perhaps one in each place. It would bo that person's duty to see that every tourist was provided with the literature neocssary to impress on him the wisdom ot coming to this part of New Zealand. Ho did not see any other way of doing it. He thought that was one way in which they could push the undoubted attractions of Otago and Southland. The Publicity Department already exhibited in Australia views of the Exhibition in embryo. The department was taking additional pictures, and would show them in Australia in order to advertise the Exhibition as much as it oonkl. It was intended while. the Exhibition was open to ran a kinematograph hall, in which views of New Zealand would be shown to visitors, who would be induced, if possible, to visit those beautiful spots. The special kinematographio ball wotdd bo used for a continuous display of films of a scenic and industrial nature. These films would include views of the Lakes districts. The department had recently taken a picture of Stewart Island, and that would be shown. Views of various other parts of New Zealand would be shown, and lectures would be delivered. Tiro department was doing its best to attract people to Now Zealand by producing kinernatographic views, which were being circulated in America and Australia, and ho intended to ask his colleagues as soon as it was prcticable to give him sufficient money to send a man to America to exhibit films, and give information and lectures. It would cost a fair amount of money, but he thought the venture would pay by attracting visitors to the country. He looked to the business men to assist in thia]inalter by doing as he had suggested, and in any other way they thought lit. The Publicity Department would supply them with views if they wanted to advertise their particular district, and anything else that could be done would be done, with the exception that the department would not give money to advertise any district. They had the biggest concern in the dominion in embryo in Otago, and if they had no faith in it he hoped they would not damn it. It was going to help Otago if it was successful. He had very much pleasure in saying that prospecting associations were being started in various parts of Otago, and that further mining would eventuate. labour was one of his portfolios and if he was re-elected to Parliament and was still in the Ministry he intended to endeavour to provide a universal pension on a contributory basis —one that would take the spectre out of the homes of the honest working men and enable them to realise that if they foil into iUhealth their families would not be in distress. Ho thought it could be done. At all events he would have a try. It might not be easy, but he thought the difficulties might bo overcome. In conclusion Mr Anderson wished the Exhibition every success both financially and as an advertising medium. The Mayer proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Anderson for his address. The speaker expressed hearty appreciation of what the department and Mr Collins had done to ensure the success of the Exhibition. Mr Anderson bad done a great deal to further the interests of the city and province, and they hoped to see him on many other occasions. The motion was carried by acclamation. In proposing a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman Mr Anderson said that no man could be more enthusiastic in assisting the Exhibition than Mr Collins. Mr Messenger, of the Publicity Department, wms also very enthusiastic, and would do all ho could for the project. The motion was earned, and the proceedings were brought to a close by the singing of a verse of the National Anthem.