NEW ZEALAND AND SOUTH SEAS EXHIBITION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19529, 11 July 1925, Page 20

NEW ZEALAND AND SOUTH SEAS EXHIBITION.

- 111 up « INFORMATION FOR MOTOR MANUFACTURERS. IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT SECTION. SOME OP THE FEATURES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, Juno 2. Although tho final plans for tho British Government section of tho New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition are not yet complete, it is possible to give some indication of what lines tho exhibit will take._ Captain S_. ,J Graham, who was out in New Zealand recently, has his arrangements as far forward os possible, but his scheme entails a certain amount of borrowing from and negotiations with private people and Government departments, and consequently ho is not, at the present juncture, able to make a definite statement.

Tho section will cover over 23,000 square feet, the dimensions of the half of the building in which it is to he shown being 150 ft by 155 ft. The whole area will be partitioned off into square or rectangular sections. Through the front entrance one will come immediately into the Central Hall of Empire, one of tho features of which will be a frieze encircling the whole hall and illustrating the most important events in the history qf the Empire. Hero will be a variety of features all dealing with Empire history, and tho development of tho Empire. At tho far end of the Hall of Empire will be a Map of tho World in relief, with the oceans shown by water, and the trade routes indicated with moving ships. This is to bo a replica of that at Wembley, but slightly smaller. On each side of this will be an interesting naval and shipping exhibit. One section will be constructed as an old English hook shop, front probably being a piece of real antique, and the interior being stocked with old books and old prints. As a contrast, some of the best examples of modern printing will also be shown. Another gallery will- illustrate the development of the trade of the Empire, and a section wil be devoted to industrial art. There will he rooms illustrating the costumes and furnishings cf various periods in English history, and galleries devoted to tho Army and Navy ; and to the Air Force. In this lastmentioned section tho evolution of tho aeroplane will be shown. Sir Isidore Spiolmann, who died recently, was engaged up to the time of his death in accumulating paintings for tho art cxhioit at tho Exhibition. The work has not been interrupted by his death, but no one of outstanding distinction has yet been appointed to take his place. It is anticipated that nearly a thousand pictures, the work of representative English and Scottish artists, will be got together to send to Dunedin, besides a number, of statuettes

Captain Graham will be going to New Zealand about August 12, and moat of the material for tho British Government section will go with him. Certain interesting exhibits, however, which are at present at Wembley will have to remain until a later date, but they should bo in position at tho Dunedin Exhibition about Christmas time. USEFUL INFORMATION.

Tho Federated British Industries Exhibition officials report that makers of motor cars aro very keenly taking up space, and they are ready to adapt themselves freely to the conditions and needs of the country. About a year ago Mr H. F. Battcrbeo. C.M.G., an official of the Colonial Office, was in New Zealand, and Mr B. M. Bellaais (Federated British Industries), knowing that he was a great authority on motors, asked him to give an address before motor manufacturers. This Mr Battcrbeo did, in a purely unofficial capacity, of course, and all that he said was listened to with great attention and interest. There was a representative attendance. For tho information of those who could not bo present, copies of the address wero sent to them subsequently oy post. Mr Battcrbeo told his audience that ho had mado a world tour, and that of all tho markets ho saw ho thought Now Zealand offered the best opportunity for tho manufacture of British motors—for several good reasons: (1) Now Zealand was a very prosperous country, there was practically no unemployment, no poverty, and. in Now Zealand practically everyone must buy a car—it was almost necessity; (2) New Zealand was going >n for a very big road programme; (3) tho third reason—and really tho most important—was that Now Zealand was intensely British, and the people would rather have a British-made article if it could ho obtained. There wore not many British cars to do scon in New Zealand. Agents of American cars had put about the idea that the British car was not suited for local conditions at all and that British cars had a narrow track, low clearance, insufficient power etc and that tho only car suited for tho colonial market is the American car. Ho thought tho Now Zealand and South Seas Exhibition was a chance for breaking down that prejudice, and if tho prejudice were only mastered ho was cure they would find a lar£o number of people coming forward to buy British cars. fifty-fifty.

Before Mr Battcrbeo went to New Zealand one or two manufacturers privately asked him to try and find out while in Now Zealand whether it was a good thing for the British car to havo right-hand control or whether it was really some advantage lo have a car with central control, on the ground that tho colonial was accustomed io central control. Ho put that question to nearly everybody, and ho thought it wa.s a question of 50-50; 50 per cent, were in favour of the British manufacturer sticking to righthand control, on tho ground that a certain number of peole preferred right-hand control and that from the point of view of these people right-hand control was a good selling point; the other half said No, the colonial is used to central control, and the British car should give him what ho is used to.” So he gave it up, and came to tho conclusion there was nothing in it. Many questions wore subsequently asked and answered.

Mr Bellasis has during tho past few weeks been turning his attention to tho engineering trade, which had net shown very keen interest at tho outset. From now on he will concentrate on tho makers of heavy machinery, generating plants, dairying machinery, wool haling machinery, road-making machinery, and so on. This section will include a very fine exhibit of woodwork machinery shown by Messrs Robinson, of Rochdale. CONFECTIONERY MANUFACTURES. Messrs Rowntree, of lork, and Messrs James Paecall, of London, will be well represented. Messrs Rowntree, in a letter to me, wrote; "Tho loyalty of the New Zealand people to British poods is, of course, most marked, and wo feel that we ought to do nil in our power to help to make the Exhibition in question a complete success. Wo are at the moment very seriously considering how we can from York contribute in the most effective way to tho success of the exhibit, and wo shall, no doubt, send the best possible variety of fittings and decorations, not forgetting samples of some of our most popular lines. In tho latter connection, wo aro at present endeavouring to produce some special goods for our New, Zealand friends, and wo hope to have these 6n view and freely sampled at the Exhibition.” Details of arrangement rest with Messrs .7. Rigg and Company, the New Zealand agents of the firm. Messrs J. Pascall, too, intend to make an artistic and effective display, and their New Zealand representative has lately been in London on a business trip, primarily in connection with the Exhibition. At any time visitors from New Zealand aro welcomed at tho Mitcham factory of the firm, and are shown everything in the process of manufacture. The All Blacks, no doubt, retain pleasant recollections of their visit. Thero was an impression beforehand that they had already seen so many factories during their tour that they were getting tired cf such tours of inspection, but they did go to Mitcham, where they wero entertained by tho firm, and they all were greatly interested in the output and the plant. Final details regarding the arrangement and display havo yet to bo decided, but the firm intend to provide a show that will he liked by all tho visiters.