THE EXHIBITION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19691, 19 January 1926, Page 10

THE EXHIBITION.

A MATURED OPINION.

TRIUMPHAL PROGRESS RECORD. NINTH WEEK CLOSES. SIGHTSEEING IN SUMMER HEAT. Last evening marked the close of the ninth Exhibition week—a week that has been marked by warm summer weather, giant crowds every day and evening, and the instantaneous popularity of every attraction that famous Logan Park had to offer. Yesterday was another day of hot sunshine, typical of Dunedin at its best, but there nis a sudden change in the evening, and heavy rain fell for some time- Though the pavilions wore well patronised by sightseers, the majority was to be found out of doors during the afternoon, when the Boy Scouts antivtainwl m the Sports Ground. In the evening the Amusements Park was packed with visitors despite the wet underfoot. The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders played a special programme in the Festival Hall. The record of the turnstiles showed that the attendance had reached 18,845 for the day, making the total for the ninth 152,801, and the grand total 1,096,669.

ROUND THE COURTS. BRITISH ARMY AND AVIATION WINGS. COURT NOW COMPLETE. (WEMBLEY COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS. All courts and bays were busy yesterday from the moment the main gates opened in the morning until the lights of the Grand Court -were extinguished in the evening. The Amusements area was particularly popular, and the Boy Scouts’ demonstration attracted a good attendance. In the afternoon the Exhibition Orchestra played in the British Industries Court before a moderate audience, although the heat forced the majority of those present to seek the open air. The Mayor (Mr H. L. Tapley, M.P.) paid an official visit to the Otago Court, where he was entertained by the officer in charge, Mr IV. E. Steel. Great interest was centred in the British Court, when the new Army and Aviation ■wings were opened for the first time. For the last week workmen have been busy night and day completing the various exhibits which arrived a short time ago from "Wembley. So carefully had the entrances to the new wings been concealed that none but the most observant visitors noticed the incomplete state of the court. The new wings were crowded all day and the unique exhibits which, from a standpoint of public interest alone could not be bettered, were most favourably commented BpOO. “VERT FINE INDEED.’’ “In the last few days 1 have had a quiet look round this Exhibition, putting my nose in ©very hole and corner, and I now feel that the people of Dunedin ought to be exceedingly proud of that which reposes on what was once old Lake Logan,” said Mr A. F. Roberts, late New Zealand Commissioner at Wembley, in the course of his speech at the reception given in his honour by the Exhibition Directors yesterday. “It is very fin© indeed,” he continued, “and I would like to pay a special tribute to the exhibits in the New Zealand .Secondary Industries Pavilion. I think they are wonderful, and show visitors that we are not altogether dependant on outside resources.”

the wonderful range of manufactured goods these exhibited; displayed, in the great majority of cases, in a highly attractive and fascinating fashion.

ABOUT FIJI. “The Queensland Commissioner. when speaking to you a few nights ago, said: The Fiji Court with its native attendants is a gem set in a corner of the Australian area. 1 appreciate that description highly, and 1 am sure it will be appreciated by the people of the colony, coming as it does from an officer who has had a wide experience of international exhibitions. “Probably because we present something unusual, something bizzare, we have attracted the young People of New Zealand. “There are few boys and girls of Dunedin who have not come under the fascination of the Fiji Court. 1 hear that >inoe we have come there has been a considerable increase in the demand for books on the South Seas. Probably the smell of our sandalwood has something to do "with this. It may have conjured up visions of those old pea rovers, the sandalwood traders, the first white men who penterated tbc forests of Fiji. Or it may be that our ripe bananas and pineapples are the lure. But whatever the cause we value the patrpnage of the voung people, for an Exhibition that fails to interest and educate the rising generation fails in what I believe should be one of its main objects. DIFFERENT IN APPEARANCE.

“Our court is somewhat different in appearance to most of the other courts. It is constructed entirely from kauri timber grown in the mountain gorges of Vitilovu, the main island of the Fiji group. It was supplied by a syndicate of New Zealand sawmillers who have recently obtained concessionary rights to cut the timfe»r. “In speaking of Fijian timber let me tell you that the central feature of the court is a native pavilion made of Island mahogany and thatched with the leaves of the sago palm. It was built by the native attendants and no nails were used in its construction. The timbers are artistically bound together with different coloured sinners, made from cocoanut fibre. In the ornamental plaiting of these sinnet lashings no- two, patterns are alike. They are old conventional designs handed down from bygone generations of skilled Fijian craftsmen who had the reputation of being the best housebuilders in the Pacific. CRAFTS AND INDUSTRIES.

PRAISE FOR LOGAN PARK. EXHIBITION AND ITS OBJECTS. ADDRESS BY HON. R. BOYD. • Brnoe the gates of Logan Park were thrown open on November 17 no one has been in closer touch with affairs in the Exhibition or has shown greater interest in the progress of the big enterprise than the Hon. R. Boyd, Commissioner of Fiji. Last evening he lectured to a radio audience. and gave some of his impressions of the Exhibition, together with a description of his own court. "I am afraid it would tax your .patience, to give, at any length my impressions of the magnitude, the beauty, and the educational value of the Exhibition, - ’ he commenced. “The Oriental splendour of the illarninaiions of the Grand Avenue; the effect of the countless parti-coloured lights on the great dome and their moving reflection on the ornamental lakes by night; the riot of colour in the flower parterres that stud the grounds; the eager throngs of people continually moving about, the grounds and courts: the blended sound of many voices; the delighted shouts of children" as they shoot along the scenic railway, and the hundred and one attractions of "the Amusements Park beggar description. The Exhibition is too stupendous, too kaleidoscopic to adequately translate into words. It ha? to be seen to be realised. It has to be seen, not once, but many times, for one finds new attractions every day—some unexplored nook, some interesting exhibit hitherto unnoticed. ‘•COME TO DUNEDIN.” “I can only say to you, who have not yet seen the Exhibition ,to let nothing stand in your way of coming to Dunedin and seeing what the best brains of New Zealand have been working hard for the last two years to prepare; of seeing the greatest Exhibition ever projected and carried exit in any part of our great Empiie in the Southern Hemisphere. ■‘The aims and objects of any British Exhibition, as set out in the early Wembley literature, are: To find, in the development and utilisation of the raw materials of the Empire, new sources of Imperial wealth. To foster inter-Empire tgade and open fresh world markets for Dominion and colonial as well as Home products. To make the different races of the British Empire bettor known to each other, and to demonstrate the almost ■illimitable possibilities of the dominions, colonies, and dependencies overseas. ‘T think it can be truly said that most of these will be attained by the Dunedin Exhibition. If I may but mention one I would make reference to the Grand Court of the Secondary Industries of New Zealand. Practically every visitor from overseas that I have met at the Exhibition kjuuc ' avj.rnca.irl admiration and appreciation

“I hope when you come to the Exhibition and visit our Court, you will examine also the beautiful examples of hats and basketware made by the women of the distant Gilbert and Ellice Islands. His Excellency, Sir Eyre Hutson, the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific and Governor of Fiji, has kindly permitted two natives of these islands to come to the Exhibition and exhibit samples of their crafts. But Fiji is not represented at the Dunedin Exhibition solely to show native crafts-niari-hip. Its greater purpose is to give publicity to the colony and its resources, to invite attention to the many possibilities for enterprise that lie within its fertile, but to a large extent, undeveloped lands. So we are exhibiting some samples of our produce and pictures of our colony. “Our most important industry is, as you are all probably aware, the production of sugar. The Colonial Sugar Refining Co. displays in the Fiji Court an interesting exhibit of the sugar industry and the process of manufacture up to the beautiful white sugar in daily use in New Zealand. The exhibit includes a series of illustrations of the methods of cultivation and transport of the cane to the factories. Among these is a photograph of the onlyfree passenger train running to a scheduled time-table in the British Empire. This public convenience is maintained by the company on one stretch of its railways which extends some 97 miles south of the Lautoka factory. PRODUCTS OF THE ISLANDS. “Our second main industry, oopra, is also shown. Copra is the dried kernel of the coconut, and the source of the coconut-oil now extensively used in the manufacture of niargerine, high quality soaps and other commodities. The great bulk of our output is shipped to the European market, but, a local mill at Suva crushes a certain quantity annually. Some of the oil expressed at this mill is exported to New- Zealand for soapmaking. This is a trade that could well be increased and I hop© that one of the results of the Exhibition will be that the soap manufacturers of the Dominion will get in closer touch with the Suva producers and the trade further extended. “Among the other products that may be seen in the Fiji Court are tea, coffee, cacao beans, ginger, peanuts, arooa nuts, castor-oil beans, sisal hemp, maize, rubber latex as it comes from the tree and samples of prepared rubber as shipped from the plantations, kauri gum ai d tobacco. You will see an interesting and cleverly arranged exhibit showing the length of the staples of four of the principal commercial cottons. The exhibit shows the marked superiority, in length of staple, of the famous sea island cotton, now being grown in Fiji under the direction of an officer of the British Empire Cotton-grow-ing Co-operation—a body instituted under the presidency of the Board of Trade, to foster and extend the cultivation of cotton within the Empire. The samples shown were prepared from the Fiji 1924 crop, which was sold at Liverpool, in March, 1925, at the high price of 3s Id per lb. The Manchester Chamber of Commerce has kindly sent us some of the yarn spun from this crop. Any of our court attendants will be pleased to show yon this and I am sure you will be astonished at. its fineness. RICE AND BISCUITS. “Another exhibit which I am sure will interest you is the display of rice, shown by the Government rice mill of Suva. Here you will see the grain as it conies from the field and the various stages of milling up to the finished article. We are exposing for sale some of the rice produced by the Government mill so that you may be able to sample its quality. One of the recent commercial enterprises in Fiji is the manufacture of biscuits suitable for the Island trade, and we are now exporting biscuits to the adjacent islands in the Pacific. Sample tins of these biscuits are to be seen in our court. “I regret I have left myself no time to speak of the great scenic beauties of my colony, its glorious climate during the cool season, and the many advantages it holds out to trave’ ts. Probably the Broadcasters will permit me to address you again on these subjects before the close of the Exhibition. Before concluding, X wish to express my deep appreciation of the generous hospitality that has been extended to the representatives of Fiji by the people of Dunedin. The president, directors, and general management staff have placed a deep debt of gratitude by their many acts of kindness.”

FIJI AND NEW ZEALAND. SOUTH ISLAND STEAMER COMMUNICATION. FRUIT SUPPLY HAMPERED. EXHIBITION COMMISSIONER’S VIEWS. “If you will but help us to bring about a direct steamer service we will be able to land at your doorstep, as to speak, a steady supply of delicious and wholesome bananas that can be sold at reasonable rates,’’ said the Hon. R. Boyd, M.L.C., Commissioner for the Fiji Court during the course of a radio lecture last evening, in which he dealt with the possibility of direct steamer communication between Fiji and the South Island. “At present we have 11Q direct steamship communication with your island, ’ he contended. £k To demonstrate that such a service, if it can be brought about, would be a benefit to you, as well as to Fiji, we have had email shipments of fruit sent to our court, via Auckland, as a sample of what we could do on a large scale, if a direct trade route were opened up. We have from lime to time exposed for sale in our fruit bay bananas, pineapples, and other tropical fruits. We have been told by experts in the trade that such bananas and pineapples have never before seen seen in Dunedin. And from the rapidity with which they have sold and the many inquiries we have received as to future shipments 1 can quite believe it. THE LOCAL SUPPLY. “From September on to the end of the year, and well into January, I find tnat local fruit is scarce and dear throughout the South Island. During these months the finest flush of bananas is obtainable m Fiji. The fruit is fuller, better flavoured, and carries better. “To import fruit via Auckland, and transport it to the South Island is expensive. Furthermore, as a result of the extra handling, a fair proportion is damaged and, as the remainder has to be sold at a profit to cover such a loss, _ naturally the retail price to the consumer is higher. “A direct service would enable a constant supply of Fiji fruit to reach the South Island, and would do more—it would, I am confident, open up new avenues of trade with the Pacific Islands for the manufacturers of the South Island who have made such a splendid display in the Grand Court of Secondary Industries. Every thoughtful public man throughout our Empire is appealing to the people to trade within the Empire, and here is an opportunity of furthering that great aspiration which I trust will not be lost. INTER-EMPIRE TRADE. “Undoubtedly the main function of this great Exhibition is to help to foster interEmpire trade. And I look forward with hope that one of its first fruits will be closer communication and closer trade relations between the people of the South Island of New Zealand and the people of Fiji.

characterised a true Xcw Zealander, and he gave in the little N r ow Zealand Court a truly wonderful exhibition of what the country could do. MR ROBERTS REPLIES.

country could do. MR ROBERTS REPLIES. “I find it very difficult to talk to my fellow-townsmen, but 1 do very much appreciate this welcome extended to me by the Exhibition authorities a all others who are present, ’ commcn Mr Roberts. "As far as the work a , embley was concerned we felt that i ,vcre not working for ourselves, but for every individual inhabitant of New Zealand — we felt that every New Zealander was watching us ail the time. if we did in any way carry out the job so successfully it was due to the wonderful team work, and I would like to say that 1 could never wish for a more loyal stall than 1 had at Wembley. For 10 weeks while we were knocking the show into shape we never got home before midnight, and it was only 10 days before the Exhibition opened that we could take u]) our quarters in the building. With the exception of one man, the staff was composed entirely of New Zealanders who were recruited iu London, and we were a very happy family/' Referring to the propaganda work that he had carried out throughout England on behalf of New Zealand, Mr Roberts said that the lecturing tour had been easv. as he had studied New Zealand life, trade, and scenery. He considered that Now Zealand was a pocket edition of the world —it could show anything that the rest of the world had and something that could not be seen elsewhere—thermal activity. As far as trade was concerned, he was satisfied that no other part could produce better goods, and the people of the Dominion should see that the high standard was maintained. He did not think that the people of New Zealand realised the ignorance that existed in Great Britain in regard to colonial conditions, and for this reason the Empire Exhibition had been worth while from an educational point of view. Before, the Empire had been simply a list of names, but the people of the Homeland now appreciated the enormous responsibility that was on their shoulders. In propaganda work he was of the opinion that the Government should concentrate on advertising New Zealand as a whole, and not any particular part. New Zealand and her products had a great reputation in Great Britain, and the ex-Governor-General was going about "talking New r Zealand,” of which he held a very high opinion. "I might be so bold as to say* that I never hope to see New Zealand overindustrialised,” said Mr Roberts, in referring to the growth of the secondary industries. “I have just come from what used, to bp termed ‘the workshop of the world,’ and they are going through sore troubles there. But the sterling quality of the Britisher will pull the country through, for Britain is sound at the bottom.”

SETTLERS WANTED. DAIRYING IN CORAL SEAS. Dairying is one of the comparatively new industries in Fiji that show groat promise of success. Although there is no butter displayed in the Fiji Court there is a box in one of the Dunedin freezers, and it has been entered for the coming butter competition to be held at the Exhibition. Interesting observations relating to dairying in the Fiji Islands were made by the court commissioner, the Hon. R. Boyd, M.L.O. in the course of his lecture last evening. “Ihis is not the first time butter from Fiji has competed in New Zealand,” ne said. “At the world’s butter championship competition, hold at Auckland last year, a sample of butter from the Rewa Creamery was awarded 90 points, which brought it within the New ZeaJaxid standard of first grade fbuttor This encouragement has induced the Rewa Creamery to send some of its butter to the Dunedin Competition. The report and classification by the Exhibition judges will bo of much value to those engaged in dairying in Fiji and, I hope, of interest to the dairymen of New Zealand. LOOKING FOR MEN. “My colony is looking for settlors with some knowledge and to help in the development of this now industry, ihe country offers many advantages to the dairy farmer. It has cheap lands, suitable labour conditions, luxuriant pastures and freedom from cattle diseases, while its genial and healthy climate make it a country where the white man may settle with safety. GOVERNMENT KINEMA. Two long and interesting pictures were screened for tlie benefit of yesterdaj s patrons to the kinema in the New Zealand Government Pavilion, and, despite the heat of the afternoon and evening, the attendances were large at all sessions. “The Story of Rock Drilling and “Milford Sound” were the two films shown, and each met with the approval of all. . - , To-dav the programme will include two films that have already been shown with great success, and one which is new to Exhibition audiences. “The Port of London” and “Stewart Island” have interested thousands in the past, and The Timber Industry in Western Australia’ is a special industrial film that contains features of great inteerst and educational value. The Government kinema was never so popular as it is at the present time, and many visitors to the Exhibition make a point of viewing a programme every time they enter ijogan Park. It is now evident that a hall much larger than the one at present used could be filled nearly every session during the busy Exhibition hours. 83rd HIGHLANDERS. FESTIVAL HALL BAND PROGRAMME. Though the absence of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders band from its customary place in the Grand Oourt made proceedings yesterday afternoon quieter that, usual, visitors waited with eager anticipation till the evening, when a special concert programme was given in the Festival Hall. From 7 p.m. onwards a generous proportion of crowds that streamed in the mail, gates made as its objective the spacious theatre under the big dome % and when the programme opened at 8 o’clock, few seats remained untenanted. 'The programme played by the band was perhaps the most enjoyable yet presented, and comprised the cream of the numbers given on various occasions in the past. Nothing was spared in giving the audience a musical treat that they will long remember, and under the baton of Mr F. J. Ricketts, the band excelled itself in every way. Despite the heavy programme, demands for encores were frequent and insistent, and many light numbers were included. The opening number was “Pannhauser, Wagner’s brilliant overture, which was given with magnificent effect. It comunenc'xl with the famous “Chorus of IMgrims,” which died away and, gave place to the wild music depicting the revels in the house of Venus. Then came Tannhauscr’s song, followed by revelry still wilder than before. As that subsided the Pilgrim’s Song growing over more and more powerful, was thundered out on the trombones with commanding emphasis.l he feverish insistence of tho wood-winds rising above the volume of the brasses produced a magnificent climax, tho sustained grandeur of which left, the audience almost breathless. “II Trovatore” followed, and Liszt’s “l.<os Preludes” was delightfully played. r lbc first portion of the programme was brought to a close by the popular “Lightning Switch,” and Highland dancing oy Lance-corporal C. Davis'and Bandsmen F. Crawford, F. Taylor, and J. Frond. Tho second part was opened by “Tales of Hoffmann,” and two pieces—“ The New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition,” and a Scottish Patrol, ‘The Gathering of the (Tan.’’ The regimental slow march—“ln tho Garb of Old Gaul," was tho last item, and the National Anthem closed the concert. THE EXHIBITION CABARET. A new system is to be tried by tho management of the Exhibition Cabaret, and one which should appeal to tho great majority of dance lowers who are regular patrons” It has long been recognised that if tho calls on the services of the expert band under the leadership of Mr Manuel Hyman wore a little lighter, a much better programme could be offered in tho evening w*hca the floor is packed with eager dancers. Trtrr«£orc the Cabaret will bo closed during after®'us of this week as a trial, aa»S aiW if a&trions will kc Bsario ssjec*-

FROM WEMBLEY. NEW ZEALAND COMMISSIONER WELCOMED. OFFICIAL FUNCTION YESTERDAY. “We are hero to welcome home from England Mr A. F. Roberts, New Zealand’s Commissioner at Wembley, who is making a short stay in his home town. New Zealand is by no means the weakest link in the chain of' Empire, but there is no doubt that the chain was considerably strengthened bv our representation at Wembley, and it is to men like Mr Roberts, who gave up his business for two years and went away as representative of his country', that we owe a very groat deal.’’ , . , Thus Mr J. Sutherland Ross, otiairman ot Exhibition directors opened the official wel. come to Mr A. F. Roberts, which was held in the Exhibition reception rooms yesterday afternoon. There were present the directors overseas and court commissioners, the Hon. Sir James Parr, representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, the Otago Expansion League and the Manufacturers Association, together with many friends. “He carried out very successfully what he went to do,” continued the chairman of directors, “and we can have nothing but great admiration for his work. We, in our small way are trying to show what this outpost of the Empire can do, and I tlnnk we are achieving a measure of success. One important side of. this Exhibition is the display of New Zealand secondary industries; we wish it was larger, but what there is has been a revelation to visitors who were unaware of what New Zealand was capable of producing.” A DUNEDIN BAY. The Mayor, Mr H. L. Tapley, said he thought it fitting that the directors of the Exhibition should extend a hearty welcome to Mr Roberts, and it was also fitting that he should be welcomed by the citizens of Dunedin—his native city. He was sorry that the civic welcome to which their guest was entitled could not be arranged on account o? the shortness of his stay, but he was delighted to have the opportunity cf saying how proud they were of the part Mr Rolierts played on behalf of the Dominion at Wembley, and of the success that was achieved there. It was gratifying to know that he was a Dunedin bov and the worthy son of a worthy father.^ Representing the primary industries, Mr S. B. Macdonald, president of the Otago Expansion League, also heartily welcomed Mr Roberts, and congratulated him on the way the primary products of New Zealand had been displayed at Wembley, particularly in the second Exhibition. The many visitors to the New Zealand court there had nothing but the highest praise for the way in which the primary products had been set out, and even if it had not been successful in every way, Wembley, from the point of view of New Zealand, had been an unbounded success. It had shown the people who would later visit the Dominion that they could buy what they wanted in the country, and would thus materially reduce the importation of foreign goods. Mr James Hogg, president of the Manufacturers’ Association, said that even those who did not know Mr Roberts personally knew him well by the excellent report of his work that had been received from Wembley. Everyone who had returned from the British Empire Exhibition and who had properly visualised its work and aim had said that it was worth while, and Mr Roberts had himself confirmed that view. Everyone should be proud of the part New Zealand played and of the big share taken in its success by Mr Roberts. The post-war growth of Now Zealand industries had been tremendous, but all looked to a greater and a higher ideal —the buying of Empire goods. He hoped that in time the balance of New Zealand trade would be done under the Union Jack, and one of the great aims of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition was to promote that ideal. H E ARTY CONOR AT UL AT lONS. On behalf of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce he added his welcome, referring to the guest of honour as the worthy son of a worthy father who had been president of the Dunedin Exhibition of 1889DO. If Mr Roberts had arrived a month or so ago he would have been fittingly received by the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand, but on their behalf the speaker tendered his heartiest welcome and congratulations for the success that had been achieved at Wembley. Sir James Pair welcomed Mr Roberts on behalf of the New Zealand Government. When the appointment to the position of New Zealand Commissioner at Wembley had been under consideration it seemed to him that every other man in the country considered himself quite competent to undertake the duties. (Laughter.) The Government had, however, turned to Mr Roberts without hint or application. In undertaking the work he had been under a considerable disadvantage owing to the circumstances in which he was placed. His appointment had been delayed, and lie was not at Wembley in the initial stages, with the result that there was some delay, and the reputation of New Zealand was somewhat marred. There was some hostility before the master hand of Mr Roberts had got to work, but fears were soon put aside, and the situation had been quickly changed. Particularly when it was decided that the Exhibition should last another year were the results apparent, and that year had spelt unqualified suotesss for the New Zealand Court. Mr Roberts had worked with the ploek and the ability to surmount <&f&c®£iins that

ally attractive with dances following one another in quick succession. The period of rest during the day will allow the hand to produce new numbers, and the Cabaret as a whole will be put in perfect condition for each evening of delightful recreation. Another improvement will be the introduction of extra seating accommodation at either end of of the hall. This has been made necessary by the big audiences who are invariably present in the evening, and the largo numbers of patrons who prefer to sit, and watch the dancers as they skim across the polished floor. “TANNHAUSER.” EXHIBITION CHOIR CONCERT. To-morrow night the Exhibition Choir of 400 voices will perform the concert version of “ Tannbauser,” and the booking at the Bristol so far indicates that it will be for a very large audience. This is not surprising, as it is several weeks now since the public heard the big choir or the brilliant soloists who have been associated with it, and whom they will have the chance of hearing again at the two performances of “ Tannhauser ” on Wednesday and Thursday nights. Mr Arthur Jordan, who will sing the title part, Mr Harison Cook, Madame Kate Campion, and Winnie Fraser need no introduction to Exhibition audiences, but on this occasion the cast will include a newcomer, Mr Leslie M‘Callum, Australia’s leading baritone, who will sing the part of Wolfram. Mr M'Callum has become almost indispensable in operatic productions in Sydney and Melbourne, and has many successes to his credit, and as Wolfram is one of his favourite parts, there will be a treat in store for those who hear him in “ Tannhauser.” .Although enormous expense is involved in the engagement of such a galaxy of soloists, “ Tannhauser ” is being produced at the popular prices, and it is therefore entitled to warm support.

The officers of the Publicity Department at the Exhibition have evolved a new and novel scheme for advertising New Zealand that should prove popular with the majority of visitors. In the office of the Tourist Department forms will be supplied, and all those who wish may enter the names of friends overseas who may be induced to visit the Dominion. Tlie completed forms will be forwarded to Wellington and the department will post free of all charges a generous supply of publicity matter to the given address, together with the names of the persons who supplied the information. This system will be in operation in the course of a dJy or two. “I put it to all overseas commissioners who are present at the Exhibition —a great deal of good would result if you toured New Zealand after the Exhibition is over and imparted information about the countries you represent,” said the chairman of Exhibition directors, Mr Cutherland Ross, ; esterday when referring to the lecturing tour of publicity purposes conluoted by the New Zealand Commissioner at Wembley, Mr A. F. Roberts. Arrangements had been made that the Commissioners could travel free on the railways, he continued, and good work could be done on behalf of i the various parts of the Empire that they represented. As 7.50 this evening, Mr R. W. Wigley will repeat his interesting lecture on the scenic beauties of Mount Cook in the New Zealand Government kinema hall. Mr Wiglcy's lecture is accompanied by lantern slides, and so great was the popularity of the instructive entertainment fiiven on the last occasion, that the lecturer has been requested to give other visitors an opportunity of hearing what he has to tell them. A large attendance is anticipated. Sir James Parr made his first tour of the Exhibition yesterday morning in company with Mr J. Sutherland Ross and other directors of the Exhibition. Like most other visitors. Sir James was surprised at the size and extent of the Exhibition, and was particularly impressed by the dignity and beauty of the British Imperial Court. In the afternoon the Minister was the guest of the Education Court Committee at a small function. A statement in our issue of yesterday respecting the consumption of Australian tobacco by New Zealanders in the form of pipe varieties and of cigarettes seems liable to cause some public 'misapprehension. We are informed that Virginia tobacco is exclusively used in the manufacture of the cigarettes that are most largely in demand in New Zealand and that it is erroneous to suppose that the pipe tobacco which is prepared in Australia for the markets in the Commonwealth and New Zealand contains a large proportion of the Queensland product.

A LATE VISITOR. SrR JAMES PARR ENTERTAINED. “AFTER THAT WATCH.’* Members of the Education Court Committee tendered a reception to the Hon. Sir James Parr (Minister of Education) in the Education Court hall yesterday afternoon. The gathering was presided over by Mr J. Wallace (chairman of the court), and in addition to members of the Education Board and others connected with educational work in Dunedin several directors of the Exhibition were also present. After expressing sympathy with Sir James on the loss of his father, Mr Wallace traced the history of the Education Court, and emphasised the fact that although the other department’s courts were controlled by their own officers, the control of the Education Court had never cost the department a penny. Mr C. A. Strack (manager of the court) also extended a brief welcome to the Minister. In a happy address Sir James explained that the reason for his long delay in coming to Dunedin and the Exhibition was that he had been anxious to be the millionth visitor and to get that gold watch. “My wrist to-day,” he said, “is innocent of any adornment. Alas, I was beaten by a lady from Southland. Beaten on the post.” Sir James thanked his hosts for their kind words of welcome and for their sympathy in the death of his father, who had come to this country as a pioneer 63 years ago. The speaker said that he had as yet had only a hasty glance round the Education Court, but he knew that its fame had spread all over New Zealand. Dunedin was the intellectual centre, and, he said i nail sincerity, he expected things to be done well in Dunedin. Dunedin had the men, it had the women, and it had the material. He offered the heartiest congratulations of the Ministry and of the Government on the success of the court and of the Exhibition. Although he had not seen the court in detail he knew enough already to pronounce it as an unqualified success, and this Exhibition would have lacked a most, essential feature had there been no Education Court. “People from a village called Auckland,” said Sir James, “were very impressed with your court. People ought to see it, just as they ought to see something of the history of our Fmipire in the British Court knd that wonderful bit of geography in that wonderful pool, showing all the trade routes of the world. Why, that is worth an hour of any child’s time, provided ho has the right type of teacher with him.” ' Sir James dwelt on the important, place education took in life. It had come to be one of the foremost activities in New Zealand, and it was far more important even than the Public Works. He was proud, as Minister of Education, that they had done this thing so well. Mr X’eter Barr, on behalf of the directors, moved a hearty vote of thanks to Sir James for his presence at the gathering and for his address.

CHILDREN ELSEWHERE. THE “SHELLING-OUT” DIFFICULTY. AN AWKWARD ''POSITION. It costs 6s a day for children visiting Dunedin for the Exhibition. Ihat is the irreducible minimum. This was the reason advanced l>y Mr O. A. St rack (manager of the Education Court| at the reception to Sir James Parr yesterday afternoon, for a Government subsidy to assist in bringing more children to Dunedin by lowering the cost. Many people, he pointed out, could not afford to pay even that sum, which was a concession. Sir James said that ho was not unsympathetic with the idea of bringing children to Dunedin, but there were very serious difficulties. All the Boards had been approached but they were unsympathetic and teachers were rather adverse to the responsibility and care of bringing children to Dunedin, especially from long distances. Moreover, the child had to pay something and that, of course, meant the parent had to pay. “To send children from. North Auckland/’ Sir James added, “would mean £1 or £2 for pocket money, and that with fare, etc., would mean a £lO note.”—(Voices: Oh, no). “Well, if you like, it would mean £5 or £7. There’s this difference. The working man’s child is unable to go, because the child’s parents will not be. able to afford any money. It would be said that we are helping people who can spend money to go and no Government will be put in that position. “It is no use talking about the children finding the money. The parents have to and the parents in the north are not prepared to shell out £5. That’s the practical question.” GENERAL NOTES. HERE, THERE, AND EVERYWHERE. Nurserymen and horticulturists generally are seizing the unique opportunity offering during Horticultural Week (last week in January) of displaying their choicest samples of trees, shrubs, plants, flowers, etc., to the thousands of visitors now gathered from all over New Zealand. Entries are coming to hand freely, and the huge marquees to be erected in the sports grounds will be none too spacious to contain the great range of exhibits now being got ready on a scale not previously attempted. AH entries close on Friday, 22nd inst. “ Searchers after the curious will find in the Fiji Court specimens of Beche-de-mer as prepared for the Chinese market. Beche-de-mer is a large sea slug, one of the Holothuria, found on the reefs of Fiji. Although not attractive in appearance and possessing a distinctive odour not pleasing to European nostrils, it is reunited to make one of the finest and nutritive soups in the world, and sells readily in China at over £IOO per ton.” The Iron. R. Boyd, Fiji Commissioner, in the course of his radio lecture last evening. The belated discovery of the tin containing the disc which entitled the finder to a prize of £SO on the day of the first Otago Treasure Hunt was made by the man who prepared the ground for tlm second hunt. Needless to say the disc was then null and void. Last Saturday, when the second hunt took place, the first prize was £2O, but up to the present this haj remained securely in its hiding place. “ The community that put this Exhibition on the map is the one in which I am going to live and work,” said a visitor to a well-known local business man yesterday. The visitor intends to open a large business house in Dunedin in the near future, and his decision has been considerably influenced by the success of the great rcfeiCTcmqnfc at Logan Bark.

RAILWAY EXCURSIONS. IO THE EDITOR. Sib, —I trust that the Railways Department will favour us with more excursion trains, north and south, so that our friends may conveniently visit us, and the splendid Exhibition. Saturday’s excursions from Oamaru were a triumph, and the handling of the large crowd reflected credit on the department.—l am, etc., Traveller. January 18. EXHIBITION BROADCASTING. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Upon the eve of my return to Christchurch I should be glad if you would give me space to express my thanks to those in charge of the broadcasting station at the Exhibition. I have listened-in almost nightly at Christchurch, and have always received Vld>N excellently on my own receiving set of four valves. The transmission during the past few weeks has been excellent, and we have very much enjoyed the programmes provided, particularly the splendid band performances. Prom statements recently published it would seem that in some quarters there is dissatisfaction with the broadcast service, but I think this is due to lack of experience in tuning-in on the part of many persons, because many others in Christchurch besides myself have no difficulty in receiving VLDN very clearly.—l am, etc., Ernest J. Bell, Librarian, Canterbury Public Library. Dunedin, January 18.