NEW OFFICES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19761, 12 April 1926, Page 9

NEW OFFICES

DOMINION GOVERNMENT’S PURCHASE. THE EPSTEIN STATUETTES. (Prett Association—Bj Telegrapi-—Copyright.) LONDON, April 9. The New Zealand Government is paying £200,000 for the Medical Buildings, states Mr J. Phillips, auctioneer. The purchase is now complete apart from the legal formalities. The value of the site will be greatly enhanced when the widening of the Strand is completed. The building consists cf eight floors, including a public kinema in the basement, which will be utilised for displaying films of New Zealand life and industries. Mr Massey inspected and approved of the building in 1923, and Mr Coates brought to a conclusion the agreement to purchase after three years’ negotiations, which were marked by several serious hitches. The purchase, has revived the controversy concerning the propriety of Epstein's 18 statuettes studding the facade on the first floor. Years ago there was strong objection on the ground that they should not comq under the public gaze, being more fit for a scientific gallery. Questions were even asked in Parliament. It is understood that New Zealand does not intend to interfere with the figures, which are now heavily coated with grime.—A. and N.Z. Cable. RESOURCES OF THE DOMINION. VALUE OF NEW OFFICES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WANGANUI, April 10. There has been a good deal of comment and criticism from those who have returned from abroad concerning the great need for a publicity campaign in respect to the resources of the Dominion. Speaking on the matter at a public function to-day, Sir James Parr, who will shortly be relinquishing the office of Minister of Education for that of High Commissioner at Home, said he believed that if Ne- Zealand had the goods to deliver it was wise to let the world know. The organisation that hid its light under a bushel would not last long; and so it was with country. One of the prime duties of the High Commissioner was to see that the goods New Zealand had to offer were well-known in the Old Country, The proposed new offices in London represented a step in the right direction. The new office stood right in the heart of London. He assured his hearers that the acquisition of these new premises was a good besiness proposition so far as New Zealand was concerned. The new site was an excellent stand, and the kinema would give a vivid conception of what the Dominion had to offer.