CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23685, 17 December 1938, Page 23

CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION

INSPECTION BY PRIME MINISTER MORE SUPPORT DESIRED , MINISTER TO TOUR CHIEF CENTRES . (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Dec. 16. A visit was paid to the Centennial Exhibition this morning by the Prime Minister (Mr M. J. Savage), accompanied by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr D. G. Sullivan), who is president, and several other members of the Cabinet, the Mayor of Wellington (Mr ~\ C. A. Hislop), who is chairman of directors, and members of the City Council.' Mr Hislop said they appieciated the visit of the Cabinet Ministers, and especially that of Mr Sullivan. The directors were not entirely satisfied that the space taken by New Zealand products, and particularly the New Zealand manufactures, >yas worthy of the occasion. Wellington had done well and also Dunedin, but Christchurch and Auckland had done badly. What was needed was a drive to let the people realise Lhat they had an opportunity of showing what New Zealand could do. At a later stage, Mr Sullivan offered that, if Mr Hislop would accompany him, he would make a tour of the chief centres and address the manufacturers, pointing out ie opportunity they had of putting before the world the Dominion's manufactured products, many of which were unexcelled, and all of which were a credit. He had sufficient belief in the commonsense of the people that they would respond and seize the opportunity of fully displaying the manufacturing industry. Subsequently it was ascertained that Mr Hislop had consented to this proposal. Mr Savage, in the course of a lengthy address, expressed amazement at the progress made with the erection of the buildings arid the quality of the work. The exhibition would reflect the achievements of the century, and some of them were wonderful achievements. He supported Mr Hislop in the desire that New Zealand products should be placed before the world. The Government was building a new Dominion. It had no other object except to put aside anything that would interfere with the progress of the country from North Cape to Bluff, and they wished to see goods displayed that would fully represent the work of the people. The factories of New Zealand compared very favourably with similar institutions in other lands. It was necessary that every manufacturer should be worthily represented. New Zealand should show the world that it could compete with the best in the way of goods and services. The object of the exhibition was to show the people of the world that our goods or services were, at least equal to theirs. Mr Sullivan drew attention to the fact that, including the cost of the Government Court, the Government had to date supported the Exhibition to the extent of £ 162,000. With the assistance of the departments and their servants, the Government Court would be thoroughly representative.