SPLENDOUR OF SPECTACLE THRILLS THOUSANDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26704, 25 February 1948, Page 5

SPLENDOUR OF SPECTACLE THRILLS THOUSANDS

WORDS OF PRAISE

Spectacle Worthy of Great Occasion TRIBUTES BY LEADERS In the opinion of the two Parliamentary leaders of the Dominion, the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Holland, the Cavalcade of Progress afforded a spectacle worthy of the historic nature of the occasion. At the request'of the Daily Times they both made brief statements last night giving their impressions of the pageant. In each case generous praise was given to Otago’s

achievement. THE PRIME MINISTER, MR P. FRASER—“It was a great privilege to be in Dunedin to-day to see the Cavalcade of Progress procession. It was, indeed, worthy of the city and of the province, of ■ the history of both and of the indomitable poineers who made that history and well and truly laid the foundation of the present prosperity and greatness.' “ From the Maori navigators and discoverers, the whalers, the explorers, the surveyors, right through the comprehensive and admirably and artisti-cally-arranged representations of early settlement, agriculture, coal mining, gold mining, transport, dress, down to modern transport, the highest industrial . development, the armed services and social activities, and the surpassingly beautiful floral floats, some of them as impressive and graceful in their symbolism as in their artistry, there was a continued. flow of interest and beauty. I have never seen a procession more uniformly beautiful or more retentive of the keenest interest. Everyone who saw the procession enjoyed it to the full and wished it was much longer. It was a triumph of efficiency, enthusiasm, devotion, understanding of historical development and of beauty. • “I would like to congratulate most sincerely all those who were responsible for the planning and organising of the procession, for its excellent timing, arid for the ingenious preparation of the pioneering and industrial floats, the successful resurrection of ancient modes of locomotion and the blaze of beauty in the climax of the floral floats. “ I would like to congratulate all who helped and the city and the province. The greatness of the past of Otago was shown eloquently and poetically; .the greatness of its present- was realistically portrayed, the greatness of its future was pictured prophetically, and all with true and satisfying art.’

THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION, MR S. G. HOLLAND—

“ The Cavalcade of Progress was one of the grandest spectacles I have ever witnessed. My first thoughts were of gratitude in being a spectator, and of those who conceived the idea and of the • hundreds who devoted hours of painstaking work to provide such a magnificent spectacle. “It was obvious that everyone associated with it had contributed to the Cavalcade of Progress without any hope of self-advertisement. This was a quite remarkable feature of the demonstration. Another very commendable feature was the contributions made by other districts, such as Southland, and the willingness of others to send loads of flowers, which added increased effect to the display. -

. “ The. outstanding feature of the Otago centennial celebrations so far has been the community spirit that has been displayed. I had the opportunity of seeing parts of the preparations for yesterday's procession. While there, I recognised the willingness shown by the sponsors to find merit in other exhibits without desire for public or personal credit. “The organisation of the procession, with bands interspersed, was done in masterly fashion. I doubt if there has been anything in New Zealand to approach the beauty and thoroughness of the exhibits. I hope that when Can: terbury is celebrating its centenary two years hence that it will have a cavalcade of this type. If it can be made , anything like the success of this one, everyone will be well satisfied.” THE MAYOR OF DUNEDIN, MRM D. C, CAMERON.— “As Mayor of the city I am intensely proud of Dunedin for the excellent display of the Cavalcade of Progress and the prompt timing of the procession. ..It reflects great credit on Mr Carl V. Smith, who organised the whole of the procession, together with his Centennial Committee, and on the marshal. Mr J. P. Cook.

. “Speaking on behalf of the citizens, I think that the cavalcade was something that will live for all time in the minds-of the young people.

“The Governor-General, Sir Bernard Freyberg, after viewing the cavalcade, expressed his great pleasure at a most impressive spectacle.