WELLINGTON INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION

Otago Witness, Issue 2985, 31 May 1911, Page 10

WELLINGTON INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION

OFFICIAL OPENING. WELLINGTON, May 24. The Coronation Industrial Exhibition was opened this afternoon in glorious weather by the Hon. J. Carroll (Acting Prime Minister). Among those present were the Hon, D. Buddo, the Hon. G. Fowlds, Messrs M'Laren, Luke, Hogg, Fisher, and WTijght, the Hon. E. A. Loughnan, and the Hon. C. H. Mills, M.L.C.'s, a number of consuls, and Messrs Hercus and Ford, president and secretary respectively of. the Christchurch Industries Association. Mr Ballinger read apologised from the Chiej: Justice and Mr A. Herdman, M.P., the latter stating that«4he movement deserved the warmest support of every citizen, and that he thoroughly appreciated the effort to stir up the industrial spirit of the city. Mr Ballinger said it was to be regretted that Lord Islington, who was Ijatron, was unable to be present. The lolding of exhibitions was a matter of very considerable importance to the whole of the Dominion—in "fact, a matter of importance to all the colonies and the Homeland. It was the largest New Zealand industrial exhibition yet held in the Dominion. It would be seen that manufacturers from all parte of Mew Zealand were exhibiting, and practically every industry of any importance was represented. The Wellington Provincial Industrial Association was established in September 1895. Its object was well known, and he claimed that the fostering of local industry was one which should appeal to all who had the welfare of New Zealand at heart, and who wished to see New Zealand become a self-supporting country. Importations occupied by far too great a part in New Zealahd trade. Personally (and there were doubtless many holding similar views) he had a very strong leaning towards manufacturing. It was gratifying to a manufacturer 'to be able to employ skilled labour and assist in the development of the country. This beng so, legislation should surely tend in the direction of assisting the manufacturers, and in providing opportunity for such employment. Thero was something wrong with a young country like this when a falling away in industrial life was shown. Last year the increase in the number of factories was only 262, whereas for the preceding nine years the average increase of factories was 662. Owing to representation's made the Government had appointed Mr Cameron to visit all the principal cities and towns in the Dominion to inquire into the conditions Of the irpn trade, which is reported to be in a languishing condition. In inspecting the manufactures displayed, it was hoped that visitors would be convinced that New Zealand goods were cer-

tainly equal to, if not better than, those imported. No Government subsidy had been asked for more. On the contrary, free space has been given to several departmental exhibits. The undertaking had been cheerfully guaranteed by some public-spirited citizens. Nothing had been left undone to provide amusement for visitors. The stadium, where all kinds of sports were to be conducted, should prove very attractive. After alluding to other sections of the exhibition he thanked the Railway Department for assisting the project by conveying exliibits to and from the exhibition free, &nd the steam shipping companies for free Carriage of exhbits on return journey. After the exhibition had been declared 6pen a telegram would be despatched to sns Majesty the King from the exhibition telegraph office. " During the term of 4be exhibition," Mr Ballinger concluded, Gracious Majesty King George will tbo crowned. - May he under Almighty God's protection have a long, prosperous, and peaceful reign, and may the old and new land prosper."—(Applause.) Mr Wilford congratulated the chairman and the executive committee on the excellency of the arrangement. The exhibition as a whole would be found to be the most complete of its kind ever held in the Dominion. He went on to eulogise Wellington, which he declared to be the •healthiest city in Australasia, . Hon. J. Carroll, who met with a- cordial reception, then formally declared the exhibition open. We lived, he said, in an age of industrial development, and j exhibitions were the means of drawing j people together and encouraging friendly j rivalry in trade. They constituted, in Jact; a kind of stocktaking produce ind the p:oducts of the commercial world. '

The leading citizens of Wellington were to be congratulated on the manner in ■which they had succeeded in demonstrating by means of the exhibition what industries, and what departments of trade might be cultivated in the interests of the Dominion. The exhibition formed a fine illustration of the ability of our people to rival those in other countries ti producing and manufacturing up to fuhe highest standard of quality and excellence. It was a kind of industrial census, which enabled us to compare our conditions and works with those of other countries, and to show how we stand in the great industrial campaign. Hera were on view at the exhibition various specimens of the products and manufactures of our countrv, which gave answer, and in a.way creditable to those responsible. —(Applause.) He went on to refer to the growth of New Zealand industries as a result of the employment of skilled labour and up-to-date methods, and then gave some interesting details. During the year ended March 31, 1900, there were in Wellington 550 workrooms, fti which were engaged 5908 persons. For the year ending March 31, 1910, the numbers had increased to 1074 workrooms and 8728 hands. There was, he remarked, only one thing to affect, the growth of our manufacturing industries, and that was the dearth of suitable labour. The position was, he knew, becoming acute, but they might rely on the question receiving the earliest consideration of the Government. Again, during the period from 1907 to 1910 the number of "shops in Wellington had increased from 1186 to 1538. The number of persons engaged in them increased from 3317 to 4065, and the wages paid had increased from £186,449 to £238,680. The outlook from an employment point of view, he added, as far as Wellington was concerned, appeared at present to compare favourably with any previous period during' the past five years. Not only had Wellington provided fairly regular employment for its skilled tradesmen and unskilled labourers during the last .12 months, but hundreds of new arrivals had been quickly and easily absorbed in the city and district. The approaching winter promised to be a favourable one, and although there was bound to be lost time owing to weather conditions, he had every reason to believe that the outlook for the colony generally was brighter and better than it had baen for the past two years.—(Applause.) The exhibition is being held in the I and TJ harbour sheds, the formed being 269 ft by 74ft in area and the latter 240 ft by 93ft. These two sheds give a floor space of 75,492 square feet, or 31,000 ft more than that available at the last exhibition held here in 1897.

The exhibits, excepting the working machinery and pianos, are confined to products or manufactures of New Zealand, the Teal object of the exhibition being to advertise the wonderful resources of the land. Many experienced commercial men tc-day avowed that the exhibition comprised the finest collection of New Zealand industries ever shown in the Dominion. Exhibits are forthcoming from nearly every place of importance between Auckland" and Invercarsril] and from along both coasts. Upstairs are a large number o* other displays, comprising the art gallery, the Government Railway and Agricultural Departments' exhibits, and a comprehensive display of the work of the pupils of the public and technical schools and the School of Art. A feature of the exhibition will be the lighting, as the local rival lfiuminant srrppliers are keenly competing against one another. One shed will be completely lighted by municipally supplied electricity, and the' other by gas. There are two notable displays of works of art in the exhibition. One comprises over 200 pictures lent by Wellington citizens, and is very varied in character. The other comprises scenic works in oil and water by Mr W. G. Baker, who has views on exhibition of almost every notable scene in the Dominion. The Railway Department's exhibit is of photographs of. various New Zealand-made locomotives and rolling' stock and specimens of the work done at the railway workshops. The Agricultural Department contributes exhibits from the State farms, and the Tourist Department has a number of stags' heads, scenic views, etc. The business exhibits are innumerable, and practically every New Zealand natural or manufactured article is oh view in some part of the building. Working displays are also numerous, one which attracted considerable attention being that of the

steam laundry, where shirts, collars, etc., -were washed and ironed expeditiously and thoroughly in full view of the public Electrical' and steiam m&cldnery is also m full working order in. various parts of the building. A number of models are shown, including one of a Dawson suspension bridge, complete in every detail. Among the Union Company's exhibits is a model valued at £6OO. The home industries section of the exhibition »wy extensively represented. In the exhibition will be a post and telegraph office, telephone bureau, and a branch of the Sayings Bank. The exhibition will remain open until July 29. Over 5000 persons attended the exhibition to-day.