THE EXHIBITION

Otago Witness, Issue 3624, 28 August 1923, Page 8

THE EXHIBITION

MR MASSEY’S SYMPATHY. A meeting of the provisional directors of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition Company was held in Mr W. E. C. lerian Social Service Association tendered a by Messrs J. Sutherland Ross (chairman), 11. L. Tapley, P. L. Halsted, S. Solomon, K.C., H. K. Wilkinson, J. H. Walker, B. S. Irwin, A. Barnett, J. Evans, 11. F. Nees, J. Loudon, H. F. Sincock, and C. Speight. In referring to the deputation which waited on Mr Massey last week, the chairman stated that the deputation was very fairly received, but Mr Massey pointed out that lie never made promises on matters of that sort without consulting the Cabinet. The deputation pointed out that £55,000 had been raised, and that the directors had no doubt about raising £IOO,OOO, and it asked for a straight-out subsidy. It pointed out that a request for money would not be macie for some considerable time. The deputation also asked for the assistance of the Prime Minister and the High Commissioner in the direction of securing exhibits from the Imperial Exhibition to be held in London next year. It was pointed out that this Exhibition was an affair that concerned the whole of New Zealand. The Mayor (Mr Tapley) had followed the speaker, bringing forward various points, and Sir George Fenwick had, to use his own words, picked up the loose strings, speaking more particularly with regard to the extent to which business in the dominion had grown in the periods between the various Exhibitions and quoting figures which appeared to appeal to Mr Massey very much. The deputation also took advantage of the opportunity to call on the various banks, beginning with the Bank of New Zealand. The directors of the Bank of New Zealand had responded very handsomely, promising £looo.—(Applause.) The deputation had given an assurance that anything in the nature of a donation would be treated on the same basis as if the bank was a shareholder. In his remarks to the Prime Minister Sir George Fenwick had stated that the Government money would be treated in the same way. In view of subsequent happenings ho thought that was probably a very wise step to take. The other banks trading here preferred not to make any pronouncement as to what they were prepared to do, taking up the attitude that they would rather make it an association matter. The temporary chairman of the associated banks was not prepared to say anything definite until a meeting of the association was held. Several of the banks had their headquarters in Mel-

bourne, but in view of the lead given by tile Bank of New Zealand it was hoped to get.something- substantial from them, either separately or as an association. Mr Tapley expressed the opinion that they would receive a very generous response from the Government. He thought Mr Massey recognised the importance of the Exhibition from a dominion point of view’. He considered that Mr Massey was seized with the fact that if anyone could rim an Exhibition successfully from a financial point of view the citizens of Dunedin could do so. Mr Buokleton (general manager of the Bank of New Zealand) had made very satisfactory arrangements regarding finance. He was prepared to take on deposit any money they had, and suggested that they should deposit certain sums for different periods. For deposit! up to two years he would allow A per oent, for six to 11 months per cent., and for three to five months 3j per oent. If they wanted money that was on fixed deposit no doubt some arrangement could bo made to get it. He thought that was a very favourable arrangement. Mr Tapley proceeded to express the opinion that the response from the Bank of New Zealand was a splendid one, and it was hoped that the lead thus given would be an example to the other banks, and that they would also subscribe generously to the Exhibition. He thought they had a splendid emissary in Sir George Fenwick, who carried a lot of weight and respect, and who was of great value to the deputation in the negotiations with the banks and other institutions. He would like to pay a special tribute to Sir George for the time he spent in going to Wellington, and also for the interest he took in regard to publicity. The deputation had met Mr Gunson (the Mayor of Auckland), who was in full sympathy with the Exhibition, and anything that he or the citizens of Auckland could do to further the interests of the Exhibition would bo done willingly. Thoee whom the deputation met did not look upon the Exhibition from a parochial point of view, and ho was sure that they were going to have whole-hearted support throughout tho dominion. The Chairman mentioned that a very fine exhibit from the Mines Department would be sent Homo for the Imperial Exhibition next year. The deputation to Wellington had seen Mr Bennett (chairman of the Advisory Committee), and it hoped to be able to get that exhibit. Mr Bennett had undertaken to let them have a list of all tho exhibits that would be sent from New' Zea land to the Imperial Exhibition with a viow to their deciding what they would like to get back here. Tile Secretary (Mr Reid) reported that 5725 additional shares had been applied for sinco last jneeting,- bringing the total applications up to 60,316. The meeting decided that the shares be allotted as applied for. Further applications not yet dealt with will bring the total up to nearly 70,000 shares. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the members of the deputation that waited ou Mr Massey.