NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3764, 4 May 1926, Page 26

NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT.

PART IT HAS TAKEN. “If only for the purpose of expressing my deep appreciation to the press of Dunedin for the manner in which it has assisted the commissioners in publicity work, I welcome the opportunity of saying a few words on the closing day of the New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition,” remarked Mr J. VV. Collins, New Zealand Government Commissioner, to a Daily Times reporter. “The measure of Assistance that has been afforded by the press here has been most helpful and most generous, and has undoubtedly been one of the largest factors contributing towards the meritorious success of Dunedin’s great national undertaking. “It is a pleasure to me to state that the great concourse of people that have visited the New Zealand Government Pavilion have expressed their great appreciation of the effort made by the 17 departments that have participated. Most of the departments concerned had had little 'exhibition experience, and in the early days of organising displays it was difficult to decide just how some of the departments could show their functions and work interestingly. Twelve of the 17 departments had already made displays in the exhibition held in Christchurch in 1906-7, but most of the officers who then had the responsibility of arranging the exhibits have long ceased to belong to the civl service, so that the organisation had to be attempted by men without practical experience. Then, as now, the Department of Agriculture made the largest display, and occupied the principal place amongst the Government departmental courts. Upon it devolved the duty in 1925-26 of demonstrating the great development that has taken place in our primary industries and the progress made over a series of years in pastoral and agricultural pursuits. A unique feature of this department’s display at the New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition has been the plots adjacent to Pavilion No. 5 containing the proper systematic methods of dealing with various grasses and field crops, and suitable soils for their growth and manures for their propagation. “Another commendable featuie that was adopted in connection with the Exhibition of 1925-06 over that of the International Exhibition of Iso6, was the grouping of practically all the State departments under one roof instead of having them scattered through many pavilions. The foresight of the directors in placing the pavilion at the disposal of the Government nee been more than justified by the results achieved. One of the outstanding features of the departmental displays has been the educative value to visitors. Experts have combined with school teachers to make known to the thousands of scholars of the younger generation the functions of State departments, and hav e been able to demonstrate very effectively their lessons from the facilities afforded by the exhibits. Not only have they demonstrated the functions but some nave provided excellent service to the public during the course of the Exhibition, particularly the Post and Telegraph Department, and the Tourist and Railway Bureaux. A very large amount of business he« been done by

those departments, and the public has been given the same efficient services that would be found in city offices. Special mention should be made of the Government kinema, which has entertained nearly half a million visitors without charge, and has shown, day after day, scenic ana sporting views of the Dominion, and some highly educative films dealing with industry and travel in other parts of the Empire. It can be claimed with confidence that of the 3,000,000 odd visitors who have passed through the gates of the Exhibition, at least 90 per cent, paid a visit to the New Zealand Government pavilion. “These visitors have come from all parts of the world—from parts so wide spread that it would be difficult to detail them in this brief review. We have interviewed and entertained statesmen from all parts of the British Empire, from the United States of America, and a few from Europe. The interchange of views with these men cannot fail to have a lasting effect upon commercial and industrial members of the community with whom they have been put in touch. “The Exhibition has also succeeded in bringing to Dunedin, for the first time, many thousands of New 7 »alanders who had not before proceeded so far south. A very large number of our own People were thus enabled to admire the architectural beauties of the city, and visit its beautiful surroundings. Direct evidence has been given that these visitors have extended their tours to the p tago and Southland districts, and have been able to see and admire the scenic charms of lakes, mountains, and rivers. “A special word of appreciation in regard to the orderliness and behaviour of the crowds that have visited the various Eavilions should be eiven. This conduct as been more marked here than at any other Exhibition with which I have been associated, and it can be said without fear of contradiction that there has been less loss by way of pillage and damage than has before come under my personal notice. “In concluding. I feel confident that the C vernment Pavilion has marked an advance in any like undertaking in the Southern Seas. Indeed, world travellers he e informed me that it is unique The displays have shown the development of our main departments c State, and tne important work they are performing for the national good. The displays have done more than any other form of pr paganda to convey to visitors an exact realisation of the work performed by the public and civil services of the Dominion. “To the directors and the management, to the overseas and provincial commissioners, I would again like to record my deep appreciation of their kindly co-opera-tion and help during the whole period of the Exhibition. As the president has said on many public occasions, the team work of all concerned has been responsible in a very great measure for the excellent results achieved.’”