CENTENNIAL OF DOMINION

Southland Times, Issue 22994, 14 September 1936, Page 6

CENTENNIAL OF DOMINION

SIGNIFICANCE OF OCCASION

BIG PREPARATIONS PLANNED (United Press Association.) Rotorua, September 12. “The celebrating of New Zealand’s Centennial in 1940 will no doubt be one of the biggest nation-wide occasions that has taken place in our country,” was the opinion expressed by the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) yesterday. The Minister detailed the arrangements for the celebration which he said were among several big undertakings facing the Internal Affairs Department on his taking up his portfolio. “The public has obtained a glimpse from the newspaper reports of some of the Centennial conferences held and of the almost colossal preparations that are required to be made between now and our reaching the great period,” continued Mr Parry. “Let me say that it is a fine thing to find a glowing unanimity of opinion permeating our local governing people of the Dominion that the Centennial must be the greatest occasion in New Zealand’s history. It is a pleasure to me to work with men showing such a magnificent spirit. With the Government they view the celebrations as for the whole of the country and for all the people to participate in them. I think I can safely say to-day that with the loy£l cooperation I am everywhere receiving in the work that, when 1940 is upon us, every part of Nev.' Zealand will be ready for the celebrations.”