DIRECTORS REGRET MISUNDERSTANDING

Southland Times, Issue 24109, 24 April 1940, Page 4

DIRECTORS REGRET MISUNDERSTANDING

OPENING OF EXHIBITION ON ANZAC DAY (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 23. “As a returned soldier myself and together with other returned soldiers on the Board of Directors and on the management of the Exhibition, and my other colleagues on the board, we regret the apparent misunderstanding that has arisen about the proposal to open the Exhibition on Anzac Day.” said the chairman of directors of the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition Company (Mr T. C. A. Hislop) commenting today on the resolution carried at the special meeting of the executive committee of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association protesting against the decision of the directors to open the Exhibition from 3.30 p.m. onward on Anzac Day. “We would be most loathe,” Mr Hislop said, “to do anything to offend the spirit of that day. It was consequently decided that the Exhibition would not open in the morning, nor till after the conclusion of the ceremonies at the War Memorial in the afternoon. This opening does not embrace the commercial side of the undertaking and the commercial exhibitors have been informed accordingly. Art galleries, museums and similar institutions are open during certain hours on Anzac Day and we feel that the non-commer-cial side of the Exhibition is similar in character to such institutions. “It should also be remembered that the Exhibition is not an every-day commercial undertaking, but a great national display showing the growth of our country over the last 100 years. The Exhibition is to continue only until May 4 and every opportunity should be given to the people of New Zealand to see and gain inspiration from the story that is unfolded there. Because of the holiday on St. George’s Day, on Anzac Day itself, and of the holiday on Saturday in connection with the 2nd Echelon, many thousands of people have taken the opportunity of coming to Wellington with the desire, among other things, of seeing the Exhibition. We do not wish to deprive them of this opportunity. A similar course was adopted on Christmas Day and on Good Friday without objection.”