SURPRISE EXPRESSED

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 225, 21 April 1933, Page 2

SURPRISE EXPRESSED

Kauri Gum Collection AUCKLAND ASKS WHY The Auckland Star in an editorial note expresses surprise that the Government has approved of the purchase of the Peal collection of kauri gum and Maori clrios, at the price of £3OOO, under present day "tyircfunw stances. "Many of our readers must have been astounded to read that in. a time of acute national stringency the Government has been able to find £3OOO to present the Peat collection of kauri gum and Maori curios to the Dominion Museum, in Wellington," says the Star. "We publish a letter from Mr. H. E. Vaile which throws some light on the transaction, but calls for more information. Kauri gum is a substance confined to the Auckland Province, and the collection is an Auckland one, so that the proper place for it is the Auckland W,'ar Memorial Museum. Indeed, this museum tried to secure it, but could get no help from the Government, yet two Auckland members of the Government go past this institution and buy the collection for the Dominion Museum at a price that is apparently much higher than that for which it could have been bought for Auckland. "It is stated that there was a danger of the collection leaving the country ,and that Mr. Peat was prepared to take less than he was offered from America, in order to keep it in New Zealand. Mr. Vaile, however, mentions £2OOO as the figure for which the collection could have been bought for Auckland, and the Government gave £3OOO. Why was the prise raised to this extent?

"It is an extraordinary transaction, especially when the needs of the times are considered. For example, the Cawthron Institute, the most valuable scientific research institution in New Zealand, which is doing most important work for our industries.is feeling the financial pinch so seriously that there is talk of it having to close, its closing would be an absolute scandal, made all the worse by reason of the provision by the Government of £3OOO out of art union profits for a collection largely consisting of kauri gum."