ANZAC DAY OPENING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 95, 24 April 1940, Page 6

ANZAC DAY OPENING

CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION COMMERCIAL SIDE NOT INCLUDED MR. HISLOP EXPLAINS L Per Press Association. J WELLINGTON, April 23. ' "As a returned soldier myself, an .; together with other returned soldier.:; on the board of directors and on th. management of the Exhibition, an . my other cblleagues on the board, v. c regret that an apparent misunde; - j standing has arisen in connection with i the proposal to open the Exhibition on ; Anzac Day,” said the chairman o- i directors of lhe New Zealand Center.- i nial Exhibition Company, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, commenting to-day on the re- i solution carried at the special meeting of the executive committee of the Nev. j Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association. The resolution protested 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. His-' lop said,‘ to do anything to offend the | spirit of the day. It was consequently j decided that the Exhibition would not I

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 evr the last 100 years. Il should also be remembered that the Exhibition is to continue only till May 4 and that every opportunity should be given to the people of New Zealand to sec and gain inspiration from the story there unfolded. Because of the holiday of St. George’s Day, of Anzac Day itself, and of the holiday on Saturday in connection with the Second Echelon, many thousands of people have taken the opportunity of coming to Wellington with a 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.”