H.—44

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available for exhibits, and liberal provision was made for the necessary avenues, lounge, and refresh-ment-rooms. The' cooperation of the Agricultural anil Pastoral Association ensured splendid displays of exhibits of primary products, whilst the courts set up by various districts were outstanding features of the Exhibition. The joint control by these two important bodies, agricultural and industrial, has led to a. better understanding as to the dependence e>f each section upon the either. The industrial section made an earnest appeal to the public to purchase goods made in New Zealand, anel the range anel quality of the exhibits elicited most favourable comment, anel emphasized the great, progress that has been maele in industry generally. Represented at the: Exhibition were several State Departments —namely, Agriculture, External Affairs, Railways, and Industries and Commerce. The Hawera Winter Show authorities invited the manufacturers of the Dominion to support the show which was held at Hawera from the Ist to the sth July last. Owing to an unfortunate overlapping of dates as between the Auckland, Wellington, anel Hawera Exhibitions, it was found to be impracticable to get the wiele support expected ; anel, whilst many manufacturers participated, the show could not be" considered as truly representative of the Dominion's industries. The' Department has promised its co-operation next year, and will make every effort to secure wieler representation from manufacturers generally. In Wellington an Exhibition was held from the sth te) the 19th July last. Although small in comparison with the Exhibition held in Auckland, it proved to be a great attraction to the general public, who expressed astonishment anel pleasure at the progress the' displays disclosed. Exhibitors showed, a great deal of enterprise in the laying-out of their stalls, and were rewarded for their work by the appreciation of visitors. Whilst the industrial side of the; Exhibition was supported mainly by manufacturers in the Wellington District, a few enterprising firms from other centres also made displays. Like the Aucklanel Harbour Board, the Wellington Harbour authorities freely placed certain wharfshcels at the disposal of the executive: committee, and this public-spirited action contributed very largely towarels the Exhibition's success. Every exhibitor approached by the Department spoke: favourably of the benefits received from these Exhibitions, and declared that increased business invariably followed. It is tei be Wellington's privilege next year to hold a Dominion Exhibition of New-Zealand-maele goods, and if the necessary buildings can be provided in a suitable locality there can be no doubt as to its success. Steady progress is being made by the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition Company (Limited) in its ambitious scheme of opening at Dunedin an Exhibition of the world's arts, products, and manufactures during the summer eif 1925-26. Contracts for the erection of the main buildings have been, let at a cost of over £57,000, and. construction has actually commenced. Enthusiastic committees covering all phases of the Exhibition's scope have been at work for some time. An experienced manager has been appointed, ami a wide canvass has been anel is being made throughout the worlel for active support. New Zealand has not yet fully realized the magnitude of this Exhibition. Its promoters expect that it will be the largest of its kind yet held in the Dominion, and will be half as big again as the International Exhibition held at Christchurch. in 1906. The promoters emphasize the fact that the Exhibition is a Dominion affair, anil that it is recognizee! by the Government as a national undertaking, having received a subsidy from Government funds amounting to £25,000. The Department is co-operating with the management in e;ve:ry possible: way. The Department regards the duty of assisting industrialists of this Dominion in these Exhibitions as a most important one. These displays of New-Zcaland-manufactureel goods form a wise method of making a direct appeal to the public to support the products of our own industries. The financial success achieved has augmented the funds of the industrial associations concerned, anel the experienced gained from year to year must inevitably result in the provision of increasingly attractive: elisplays of New-Zealand-maele goods. The forward policy adopted of showing primary and secondary displays annually under the one roof in each of the four centre's has come to stay, and each centre aims to provide: permanent buildings suitable for exhibition purposes. British Empire Exhibition. The work in connection with the collection, preparation, and despatch of exhibits for the New Zealanel pavilion occupied a great deal of the attention of the Department during the year just past. With the ready co-operation of all sections of the community interested, an excellent range of exhibits was despatched to Lonelon. The honorary Advisory Council and District Committees appointed to assist the Government performed excellent work, and through their efforts a most comprehensive collection of New Zealand's primary anil industrial products is being shown, together with exhibits dealing with all phases of the national life of our people. Whilst the pavilion is mainly showing the great resources of the Dominion in respect of food products, its great and varied mineral wealth, and its attractions to the settlor, tourist, and sportsman have been given due prominence.. For the estimated expenditure of £100,000 it has been the endeavour of the New Zealand controlling authorities to give: a practical and well-arranged exhibition of our representative products, and in this endeavour all the e;vielence points to complete: success having been achieved. For the first few weeks after the opening date, 23rd April, it has to be acknowledged that the New Zealand Court was neit completed. A variety of unavoidable causes were responsible for this. Apparently the Exhibition was opened before the buildings were: completed, and before all the exhibits were delivered. Many of the: essential exhibits were unfortunately hold up by a strike of dock workers at the Port of London. Trouble with the power for the machinery was also experienced. Visitors who saw the pavilion in the early stages were critical of the display made. Those critics, however, who have made later visits have frankly acknowledged that a wonderful transformation has been effected, and they now state that the pavilion from every point of view is a credit to the Dominion.