ALL-BRITISH EXPEDITION.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 18, 2 November 1910, Page 7

ALL-BRITISH EXPEDITION.

GREAT? IMPERIAL scheme. LONDON, September 23. . Tile main outline of a scheme for a great Alt-British Exhibition, to ’be held in London in 1915, has been supplied to ape this week by the Union Jack Industries League, a hou-party organisation formed to support Home and Colonial products and manufactures by economising the systematic demand for a purchase of British-made articles. Between now and 1915 other displays of British goods will be held under the auspices of the League, the object being to prepare the public and work up its enthusiasm for the climax five years hence, when there will take place the greatest exhibition confined to products of the capital and labour of British subjects ever held. ■Not only has the Union Jack Industries League inaugurated this Imperial scheme for the development of “Industrial Patriotism,” but it is also the first body to propose the celebration of the anniversary of Magna Charts, the granting of which marked the foundationstone of British freedom. Though it is proposed that the exhibition itself will be opened on Empire Day, May 24, 1915, there will be a unique celebration on June 19, that being the “OOth anniversary of the famous Charter. The liberties enjoyed, not only by the people of the British Isles, but also of those throughout the Oversea Dominions, are ultimately based upon Magna Charta. It is fortunate, therefore, the year 1915 should be one in which an Imperial Conference will assemble, for the opportunity would be afforded to the Prime Minister of the Dominions to attend this interesting historic celebration. . The main object of the exhibition itself is to demonstrate the agricultural and manufacturing capabilities of British possessions throughout the world. Each Dominion or Colony would, as far as practicable, erect its own exhibition building. The plan of the exhibition would afford visitors the opportunity of, fuguratively speaking, touring the Empire—that is to say, its geographical distribution will be followed its far as possible. Among the many interesting features of. the exhibition would be a Palace of Empire, with a Congress Hall and Art Gallery attaiJied. In the Congress Hall meetings would be held for the discussion of. numerous subjects of Imperial interest. The social side of the exhibition would be provided for by means of an Empire Club, and the commercial ’by a General Bureau of Information with an Emigration Office attached. It is too early yet to give a classification of exhibits, . but it is intended that they should -be of the widest possible range in order to represent every feature in the industrial life in the British Empire. One important class would consist of exhibits designed to popularise the study of social conditions at Home and oversea, and illustrating the various movements now on foot —the Garden City movement and others —for the betterment of hygiene and the conditions of domestic life. Popular anuisements in great variety will be arranged for. including cricket and other games, rifle shooting, intercolonial competitions of numerous kinds, and displays of mimic naval warfare. As regards the financing of the enter-

prise, early steps will be taken to raise a guarantee fund. The exact amount which it will be necessary to raise has not yet been determined, but it is provisionally estimated at £500,000. Appeal will be made to the Home and Colonial Governments for support in this, as well as in other directions, and in order that British subjects throughout the world may become personally associated with the enterprise, it is proposed to open a public subscription list. Ample funds will be necessary to meet all preliminary and administrative expenses, the cost of erecting buildings, and other expenditure, until revenue from the exhibition itself begins to come in.