DUNEDIN EXHIBITION.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18419, 27 June 1925, Page 8

DUNEDIN EXHIBITION.

WELLINGTON'S LACK OF INTEREST. (P3ISS ASSOCIATION TELEGSAI-O ■WELLINGTON, Juno 2G. The local Duncdin Exhibition Committee lias reported that only £ISoO was i:i hand of the £6OOO required, and reports from Palmerston North and Wanganui shoved that very little interest was being taken there. A member said tho present apathy was pos6ibly due to tho want oP definite proposals as to tho "Wellington exhibit. It was suggested that the Harbour Board might contribute £IOOO.. but doubts were cast on its power to do so.

Sir J. W. Collins, secretary of tho Department of Industries and Commerce, urged that completed plans be. drawn Tip, and others took the same, view. Ultimately it was decided to go on, and further efforts will bo made to obtain the co-operation of the country districts. DISTRICT COURTS. SPENDING POWER OF LOCAL BODIES. (PBESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, June 26. A statement which amounted to an undertaking that the Government will give local bodies authority to spend money upon district courts at tho Dunedin and South Seas Exhibition was made by the Acting-Stinister of Industrios and Commerce (Hon. G. J. Anderson) to-day. "I know what you want," said Mr Anderson, as 600n as the deputation entered his room. "You are busy men, and so am I. You want authority for local bodies to spend money an tho Exhibition. Well, I am going to ask Cabinet to givo that authority. Does that fix you, gentlemen?" The spokesman replied in the> affirmative, adding that the sooner tho authority was given tho better they would bo pleased. The Minister said that ho would bring the matter hel'ol-o Cabinet afc its next meeting, to-day or to-morrow. Heread to the deputation a draft clause giving the necessary authority, providing that an overdraft incurred in respect to contributions to the Dunedin Exhibition should not ho regarded ns aa overdraft which is subject to tho limitations of tho Local Bodies Financo Act.