THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22507, 15 September 1938, Page 12

THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS

BILL INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE

GOVERNMENT GRANTS AUTHORISED

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, September 14,

Described by the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) as a measure “to regulate machinery which was already working very smoothly,’’ the New Zealand Centennial Bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Governor-Gen-eral’s Message to-night. The bill is divided into two parts, one dealing with the centennial celebrations and memorials, and the other with arrangements for the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition, which is to be held in Wellington. Authority is given for the setting up of a National Centennial Council, and its procedure and functions are defined. Another section deals with national committees, and particularly with the functions of the national historical committee. Provincial districts set up for purposes of centennial celebrations are Auckland, East Coast, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson, Westland, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland. The existing organisation with regard to provincial celebrations is confirmed. The Minister for Internal Affairs is given power to approve celebrations, and memorials, and local authorities and others are authorised to incur expenditure for the centennial. The Minister is empowered to make grants from public moneys, appropriated by Parliament, to provincial organisations and controlling committees as contributions towards the cost of centennial celebrations, or memorials. The grants will be made on a subsidy basis of £1 for £3. Officers of the public service may be appointed for administrative duties for the centennial. The circulation of unauthorised printed matter in relation to centennial celebrations is made an offence punishable by a fine of £IOO. The clauses dealing with the Centennial Exhibition are mainly for the purpose of validating the arrangements which have already been made. There is power for the remission or reduction of Customs or excise duties, land tax, and income tax in relation to the activities of the company controlling the exhibition, and the Minister for Finance is empowered to grant loans to the company up to £25,000 in the aggregate. Local authorities are authorised to contribute towards the cost of the exhibition, or to subscribe for shares in the exhibition company. The Wellington City Council is empowered to remit the rates on the exhibition site. Harbour boards are also given discretionary power to remit dues or any other charges on goods to be used for the purposes of the exhibition. The company is given permission to make by-laws regulating admission to the exhibition, and the granting of licences to exhibitors.- Actions taken in anticipation of the legislation are validated. The bill was read a first time.