Biggest Exhibition, But Nothing From N.Z.

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31083, 11 June 1966, Page 5

Biggest Exhibition, But Nothing From N.Z.

(Specially written for “The Press” by TI JI TH OMAS)

NEW ZEALAND has missed a unique opportunity to put itself into the world picture by refusing to take part in Expo 67, the Universal and International Exhibition of 1967, in Montreal.

More than 70, possibly nearer 80, other countries will spotlight their arts and sciences, their industrial and social achievements in a colourful spectacle of “Man and His World.” The turn-stiles are expected to click 30,000,000 times on world-wide tourists and businessmen between April and October. But the visitors will see nothing from New Zealand.

Even tiny Mauritius, with its population of only 751,000, has taken a site and is prepared to spend 90,000 dollars on its exhibit. Canada, the host country, expects its bill to exceed 21,000,000 dollars. Russia will spend an over-all 15,000,000 dollars.

Why did New Zealand, a foundation member of the Bureau of International exhibitions, turn down this chance to sh'w its flag? The reason given by the New Zealand Government to Expo officials was that unless it could participate with a first-class pavilion and exhibit it would rather spread the amount of money involved into several trade fairs. “We pointed out that the country could take part for as little as £150,000 with a representative and very effective pavilion,” said Mr K. L. Marshall, senior foreign liaison officer, in Montreal recently. Three Visits Mr Marshall made three visits to New Zealand, one with the CommissionerGeneral of Expo (Mr Pierre Dupuy) to negotiate with Government officers. “This amount may have r eemed too high to the New Zealand Government at the time, but participation would have brought its return in helping to cement trade development for New Zealand at a time when so many trade contacts and contracts will be

negotiated in Montreal,” he said. This will be the first world exhibition held in a Commonwealth country (apart from ithe London exhibition in 11851) and Canadian Expo ‘officials are disappointed that I one of the old Commonwealth countries has stayed out. New City "A Maori whare with a traditional outside appearance and modem tourism and trade exhibits inside, would have been most welcome,” Mr Marshall said. In the meantime, Expo 67, the biggest world exhibition of all time, is beginning to show its profile in structural steel. A new city is arising on a 1000-acre site built on the historic He SainteHelene in the St. Lawrence river, plus a new man-made island and an extended peninsula. All are connected by a minirail. Montreal is only a few minutes’ drive away over a new orthotropic deck bridge or ride by specially built subways. The theme of the exhibition is “Man and His World,” expressed as “Man the Creator,” “Man the Explorer,”

“Man the Producer,” “Man and the Community” and “Man the Provider.” In its own pavilion each exhibiting country will show, through its culture, scientific, industrial and social achievements, man adapting to and controlling his environment. The aim. is to educate and entertain. Housing Solution The most ambitious single exhibit is Habitat 67, now growing into its ultra-modern form. The pyramid-shaped structure will contain 158 houses (with from one to four bedrooms) each with its own garden, each with a maximum amount of sun and air. The whole building complex, with 11 levels of houses, is designed to attempt to solve some of the problems of urban development without following the tedious pattern of twodimensional high-rise apartment blocks. The architect has already been invited to India for consultations with housing settlement authorities there. A separate pavilion on the Expo site will house the Business Development Bureau as well as representatives of Government trade and industry departments and Canadian chartered banks. It will have a private club where businessmen will be able to talk trade with representatives of other countries. All communication facilities will be available to them. Expo officials have managed to persuade Canada’s seven

major churches, including the Catholic Church, to combine their ecumenical efforts in one pavilion. Three clinics, with ambulance services, will be provided. One of the clinics will be set up to cope with sudden maternity cases. There will be a theatre to seat 3000 for light, popular programmes, film festivals and national folk programmes. Opera, ballet, drama, orchestral and chamber music will be presented in the extended Place des Arts in Montreal, which has been taken over by Expo for six months. A sports stadium is being built to accommodate 25,000.

No exhibition would be complete without an amusement park; this will be built on 110 acres and known as “La Ronde." > Restaurant and snack bar facilities will be able to serve 23,000 visitors at a time. Park Later Organisations known as “Expovoyages” and “Logexpo” have reached out into all parts of the world through travel agents to help tourists go to Montreal and find accommodation next year. He Sainte-Helene has been Montreal’s favourite picnic park for many years. When the exhibition is dismantled the man-made area, on which 5,000,000 dollars has been spent in landscaping, will be incorporated into the park. This will provide the best type of civic memorial to the 325th anniversary of the founding of the largest city in the nation and the 100th anniversary of the union of the early provinces, which gave birth to Canada. 1967 will be a very special year for Canadians. They are making the most of it.