"ASK THE GOVERNMENT."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1126, 13 May 1911, Page 7

"ASK THE GOVERNMENT."

AUCKLAND EXHIBITION IDEA,

(By Telegraph—PreS3 Association.)

Auckland, May 12.

The first important stage towards the holding of a big international exhibition in Auckland was taken • this afternoon, when the Chamber of Commerco practically committed itself to the -undertaking, and authorised a public meeting to be called to discuss the necessary steps. . The Chamber received a report of the committee appointed to confer on the. matter, whicii stated that the committee had unanimously resolved: "That a iirst-class international exhibition should be held in Auckland within the next two years."

The chairman (Mr. Loo Myers), in moving the adoption of the report, reminded members that it was thirteen years since the last exhibition had been held. For sonio timo past considerable discussion had taken place in business circles in regard to this-matter, and the proposal seemed to have mot with ■general approval, not onlv in Auckland, but elsewhere. One Wellington paper, however, seemed to think that it was the intention of the Provincial. Committee to ask tlio Government for financial assistance similar to that given to the Christchurch Exhibition, for which tho Government -was mulcted to-;tho extent of some £50,000 or £60,000. Ho (tho president) wished to say that tho Auckland Chamber- of Commerce did not suggest, that the Government should subsidise the exhibition in this way, and that tho Chamber would be satisfied with a much smaller amount than that. The exhibition would give an excellent opportunity :for aiding, and generally assisting in demonstrating, the progress ofj/itho, Rominion. There was a general-expfdssio'j-ofVopinioirab-the time that the financial aspect of the_ phristchurch Exhibition was being considered that exhibitions supported by Government subsidies should bo held at reasonable intervals in each of the large cities of the Dominion.' So ho thought that tho Chamber of Commerce might'go to the Government with every reasonable expectation that their request would bo granted. (Hear, ; hear.) Ho moved the adoption of the committeo's report. Mr. Gunson seconded the motion, which was carried without dissent.