EXHIBITORS’ PART

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 183, 30 April 1940, Page 9

EXHIBITORS’ PART

Success Of Exhibition COMPANY’S THANKS In recognition of the part they have played fn making the Exhibition a success, the exhibitors were entertained by the Exhibition Company yesterday at a luncheon in the Exhibition restaurant. The chairman of directors. Mr. Hislop, mayor of Wellington, presided, and also present were the president of the Exhibition. Mr. Sullivan. .Minister of Industries and Commerce, members of the directorale and overseas representatives. About 300 exhibitors were present. Mr. Hislop expressed pleasure nt the presence of the Exhibition president on such a notable occasion and said that the help Mr. Sullivan had given at all times had been outstanding. The Exhibition was drawing to a close, but before the doors were shut, the directors wished to take the opportunity.of thanking the exhibitors for the part they had played in making it successful? Difficulties had arisen one after the other, in masses, brigades and divisions, but by the time the doors closed it was expected that approximately 25 million people would have passed through the turnstiles. The New York and Glasgow exhibitions had been visited by approximately 25 per cent, of the population, and the San Francisco exhibition by less than that, so that, when it was realized that in New Zealand approximately 14 times the population had visited the Exhibition, in numbers the undertaking had been able to establish something 'that had not been equalled or approached for a long time. ~ “You exhibitors have been the lifeblood of the Exhibition,” said Mr. Hislop. “On you depended the spectacle we have been able to put on here. The people of New Zealand have seen here a presentation of their country’s story that has far exceeded their expectations. You have been in the battle throughout and you have stuck to us since the momentous decision was made to go on with the undertaking. You have plaved your part for New Zealand In tile year of her centennial and what you have done will never lie forgotten by those who have bad the privilege of your help.” Every Conceivable Difficulty.

'rhe Exhibition had encountered every conceivable difficulty, and in the circumstances the results wore exceedingly satisfactory, said Mr. Sullivan, in thanking Mr. Hislop and his codirectors for their work on behalf of the enterprise. The Government and the people, he said, did appreciate the great national service they had given In making the Exhibition the success it had undoubtedly- been.

The luncheon was probably one of the most representative gatherings ever held in the country, continued the Minister. Just as the Exhibition was an adequate and full ponbrayal of all the activities of 'the country at the conclusion of the first hundred years of its national life, so too the exlribl,'tors were representatives of every activity in the Dominion's national 1 “In a few days,” said Mr. Sullivan, “the doors of the Exhibition will be closed, and another chapter in our history will have been written—a very colourful and very important chaptei, in which we can all feel the utmost pride and satisfaction. It is the most representative' display ever got. together in our country. To all who have played their part in spite of difficulties and discouragements, I thank you for having done a job that is a credit to New Zealand. You have brought about something that will take its place as one of the finest achievements in the story of our nation.” Educational Value.

Replying on behalf of the exhibitors, Mr. G. H. Jackson, managing director of the Ford Motor Company, said that the Exhibition had carried on in .spite of war, weather and restrictions and had been a credit/to every exhibitor. The primary purpose of the Exhibition was for the education of the youth of the country, and it had been wonderful to see the children coming from all parts of the Dominion. Many had never been on trains before or in a city. Al) associated with tlie Exhibiton could feel proud if they had added something to the education of the children. "To manufacturers I would say that the time has come when we must tell the people of this country what we think of the goods made in this country,” said Mr. Jackson. “We have no reason or cause to apologize for what has 'been made here, but there is sometimes a feeling that because an article is made in New Zealand it is inferior. That is not so. Tlie manufacturer has an obligation to tell tlie people that goods made in New Zealand are second to none, and to back up that statement with tlie necessary quality.” Despite the present terrible times, tlie Exhibition had been a wonderful success and it had served to bring together many manufacturers and other sections of the community and to give them a deeper insight into each other’s problems and difficulties.