OUTSTANDING SUCCESS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 188, 6 May 1940, Page 11

OUTSTANDING SUCCESS

Fair Treatment For The Shareholders CHAIRMAN’S PROMISE “In spite of all the difficulties that faced the directors from the beginning, judged by all standards the Exhibition has been an outstanding success,” said the chairman of directors, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, mayor of Wellington, art the closing ceremony. It had been hoped that the attendance at the Exhibition would be about 4,000,000, and no doubt in peace-time, and in ordinary circumstances, this figure would have been attained. Actually, the number of visitors up to the closing time at midnight on Saturday would be roughly two-and-three-quarter millions. That would be one and a half times the entire population of the Dominion. No other Exhibition anywhere in the world for many years had been able to approach in its attendances such a high proportion of the populace of the country in which it took place. Mr. Hislop said that already the Exhibition directors had officially thanked all who had contributed to the organization, construction and management of the Exhibition, as well as the exhibitors. There remained another large group to whom they were heavily indebted—those who in rhe early days of the undertaking came forward and put up the money required, by taking shares in the enterprise. They did so with no hoix; of profit, because any surplus after they had been repaid would have been devoted to general charitable purposes. They had subscribed more than half the capital and had helped the enterprise to go on. Negotiations were now proceeding, and would, of course, be brought to an amicable conclusion, for the Government to take over the buildings and grounds of the Exhibition, for purposes of State dictated by the war. Arrangements would be made on the basis of the true value of the Exhibition assets, and he knew it to be the desire of both those taking over and the directors themselves to ensure that the shareholders who had come into the undertaking should receive fair, proper and just treatment. He assureds them they would receive it.

All those who had participated in the Exhibition throughout, had seen it grow from small beginning, and had been present from the opening to the end, would naturally regret its inevitable end. Patrons and all who took part had helped to make it an effort worthy of the country, marking suitably the country’s centennial. They would have very happy memories of it to contemplate in the future, and he knew it could not but help to make them better citizens of New Zealand and the British Commonwealth of Nations. MAORI RACE Tribute To Promoters Of Exhibition “Though it is raining a light rain, it closes a wonderful book,” was the picturesque opening of the speech by Mr. Tirikatene, M.P., representing the Maori race. “We of the Maori race appreciate this light shower,” he said, "because a shower of this nature only presents itself when there is something great and noble taking place.” Mr. Tirikatene said he wanted to take the opportunity of associating his people with all who had extended congratulations to the promoters responsible for the finest exhibition in the world. He made a plea that the Maoris be given the opportunity to retain their arts and crafts and expressed the hope that they would be able to adorn the panels on the walls of their homes so that their craftsmanship would stand out as an inspiration to the Maoris of the future.