CENTENNIAL ENDS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 45, 16 November 1940, Page 13

CENTENNIAL ENDS

Close Of A Year Of Celebrations REVIEW BY MINISTER Today flags flying on post offices and public buildings throughout the Dominion will mark the official close of Hie centennial celebrations. Seen in retrospect', the centennial from every point of view has been a remarkable achievement, slates the Minister in charge of the celebrations, Mr. Barry, in a review of wbat. Ims been done. Mr. Parry states that the centennial organization, from the National Centennial Council ami the provincial councils to their zone and interzone committees, functioned admirably. By its ready adaptation to the needs of our patriotic effort, during the present war, it has shown itself to be an almost perfect means of organizing the people as a whole for national and local effort iu any great cause. “The centennial,’’ says Mr. Berry, “was approached in a spirit of reverence for tlie pioneers, of pride iu a hundred years of achievement, aud faith in the future of the country. In every province and in almost every localitj celebrations were held at appropriate times during the centennial period. In many cases these celebrations embodied historical pageants ami reenactments of historical occasions. “The purpose and spirit of the contennial were summarized by the late Mr. Savage in a message on the opening of centennial year. ‘This young nation has come of age.’ lie said. ‘This means a new era. bringing greater responsibilities to everyone in the common duty of securing peace, democratic freedom and national development.’

“The Government’s decision to go on with the celebrations, for which preparations were well advanced when Germany plunged the world into war, was supported by messages from all parts of the British Commonwealth. “In addition to the main national expenditure on the Waitangi, Petone and Akaroa celebrations, the music and drama festivals, art exhibitions, aud the publication of historic books, the Government, by way of subsidies, paid out about £51,000 for provincial and local memorials and celebrations. It is expected that a further £25,000 on that account will be lifted by the end of March. A full review of all activities would convince any reasonable questioner that New Zealand received very good value for the expenditure. The inspirational and cultural results of the centennial enterprise, however, cannot be measured iu terms of money. 250 Memorials. “The number of meinorials approved by the National Centennial Council was more than 250, including buildings, monuments, parks, playgrounds, swimming baths, aud tree planting. Some of the structures have architectural grandeur, and are impressive aesthetic assets. The number of Plunket rooms aud women’s rest rooms well supports the leading part taken by New Zealand in the progressive movement for the welfare of women and children. “On the cultural side, the influence of Centennial events will reach far into the future. For many New Zealanders the main memory of the Centennial celebrations will be the music festivals, dramatic festivals and art exhibitions. In the literary field, the national -schedule made liberal provision for the encouragement of New Zealand writers in a wide range of competitions.

“In daily and weekly newspapers and other publications there was a continuous appearance of special articles of local and national interest. In granting space for historical chronicles and Centennial activities, the Press showed an admirable publicspiritedness. The broadcasting stations also -responded well. “The national enterprise included the regular supply of historical articles. to newspapers, a series of 30 “Pictorial Surveys,” a dozen historical books, a “Dictionary of New Zealand Biography,” and the publication of a magazine “The New Zealand Centennial News.” Publication of the greatest Centennial work, the “Historical Atlas’ will be delayed till next year because of the shortage of suitable paper.

“Other productions were the special Centennial postage stamps, the Centennial half-crown, and the Centennial medals of the New Zealand Numismatic Society.

“In addition to the Government’s extensive output of Centennial literature, many historical works were published by provincial and local Centennial organizations. churches, banks, shipping companies, and individuals. High praise is due to the staffs of the Government Printing Office and private firms for the excellent printing and format of publications which in themselves are notable Centennial memorials of New Zealand printing. War Difficulties. “The Centennial Exhibition was a triumph over difficulties created by the war. It showed the whole scope of New Zealand’s development and progress during a century; it emphasized the truth of a prediction that it would be more representative of the whole country than any other exhibition. “A fitting finale to the spectacular part of the Centennial Is Hie film produced by 'the Tourist and Publicity Department by direction of the National Centennial Council—an excellent portrayal of a century of history, which should appeal strongly to people in New Zealand aud other countries of

“The Maori people were well represented in the celebrations. They staged at. Maketu one of the first two Centennial celebrations, and The last one, the opening of the Arawa meeting-house at Whakarewarewa. They had conspicuous parts in the national celebrations at Waitangi. Petone, and Akaroa. and in the Centennial Exhibition. Relationship between the two races was further strengthened by the Centennial. “Throughout the Dominion, by cooperation of the Education Department, teachers and local organizations, the Centennial was memorably impressed on the minds of young folk. They had a practical part in many programmes. Competitions of schools in historical and topographical surveys of their districts showed surprising excellence.”