CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS

Evening Star, Issue 23380, 25 September 1939, Page 12

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS

DECISION TO CARRY ON [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, September 23. “ There are still those in our midst who question the advisability of carrying through the Centennial celebrations, and particularly the Exhibition, said the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Sullivan) to-day. ‘ The decision to carry on the Exhibition was not made lightly and to those who may feel that some'other decision should have been made I would represent the position as those most intimately connected with the project see it. _ First, however, let me say I concur with the decision, and it is gratifying to note the Press also concurred when the decision was reached.” Mr Sullivan said that realising the fact that the nation was facing trying times, and that none could say with surety what the future would hold, it was well to take stock of the situation. For the past year all New Zealand had been looking forward to the Exhibition, and much work had gone into the preparations, which were now well advanced, and appreciable sums of money had been spent. To cancel the Exhibition out of hand would have meant to cancel every contract made. Then again there arose the question of what period could be set for the postponement. That was a question none could answer.

That briefly, added Mr Sullivan, was one side of the story. On the reverse side of the picture there was the fact that an international crisis had arisen, and uncertainty and doubt called for a lead. That lead was given in the directors’ decision after consultation with the Government to proceed along normal lines and to open the Exhibition on the date set originally. The Minister concluded by asking all to stand loyally behind the project, and so enable the directors of the Exhibition worthily to commemorate the outstanding historical milestone in our national life. “In the words_ of our national • motto, ‘ Advance New Zealand.’ ”