BRITISH PAVILION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20091, 10 November 1939, Page 9

BRITISH PAVILION

CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION OPENING CEREMONY OUTSTANDING DISPLAY (Trr Press Association.) AVELLINGTON, this day. The stately United Kingdom pavilion at the Centennial Exhibition ivas officially opened yesterday afternoon by the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in New Zealand, Sir Harry Batterbce.

The Commissioner-General of the pavilion, Mr. G. If. Meadmore, presided over a distinguished gathering which included the Minister of Industries and Commerce and the exhibition president, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, the Mayor of Wellington and' the chairman ol' directors of the exhibition company, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, the -Anglican Archbishop of New Zealand, die most Rev. A. AV. Averill, His Alajesty’s Trade Commissioner in New Zealand, Air. R. Boulter, members of the Cabinet and the Legislature, representatives of the consular corps, members of the board of the exhibition company and other prominent citizens.

Every improvement in communica-

‘ions redounded to the advantage of trade and commerce and, even more important, drew yet closer the ties which bound this Dominion and the Mother Country and promoted the unity and strength of the British commonwealth which was so vitally essential for future peace and the civilisation of the world, said Sir Harry Balterbcc, in declaring the pavilion open. British Contribution “During the comparatively short ime I have been in New Zealand as the first United Kingdom Commissioner, I have had the privilege of ‘aking part in many of your functions,” said Sir Harry. “None, however, has given me greater pleasure than the function that afternoon when I came here lo open, on behalf if His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom, the pavilion which •narks the official participation of the United Kingdom in this exhibition. “I regard it as a very high honour to be so closely associated with vour centennial celebrations and, particularly, with this great exhibition which forms so worthy and important part of them.”

Mr. Meadmore said the pavilion and exhibits could be considered as -he Home Government’s contribution to the celebrations and the centennial.

“I would like to say how much the Government of New Zealand, as well as the exhibition authorities, apnreciate the gesture made by the British Government in being represented so effectively and beautifully at the centennial and exhibition, said Mr. Sullivan.

Unity For Freedom

"It was Britons and the children of Britain who had built New Zealand, Mr. Sullivan said. Though there had been some difficulties in recent times in regard to trade, they were of a transient kind. This country stood side by side with the United Kingdom in the mighty efTort that was being made to uphold the freedom of the Empire, of the world and of democracy.

Air. Hislop, on behalf of the directors of tiic company, expressed gratitude to the United Kingdom Government for its help in a great national enterprise. Their expectations had been more than realised by the ex‘ent to the exhibit. It was equal to anything in the exhibition grounds. The guests were shown round the oavilion and were later entertained at afternoon tea. Day’s Main Event The opening of the magnificent £35,000 pavilion was the day’s main event at the exhibition. Ip spite of rain the ceremony was well attended. Though the attendance at the exhibition was naturally fewer than on the first day, the main courts were well filled throughout the day and evening, and the day was spent rather m contemplation of the deeply-in-terested exhibits than in the outdoor entertainments, which were keenly patronised on the opening day. The exhibition is quickly settling down to what will be its regular life of the coming six months.

To-day, the Australian Government pavilion is being opened and the routine of lectures and demonstrations in the Women’s Court and many other sections is being launched and the first centennial conference is taking place in (he conference hall.