Empire Exhibition.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 February 1923, Page 1

Empire Exhibition.

\ 11N IST EICS 1X V ESTICATIOXS. aCSTKAI.IAX AXU 5.7.. ASSOt IATtON. LONDON, Lebrun rs V Xlr Joynsoit Hicks, in los report, -ays he saw 3d witnesses in the course or

the enquiry re l!:e British .Empire Exhihition materials. As regards tlie list of Empire piodm-v. he i- glad to say that ail arrangement has been come to between the Exhibition authorities and the High Commissioners whereby provision will he made in all contracts that Empire materials only shall he used in construction tud Empire products old. used in the restaurants. ‘■So it will he unnecessary loi me. lie continues, ‘go investigate the question further. I find that them lias been no nialfeasame or eorrupiion regarding the concessions for the nmll- - or the entertainments, hot there hi ve boon unforenuale occurrences in i" unction with the negotiations lor < oncessioiis. ow ing i i the Exhibition authorities not advertising for tenders. As regards the general administration

though llie Exhibition must he run as i: business undertaking, it is of sii- , preinc significance that it should not be allowed to be of secondary consideration. and it is highly desirable that there should lie a clear node! standing of the sentiments of the various Die millions and Colonies. I formed the eom'Jilsjon that Mr Donald was m-tnnt-ed hv a desire to do everything to make the Exhibition a thorough stie- , cess from the Imperial standpoint. I ' am convinced that there has been n grave lack of tact on the part of tlm (!eiiera.| Manager in his relations with those with whom he ought to he working harmoniously. Nevertheless, Lord Wintoiir is a man of marked ability. There are various veiled suggestions J even that he was not free from n so—pieion of corruption, but f am of the opinion that .there has been no corruption. Without hesitation, f recommend that there be no change in the . general management, which might he j fatal to the Exhibition at this late date. Lord Wintoiir. by his dominat- : ing personality, very largely controlled his committees. I now propose that the [control over tile general management 1 should he very greatly strengthened by an Executive Council, meeting frequently, with a Deputy-Chairman, who should give his whole time to the work, and receive adequate remuneration. If such a committee had been in control of affairs earlier, there would havo been no possibility ol recent criticism.” i The report concludes with thanks to .Aft- Dalton, the Now Zealand Trade Commissioner: “who.” it says, “assisted me in the inejuiry while on shnri leave before going to Canada.