British and Intercolonial Exhibition.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 June 1923, Page 1

British and Intercolonial Exhibition.

IMPORTANT COUNCIL MEETING. MONDAY. JUNE isitii. The Exhibition Council mot at 2 [).in. Present:—Messrs IV. J. Butler (President), W. Jeffries. G. Davidson, B. Wild, 0. A. Perry, A. Aitken, D. J. Evans and Hon 11. L. -Michel. The meeting was convened to meet Mr J. W. Collins, Secretary to the Department ot Industries and Commerce, who was introduced to the meeting by the President. Mr Butler stated they wore much beholden to Mr Collins, who had joined the deputation in tiie north, and had visited Nelson, Blenheim, Pielon and Westport, his presence ami remarks adding greatly to the influence of the delegation. Mr Collins acknowledged the cordial welcome extended to him, and road tin- following statement in respect to tlii> object of his visit—the desire lo assist in every way to make a success of the British and Intercolonial Exhibition to be "held here towards the end of the year:—

Gentlemen—T would lik< •to prom iso my remarks this afternoon witli jui expression of appreciation at the receipt of your Executive's invitation to associate myself with it in the visit made to Nelson, Marlborough, Westporl and Greymoutli, and for the opportunity afforded me of exchanging views regarding the assistance that the Government can render your Exhibition. On the Oth April last, your Chairman. Mr Butler, approached the Hon Mr Dowilie Stewart, Minister of Industries and Commerce, with a. view lo gaining an assurance from the Government that it would support the Exhibition by giving assistance and cooperation of Government Departments generally. The success of that interview has, I know, already been reported to you. The Hon Mr Stewart indicated that the Government, would do all that it. could through the Department that 1 represent lo make the exhibition the success that it deserves to he. The Minister was most, favourably impressed with the spirit of selfreliance that actuated your Executive, and particularly noted the worthy obeets tour Exhibition will commemorate, namely the ennmlel ion of Arthur’s Pass Tuune'. and the Diamond Jubilee of the Province d Westland. I have been kept fully informed of the progress made, and in this connection I have to thank your Secretary for the prompt manner in which lie deals with the correspondence from die Department. In what tangible way, you may ask, ■an the Dopnrinent. of Industries and i'onimerre assist von 'i Wo can assist ,'cu most materially. I think, by seeiirng from various Departments of State exhibits which will lie both educational me! interesting. 1 feel sure, if you

de-in.' it, that, the ’Department of Mines. State porosis. Public Works. Education Department. Railways, Tourist and Exiertial Affairs, and my own DeparDneui will be pleased to participate, and in this connection I recommend that particular support should be Poked for so far as your Exhiht ion i- com erned from the Mines and Foroslry Departments, because it is the work of tiie-e two Departments that is probably ho -[ known on the West Coast. 1 1 is to your great mineral and limbo- resources that your prosperity C particularly due. In my view, the mining- industries and latent, mineral resources of the Coast should have special prominence at the Exhibition. The potential wealth that is still held locked up in your mountain ■ and valleys. in your rivers, and in your forests, should lie advertised in stall a nay as In attract the attention of men of capital and of the settler. In your scenic attractions you have an c--el second to none in the Dominion, it ho - !:. ell by privilege to vi.-it the West Coa-t on many occasions. F have been as far South as Jackson's iiav. and lour times over tbl- road In I'rnnz .Josef Cl-icier. one of the most wondertnl and inspiring sights, in my opinion, in the world. With judicious adverli--ing the at l riv-j ions, of this trip alone .should bring lliou-aiids of visitors to t!i(> West Const, and I hope advantage will h ■ taken of t lie "Exhibition to afford every facility to tourists to .-ec the wonderful iake. forest and mountain su'iierv to 1,-' met with on thi mule. Mr I'.i—.c. PoUi.-iiv I'iiieer. will afford von facilities far showing; tile special features of this scenery at your Exhibition by cinema | Imtografills o| special merit, am! lie will make them available to a world wide audience in London at, the Great British Empire "Exhibition to ! e held next year. Me will feature other scenic attractions ol the West Coast that are nearer to your towns and give equal justice to all. irrespective of lucidity. Mr Drew lias also indicated to me lliat the lilms in the possession ot the (loveriiiiieut can lie placed at tile disposal of vour Executive. These deal particularly with the primary and secondary industries ol the Dominion, and with the scenic attractions of the Dominion generally.. The Westland Jubilee pictures of I Dll are also in stock, and probably they can lie made available as well. I lie Mines Department's photographs are the property ot that Department but you i an virtually count on a supply ol these photographs being provided for the Exhibition.

The Hon Mr Downie Stewart has already eommUiiii-ated with the lion .Minister of lie feu co witli respect Lo the Ina nol" the paintings and etchings ol lire late war. in which New Zealanders are particularly interested. I hose are the work oi New Zealand arti-is. I here is little iluuhl that these will be made available lo you on most Invourable terms, but tile Government will require to be satisfied that they will be shown to the best advantage anil that every care will be taken of them.

As to t!u> bringing into cpfrotion ol the provisions of the Exhibitions Act. 19111. ;i draft Order in Council has already hcen prepared, and its terms can he discussed with you. Shortly put it declares your Exhibition to be one within the meaning of the Act, and then removes all restrictions as to the times of ceasing work, (for factory, shop, and ollice employees), and leaves the number of hours per day and pei week standing, to he worked at any time of the day. tTie hall holiday to he movable to any day arranged by the employer. If you are satisfied with the provisions of this notice, steps will he taken to Gazette it at a time convenient to your Executive. The Order is so framed as to lv fair, in my opinion. to both employees and to employers, and to inilict no hardship upon shop-keepers outside the Exhibition. In this connection I express the hope that the shop-keepers of the West Coast will heartily support the Exhibition by promptly taking up space on their own account, and not complain later, if they fail to do this, of the enterprise of out.-idc linns who apply tor space and scoop the trade. 1 would advise your Executive too, to exercise particular care as r i the class of shops allowed in the Exhibition. 'I Ins matter should he fully dismissed ami agreed upon before apoheants ior spai . are dealt v. ith. Those shops, which are catering for the public by way of providing souvenirs for the Exhibition, by supplying refreshments, and adding to the comfort and convenience of visitors should lie encouraged. Consideration should also lie given by the Executive as to whether such shops should merely he charged space fees. ( r should have to pav a percentage on their sales in order to assist your finance. The Department of External Affairs will provide a most interesting exhibit of Island products and crafts. The Department lias already taken steps to secure this exhibit, and is drawing not only upon the Samoan group, but

upon the Friendly Islands as well. This exhibit, will lie forwarded in good time lie- display. The matter as to railway lares and

freights has not yet been taken up with tlie Railway Department, and if your Executive has not taken tlie initiative in this matter, perhaps it can lie discussed to-day. In regard to Maori Arts and Crafts for the main entrance to the Exhibition, the Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs has pratieally promised that a well selected range will be available to

you. The Public Works Department t lias been approached with a view to . their participating in the Exhibition by providing exhibits relating to the Ar- ! iliur’s I’ass Tunnel, parteularly in the form of models. This matter is now under consideration, and I shall advise you from Wellington on my return as ' to what- that Department proposes to do The British Trade Commissioner. Mr Elmslie. is also taking a keen interest in your Exhibition, and is waiting for your publications Indore interesting British importers in the project. It was indicated to me during a recent interview that for a comparatively small show in Hawcra no less than 12i> English firms were making exhibits. Even greater support can he expected for your exhibition, and there can 1 e no doubt about its variety, quality avid attractiveness. The manufacturers of Wellington -,re also taking a live interest in the Exhibition. and at a meeting held, of the .Association, last week, a resolution was passed urging upon manufacturers the advisability of securing space. 'I he Wellington manufacturers are desirous of holding their trade connections with the AYost Coast, and although in the initial stages the new railway may give an advantage to their competitors in Christchurch”, they feel that the charge for the carriage of goods by sea will still enable them to maintain their trade. I therefore urge upon your Executive the necessity of keeping Wellington manufacturers fully informed of all matters relating to the Exhibition, and if possible arrange for a delegation to meet tlie Manufacturers’ Association with a view to their taking a “Wellington” block. During the course of the visit of the Mission to tiie nearby provinces, the question was invariably asked as to the support to be expected from local bodies. In my remarks 1 made it clear that the Government would he prepared to pass this Session, a clause authorising local bodies to expend money out of ordinary revenue for the purpose of participation, but- if the Exeeiilivo would look up Section 12 of “The Exhibit ions Act of 1010” they will see that no special legislation will he necessary, as once the West Coast Exhibition is pros laimed under tlie Act. any local authority may, out of ordinary no line, defray the cost of collecting and preparing exhibits ol tlie products and resources of their district, and of exhibiting same. To , make quite sure on this point, however. I will secure, the advice of tlie Crown Law Office and forward it to 1 von later.

I have to express mv regret that, owing to illness. Mr 11. T. B. Drew. Publicity Officer, i- not with us to-day. lie telegraphed to me that he bail been taken ill. ‘hut was prepared to come down later this week if you deem it <k*sir! jhle. Mr Drew will afford von very considerable assistance, especially in tiie wav of providing Government photographs and films of particular interest and merit, and ho is an expert upon publicity matters, f suggest that !,;. v Hit ho left over for the time l;; j:i,id licit lie lie invited to meet .•no at some later date when our heel eHirer in charge of the Canterbury district will also attend. The services of |pj. hitter officer will lie made availahlc to you as he lias Mail i on-iderahie i xix rieiiee in organising work at the nceut Exliihilion in Christchurch and I feel sure you will find his assistance most valuable.

I may instruct this officer to report fnllv to tlie Government upon the question of ncconimodutiiin"'lhriL «ill he available at the opening and (luring the course of Hie Exliihilion. the rates to bo charged to visitors and I lie class of at-i ommodat inn provided, lie will iib-o be prepared to advise you upon tin* issue and broad-easting ol inlormation containing complete pari ietilars of tours to tlie Exhibition and to all parts of the West Coast. I strongly recommend that you make a special h-n----luro of advertising tours from tiie chief cent res. showing exactly what tlie cost, will ho for a holiday on Die Coast, lor say a week or ten days, fourteen days, imxJ incliulo, firstly, tlio Uaro cost of travelling, accommodation and admission to the Exhibition, and add (he supplementary information as to the cost of trips lo various scenic resorts, sucli as Lake Kanieri. Lake Mahiiinpua, to Franz Joseph (■lacier, and then take in visits which may be extended to (iT-eyinonth, to the side trips to scenic resorts there, to AA estpnrt and its surrounding attractions, and the round trip through the Duller Gorge to Nelson, Blenheim and I’iclon, and back to Christ church via the Kaikoura route. Anyone contemplating a holiday will then be in a position to know jn.-t wind money will lie required, and those able to afford Die lime and the money may make extended tours emln aeing the whole ol tlie AA est Coast. If this course is adopted, the hookings will lie undertaken I believe, by the Tourist Department throughout New Zealand, and inclusive coupons can bo issued for tours covering railwav and motor fares, accommodation anil admission to the Exhibition.

Another point on which on)’ Canterbury Officer {-an assist yon will lie to advise, in coii,ium:tion with yonr Secretary. a simple lint effective system of book-keeping in eonneciion with Exhihition affairs. Tile inauguration of such a system will enable you to watch the revenue and expenditure from day to dav. and yon will see exactly the net .revenue derived from admission, front side shows, from stall holders, from entertainments, etc. Now that the Manufacturers' Associations of Otago. Canterbury and Wellington have decided to support your Kxhihition. and Auckland. T believe, will also participate, you need have little worry as to the success of tie' Exhibition from the space stand-point. The Very generous assistance you may also expect as a result of your delegation to your sister provinces, combined with the co-operation of British importers. should make the Exhibition one of the most, successful and attractive ever held in Now ZonlniKl, but I want to say emphatically that- the whole of the financial success of yonr Exbibtion depends on systematic advertising. essentially entering upon Canterbnrv. Otago and Wellington, which provinces will. I believe, provide you villi the hulk of your visitors. This advertising should become more extensive as The date of the opening of the Exhibition apnronelies. and your call for all West Coasters to come home should be supplemented by a call to all New Zealand to make Hokitika its common holiday ground during December and .lanuary next.

Tn conclusion f wish to express, on behalf of the Honorable N!r Dov. ni - ■Stewart. Minister of Industries and Commerce, his hearty congratulations to this Executive r.n its enterprise, ami upon if-’ splendid achievement m the vn-ef providing adequate financial guarantees in so short a time.. and on the excellent manlier in which H i? «*“ trailisir.g the work ot the Exlub.tion generally. You have his assurance. That so far as my Department is concerned. it is prepared to give you evei> possible assistance in contributing inwards the success of your Exhibition. The members of the Council appreciated verv cordially the address by Mr ColliuT. and Mr Wild asked that it be published for general information and widely circulated. Several matters arising out of the address were discussed. It was lesolved to “sk that included in the

local authorities coining under the indemnity of the Exhibition Act. Harbor and Electric Power Boards be included, as also Die Hokitika Savings Rank.

It was decided to suggest that -Afr Drew visit Hokitika on the 2titli insl., so that he could he present tiie following day at Die Kokatahi AA’inter Show, and it was suggested a proving picture be taken of the Show and of those present. The question ot railway freights and fares was mentioned, and referred to Mr Butler to interview the Department at AA’cllington next month. It was stated that free railage would be granted oil all goods carried over the railways, to and from the Exhibition. Other matters were left to Mr Butler to wait on the Government Departments when in Wellington next month. Mr Collins stressed Die aeeomuiodation question and hoped the fullest picparation would lie made for visitors. Various details in regard to tin’s matter, as also in respect to tours and inclusive fares were discussed, and much useful information was acquired hv the Council. A very hearty vote of thanks was passed to .Air Collins for his presence, his support in the northern tour, and the instructive address and subsequent information supplied that after-

noon. A cordial vote of thanks was pastel also to .Air AV. 11. Parfitt, Mayor o f Greymoutli. for his help in the northern tour and the ready manner in vhieli lie laid co-operated with ihe ether members of tlie delegation. Tiie meeting concluded at .‘bln p.:n.