The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, APRIL 7th, 1924. THE BRITISH EMPIRE EXHUBTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 April 1924, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, APRIL 7th, 1924. THE BRITISH EMPIRE EXHUBTION.

In a little more than ii fortnight if •Strikes and other impediments permit the project of so much significance to the commercial, industrial, and social "eltare of the British peoples, the British Empire Exhibition, will have become an actual event, and will take its place as one of the most important factors making for Imperial unity and development. Opinions formed from a personal visit to Wemhlev, says a London paper of recent date, will, of

course, constitute the most effective testimony to the greatness of hi in pi re as represented in th© numerous i'eatu e> of the exhibition ; but some small indication of the magnitude and magnificence ot this remarkable event is already to lie gained by the perusal of an interesting handbook of general information issued by the exhibition authorities. Wembley will emphasise our racial achievements up-to-date, and wili convoy to the visitor not only a wider and more definite idea of what our people have accomplished in the past, but a clearer knowledge of what it will he possible for ns to achieve in the future. Within the British Commonwealth of Nations there now exist all the potentialities of manufacture and trade, and wo need only inter-Empire co-operation to knit together the various powerful communities of consumers and producers within the realm into one great patriotic fabric. The size of the exhibition may bo imagined from the fact that the frontage of the two buildings which will house the- industrial exhibits of the United Kingdom alone could extend from Charing Crsos Bailway Bridge to Westminster Bridge, and those erected by the Dominions. India, and the Colonies are on a similar magnificent scale. All the principal buildings are to be of concrete and steel, so that Wembley Park will, in the future, provide ah ideal site for commercial and industrial exhibitions that have hitherto been cramped for room. As mentioned above, the comprehensive display by British industry will he housed within two of the finest and largest buildings ever erected far th? purpose f-f «

self-contained exhibition, the Palace of Industry, and the Palace of Engineering, the former of which is probably the largest concrete building in the world. It is at tile northern entrance to the Palace of Industry that the branch office of the London Chamber of Commerce will be situated, and accommodation will be provided for visitors who desire to make tho office a rendezvous for business or other appointments. Tile enthusiastic manner in which the Governments of the Dominions, Colonies, and' Dependencies have co-oper-ated in the exhibition has gone to show that while their extensive exhibits indicate strong individuality and determination, yet the political and economic bonds among the component' parts of the Empire are being strengthened, and each State is now a factor to be reckoned with in estimating its future. The Canadian, South African, Indian, and Australian pavilions are of unusual dimensions, tho last-named being as large as the whole, of Olympia, while the representations of other parts of the Empire will be fully worthy of their place in the exhibition. Among some of tho most noteworthy features of English industry to he seen is the actual operation of a full-sized colliery, complete with massive headgear, pit

ponies, underground stables, waslieries. etc., and an electric winding engine which will he able to lower into the workings 2,000 people an hour. Another important phase of Imperial achievements will he the Palace of Arts, housing a notable collection of pictures and sculpture. The Empire Stadium, in which an elaborate programme of events will take place; the pleasure park, where the public will he able to participate in all the most exhilarating aml up-to-date forms of amusement; landscape gardens and lakes, a very pleasant and refreshing feature; and special transpoit and catering arrangements are other factors which will contribute much to tile success of which the exhibition is so deserving. A series of conferences on subjects of Imperial and national importance will also he held between April and October in the four conference balls, which are now nearing completion.