EMPIRE FAIR

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1933, Page 2

EMPIRE FAIR

AT HONG. KONG. N.Z. DISPLAY TO BE MADE. •.WELLINGTON, March 6M Complete .arrangements have been made for New Zealand producers and .manufacturers to be represented at the Empire Fair in Hong Kong next May, according to a. statement to-night issued by the Minister of . Industries and Commerce, the Hon. R. Masters. The honorary representative of • the department at Hong Kong, Mr S. T. Williamson, is a. member of the executive set up to organise the fair. I The fair, which will last for four days, will open on Empire Day, Wednesday, May 24, and will close on the following Saturday. The total space which has been made available in the main building to Canada, Australia, and New Zealand amounts to about 3600 squrjre feet, and of this approximately 1200 square feet has been allotted to New Zealand without cost. The Minister stated that following the receipt of cabled advice from Mr WiillHamson /that . space .had been allotted to New Zealand, he had communicated with the principal chambers of commerce, with manufacturers’ associations, and with various firms' throughout the Dominion with a view to interesting them in the fair. As a result, a number of firms find signified their willingness to take part, and rev era 1 ■. metre: had the matter under consideration at the present time. The fair lent itself [Dartiiciul’jnrly to the display of Empire foods, and it was anticipated that with the support already promised, a comprehensive exhibit of New Zealand food and other products'likely to find a market in Hong Kong would be staged. FREIGHT RATES HALVED.

The -Department of Industries and Commerce, has arranged with the Union Steam Ship Company for bona fide, exhibits to be carried at half rates between New Zealand and Australian ports. In addition the Australian and Oriental line, which'runs a monthly .service from Melbourne', Sydney,' and Brisbane to Hong. Kong, has i also - agreed to carry the exhibits for display at the' fair at half the ordinary rates, ... '-'lt is probable that, all, the exhibits from New Zealand will, go forward by the ! Australian and Oriental steamer Taipung, which is .scheduled to leave. Sydney on April 19 and, is due to arrive at Hong Kong on May 9. The connecting intercolonial steamers from Wellington will be the Maknrn on April .4 and . the Wangnnella on April 14, and from Auckland the Monowai on April 7.'‘ ' Ail exhibits sent from New Zealand wiii have the personal attention of Mf, .Williamson. . They may' he consigned'to Ills firm, Williamson"ahd 'Co., p,O. Building, Hong Kong, which will be prepared to take delivery of the good?! and arrange, for their transfer to the fair, for their display to the best: advantage, and for their sale if required after the fair is over. “The fair appears to offer an excellent'. opportunity for', the' display of New Zealand products in the East,” added Mr'Master's. ' “A somewhat similar .fair, was held last .year, and it ip understood that it met with, much success and was • visited .by a. large number of people. This year’s, function promises to be even more. successful than last- year’s. The : Minister 'stated in conclusion that at the forthcoming fair, the- Dominion would receive additional publicity through the showing of .a number of sound films depicting New Zealand ; industrial life and -scenic resorts.