THE TINPOT ZIBISHUN.

NZ Truth, Issue 90, 9 March 1907, Page 8

THE TINPOT ZIBISHUN.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,— lsn't it about time for you to expose some of the dirty tricks m connection with the so-called International Exhibition ? The name itself is a fraud, as only a small portion of our own Empire is represented, and all foreign countries are conspicuous by their absence.

How is it that the Government can break the laws they have made, and for, the breaking of which private individuals 'have been prosecuted vand punished ? It is illegal for a theatrical manager to ofter a prize (say a bicycle) to the holder of a certain ticket, and they have been summoned and fined for carrying on a lottery for so doing. I ask. if it is. not. adownright scandal-, for- the /(government to do the very vsan^d thing as they recently did, -through* their competent mis-Manager, m- announcing that- the millioneth ■■■ person entering the exhibition would be presented with a gold watch ami a medal.

it is also illegal for anyone to make a charge to entertainments or sacred concerts on 'Sunday's, but they can make a collection and take whatever is given them. I again ask if it is not a. downright scandal that after the . announcement ,of a ' sub-scription-sacred concert m the Exhibition grounds on Sunday, March 3, a demand. of Is was \ made/ at the entrance, ,. and - hundreds who , came with sixpences were- denied .admission. '. :■■•'. ..- ■■ - ; >-••• ■- '■ : ' ../.;••• '■■•• .

On another occasion a- grand:: display of fireworks', at which /a -special feature /was' , to ,be .the\asceiit of monster ballpns, -were advertised and not a single balloon was; forthcoming. Then, there -was -the,' swindling baby show, when. scores of; the/babies entered were never 'judged^ at all. Yet again, the ■■.splendid.,' display .of daylight fireworks as '<■ another catchpenny.-. . ■ , ' ■'■.'■ ' International Exhibition, • indeed ! What Is it but a' pleasure. fair, added to 'which- are a few Cheap jack and Assyrian jewellery stalls, and a few other catch-penny, items ? As to the number of persons visiting the show. I presume it is. generally known that comparatively few, pay for admission, the great majority being exhibitors, ''officials, attendants, bandsmen, workmen, etc., etc., who are m and out' all day long, and who are registered at the turnstile everytime as visitors— l am, &c, ' ,

TINPOT SHOW