AUCKLAND BUSINESS MEN CHALLENGED

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 95, 13 July 1927, Page 9

AUCKLAND BUSINESS MEN CHALLENGED

NATIONAL FESTIVAL I ORGANISER REPLIES TO HIS CRITICS | “M AKE a community enterprise of the National Festival now!” said Mr. Albert Goldie to-day, in reply to the criticism that the festival which he is organising should be run by Auckland citizens. •If the businessmen have realised what the festival will mean to Auckland. and are willing to act as guarantors.” continued Mr. Goldie, ‘ then they may take the arrangements out cf my hands, provided they reirubuise me for the expense and the work which I have already put in. I would be agreeably surprised to find that the businessmen of Auckland had so much community spirit.” DISCOURAGED IN CITY Mr. Goldie said that he had studied the festival as a community enterprise, and he had offered his services as organiser. After interviews with prominent businessmen, who would give the idea no support, he was discouraged, and he decided to act on his own and make private arrangements. “There is a vital principle underlying this effort,” said Mr. Goldie. *'lt is a test of whether New Zealand people can get together and do things with the vim and spirit shown in the United States and Canada. The same principle applies not only to festivals, but to every activity, especially industrial.. If New Zealanders can pull together, there is nothing but prosperity before them. PERSONAL RISK “Lack of community enterprise killed the idea of a community festival. Now. because I organise one myself, they criticise me. They forget the good it will do the city, and they forget the grave risk which lam taking. I would welcome the community enterprise, and be willing to carry on with a salary.” ARRANGEMENTS PROGRESSING Since Saturday Mr. Goldie has enrolled 300 people, men and women and children, who are willing to help in the festival. Arrangements for the grand ball in the Town Hall on July 28 were well ahead, he said, and there was a good demand for tickets, which were limited to 500. The ball would be on the lines of a Continental cabaret, with ballets and pageants. The charities which would benefit by the festival had not been decided upon yet. The Mayor had been asked to suggest how the beneficiaries might be chosen.