WELLINGTON EXHIBITION

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10247, 25 May 1911, Page 7

WELLINGTON EXHIBITION

THE OPENING UEREMONY

(By Telegraph— Association.) j WELLINGTON, May 24. | Tho Industrial Exhibition, promoted J by tho Wellington Industrial Associa- j tion, was opened this afternoon, in l>eautiful weather, and in the presence • of a large number of people. ,' The display is being held in the two 'Harbour 'Beard's brick stores, which contains a very complete collection of produce and the principal industries of the country. The object of the Association is to foster a spirit of self-reliance to make j New Zealand as self-contained as dob- j sible., . i Some of the leading firms and manu- | facturing houses throughout the eoun- ; try have made striking displays. A j huge space on the' top floor of one I building has been set aside as a stadium for athletic games. The first sports meeting will be held to-night, and boxing and other tourneys will be arranged for later dates. Mr Ballinger, president, in opening his address, said it was the largest Industrial Exhibition yet held in the Dominion. Manufacturers from all parts of New Zealand were exhibiting, and practically every industry of ai\y importance was represented. New Zealand was one of the finest countries in the world, and one of the most richly endowed in mineral j wealth, yet she could not claim to be anything like self-supptorting. Importations occupied by far too great i part in New Zealand's trade. There was something wrong with a young country like this when a falling away in industrial life was shown. Last I year the increase in the number of j factories was only 262, whereas for the preceding nine years the average increase in factories was 622. He hoped the legislators visiting the Exhibition would realise the necessity and also the great importance of doing all in their power to promote, foster and encourage productive industries. As tho Association preached self-reliance, it also practised it. No Governmentsubsidy had been asked for, the undertaking being entirely guaranteed by local citizens. Speeches; arc also to bo delivered by the Hon. Mr Carroll and the Mayor of Wellington. The Exhibition will be open for ten weeks.