CENTENNIAL OUTLOOK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 September 1939, Page 8

CENTENNIAL OUTLOOK

9 HON. W. E. PARRY’S COMMENT LOCAL CELEBRATIONS. - NEED FOR CO-OPERATION. “In some districts the preparations for worthy Centennial celebrations are well advanced, because the leading members of committees and their associates have been properly impressed by the time factor,” states the Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, in “New Zealand Centennial News.” "In some other localities progress has not been remarkable but there is pleasant evidence that the need for activity has been recognised, and it is anticipated that within the next few months the results will be creditable. “It is necessary to give a reminder that .all programmes for celebrations should be fixed as soon as possible on 1 a basis which will avoid clashing of dates. It is very important to 'have the official national programme available within a reasonable period for prospective tourists in other countries as well as for the people within the Dominion. Many New Zealanders, in planning their summer holidays, will wish to see historic pageantry in various places in addition to the great Centennial Exhibition at Wellington. That kind of travel will certainly be very beneficial in increasing the people’s knowledge of their own country from various viewpoints. After all, the principal value of the widespread Centennial celebrations will be in giving New Zealanders a stronger “sense of country.” » “I wish again to assure the members of local organisations that the Centennial Branch of the Department of Internal Affairs is eager to offer any assistance within its power. Executive members of those bodies are earnestly advised to keep in touch with Centennial headquarters at Wellington to ensure a helpful co-ordination of activities. . “The Centennial calls for a generous measure of public-spiritedness in all districts. Whole-hearted team-work is needed everywhere to make the celebrations worthy of the national purpose. In every place the Centennial issue is a test of the local ptiblic. A locality failing to respond adequately to the Centennial call confesses automatically that there is something lacking in its appreciation of the pioneers’ stalwart work.”