CENTENNIAL ROLL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 April 1940, Page 2

CENTENNIAL ROLL

REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURES. HISTORIC EXHIBITION DOCUMENT The National Centennial Roll at the Centennial Exhibition has taken on the proportions of a representation of New Zealand. It is in a novel form. Never before have the people of the Dominion had an opportunity to take part in forming an historical document by registering their signatures. Young and old from all parts of New Zealand have recorded the fact of their visit to the Exhibition and many thousands have obtained the only official souvenir of their visit, the beautifully designed and executed certificate of attendance that is issued to each signatory. Small children, their hands guided by their parents, have written in faltering letters in the pages of this massive book and, at the other end of the scale, are the equally faltering characters written by the very old people who have signed. From childish printed names to the spidery scrawl of old men and women the signatures in the National Centennial Roll testify to the widespread interest in the Centennial in New Zealand.

Young children who have signed will be able to inspect their signatures many years hence with interest and pride for they will be a part of the only record of the participation of New Zealanders in the Dominion's greatest celebrations. Older people who sign the roll record for all time their part in the celebrations. The signatures include those of the highest officials and dignitaries in the Dominion alongside those of everyman and eVerywoman. Each visitor to the Exhibition has the right and opportunity to inscribe his name on a roll that will live lor all time. The collection of signatories will make one cf the most original and interesting documents in the world.