THE BRITISH EMPIRE

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20284, 28 August 1937, Page 19 (Supplement)

THE BRITISH EMPIRE

AT THE PARIS EXHIBITION. GREAT INTEREST SHOWN (Special to Times). PARIS, July 21. Besides the Pavilion of Great Britain the British Empire is represented at the Paris International. Exhibition by the pavilions of Canada, Australia and South Africa. The practical character of the British nations is exemplified in each case by the business-like appearance of the pavilions. Each seems to express something severely practical. Art has its part in each exhibit but it is an art closely allied to the useful. The British Empire pavilions also reflect the pride of the colonists in the lands they have developed. Each seems to want to say to the spectator, “We show you ’what we can manufacture, but look at the magnificent surroundings in which we live.” Cylinders set side by side form the principal motif of the pavilion of Canada. At the corner of the square building is a large statue of a bison with head lowered. Over the doorway a mural painting depicts a reaper driving his team through a sea of golden wheat rising to the horses' withers. Inside are specimens of the produce of Canada, but here again the greatest importance Is given to a number of very fine dioramas. Skilfully built up they give the visitor the Impression that he Is looking out over the great prairies or at the busy cities of Canada. South Africa, too. Is anxious to show the visitor views of Its beauty spots. A number of dioramas, of Table Bay and Cape Town, of The Victoria Falls, of Johannesburg, and Rhodesia, the veldt and mountains will tempt many visitors to become acquainted with South Africa.

The Australian Building. The Australian building, of simple exterior aspect, is completely circular inside. On the walls to right, and left of a wide entrance are a series of very large and very beautiful photographs. They are art studies and show Sydney, an aboriginal, cattle, horses, eucalyptus trees, the University of Perth* The part of the wall opposite the entrance Is covered with paintings by Australian artists, nearly all of them scenes of the southern continent. Around a circular column j.n the middle of the building is an invitation V> visit Australia next year for the l'SOth anniversary of the founding of Sydney. In all these exhibits there Is an Impression of countries of orderliness, and progress, and French visitors to the pavilions express admiration at the very high degree of art in Great Britain beyond the seas.