Commemorative & Historical Medals 1936-2017

Lot 469    eSale    Commemorative & Historical Medals 1936-2017

Estimate $700
Bid at live.noble.com.au

N.Z. CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION, 1939-40, pass in gold (9ct, 12.2g, 32x30mm) and blue enamel, no maker, ring top suspension, reverse 'To/Hon.D.G.Sullivan./From/T.C.A.Hislop C.M.G./Chairman/Charles Todd Esq/Deputy Chairman' (M.-). Extremely fine.

Unlisted in Morel.

(Courtesy Gavin McLeod and Victoria University of Wellington):-

Wellington had not hosted a major industrial exhibition since 1895 and, in 1930, the mayor, Sir George Troup, began a campaign for the city to hold a centennial exhibition. The depression intervened but his successor, Thomas Hislop, revived the idea and led a deputation to Rt Hon M.J. Savage in January 1936 to ask the government's support. The Prime Minister's discussion with the deputation focused his attention on the centennial and in May the government made a policy statement that included its willingness to give financial support for a centennial exhibition. This would take the form of a grant of up to ?50,000 (initially on the basis of one pound for every two pounds' worth of shares sold) and a loan of ?25,000. This would be nearly one third of the ?250,000 of the government's budget for the centennial celebrations.

The Centennial Exhibition fell short of Dunedin's in that it could not claim the coveted 'international' status. Before 1928 no rules had governed the running of international exhibitions. As these events grew in frequency, cost and political significance the need for minimum standards and sensible scheduling arrangements became obvious. In November 1928, therefore, many nations signed a convention on the use of the term 'international' for exhibitions. Signatories could not attend 'international' exhibitions not endorsed by the Paris secretariat. New Zealand was not a signatory, but Australia, Canada and Britain were, so the New Zealand High Commissioner urged caution in August 1937 when the Wellington company directors began talking about their exhibition as 'international'. The word 'empire' was acceptable, but J.W.Heenan, undersecretary of the Department of Internal Affairs, preferred the title the 'New Zealand Centennial Exhibition'. The New Zealand High Commissioner to London helped to secure the King's consent to act as Patron (the Prime Minister served as Vice-Patron and the Minister of Industries & Commerce as Honorary President).

Daniel Giles "Dan" Sullivan (18 July 1882 - 8 April 1947) was a New Zealand Member of Parliament, Cabinet Minister and Mayor of Christchurch.

Sullivan was a significant Cabinet Minister in the First Labour Government of New Zealand: the Minister of Industries and Commerce between 1935-47, Minister of Railways from 1935 to 1941 and the high-profile wartime Minister of Supply and Munitions. He was also Acting Prime Minister from April to July 1944. In his capacity as Minister of Industries and Commerce he was Honorary President of the 1940 Centennial Exhibition.

Ex Leon G.Morel Collection, a private purchase in February 2006.