CO129-544-13 British Empire Fair- reports- etc. 10-8-1933 - 8-11-1933 — Page 14

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Question 3 (c).

British Empire Fair or General Fair?

The voting on this point is: 12 for an Empire

Fair: 9 for a General Fair.

Question 4. Inviting Comments:

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Charge for Admission. Practically every firm urges that in future there should be a charge for admission; two say that even if there is no charge, admission should be regulated. "The crowd of coolies prevented people really interested from approaching our stand," is a typical comment.

is a typical comment. A Chinese firm writes, "The Fair has not benefited our business in any way, but perhaps the next one will do so if the wrong people are kept away, leaving room for the truly interested to move and breathe".

The necessity of regulating the attendance of children is also referred to by several.

Charge for Space.

A large majority of the writers is also in favour of a charge to Exhibitors for space, in preference to free space and an appeal for donations.

Organising Arrangements. Several firms suggest that the Fair be run in future by a paid staff: only two firms say they think it can be run permanently by "willing volunteers" The following suggestion is made: "Applicants for space should meet and appoint representatives on the Committee".

Lay-Out. -

Several firms stress the necessity of enclosing the Exhibition in a single area, to facilitate regulation of the crowd. Several also urge that there should be more space between stands. Two firms say late applications for space should be refused; one says, "Late alterations spoilt our exhibit ".

I have received no reports from Dominions and Commonwealth Exhibitors, beyond one verbal message from an Australian Exhibitor to the effect that, having stocks in Hong Kong of the articles exhibited, he has been able to do a useful business since May in provisions and canned goods.

Yours faithfully,

sd. M.F. KEY.

Hon. Secretary.