The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the CMA’s 3rd Exhibition of Chinese Products offered a general view of the venue and overview of the various manufacturers’ products on show. Other items displayed included legal tender as issued by the Bank of China, Bank of Communications, People’s Bank of China and Agricultural and Industrial Bank of China.
The Secretary for Chinese Affairs Roland North and his family visited the 3rd Exhibition of Chinese Products. During the event, CMA Secretary-General cum Exhibition Secretary Han Sui Xuan gave a speech titled ‘The Meaning and Content of the 3rd Exhibition of Chinese Products’ which received coverage in leading local newspapers.
Sir Robert Kotewall officiated at the opening ceremony of the 3rd Exhibition of Chinese Products. The event was also attended by the Governor who congratulated everyone associated with the annual exhibition on their contribution to the growth of Hong Kong’s industries.
The CMA held a meeting and reported on matters regarding the Exhibition of Chinese Products as follows: (1) Approved the construction of huts; (2) Approved the issuance of 50,000 copies of a special event supplement; (3) Agreed to specially set up Chinese product factories at the venue and show sound advertising films inserted with kaishu scripts for entertainment purposes.
Both member companies of the CMA and other Chinese products manufacturers could rent booths at the forthcoming event. The 3rd Exhibition of Chinese Products is scheduled to take place from 5th to 12th February 1940 on the Crown Land opposite Happy Valley racecourse. In addition to a recreation area, a cafeteria and an office, the venue will boost 200 booths for exhibiting manufacturers.
The 3rd Exhibition of Chinese Products has issued a prospectus, the content of which included: (1) Name, (2) Purpose, (3) Organisation, (4) Office-bearers, (5) Solicitation Method, (6) Selling Method, (7) Funding, (8) Exhibition Date and (9) Venue.
The CMA-organised 3rd Exhibition of Chinese Products is scheduled to be held at Morrison Hill Road during Chinese New Year and featured a total of some 180 booths. At present, over 150 manufacturers have agreed to participate. Among them are manufacturers of rubber products, glass, fabrics, socks, towels, batteries, flashlights and tanneries. Local newspapers have published a full list of exhibitors. For this year’s event, a 10-cent per person entrance fee will be charged, but will be limited to adult male visitors only. Those who have bought admission tickets can redeem their 10-cent cost in Chinese products of equivalent value.
The CMA-organised 3rd Exhibition of Chinese Products will take place from 5th to 12th February 1940 at the open space near the junction of Wan Chai Gap Road. At present, more than 150 manufacturers have registered to participate. Only manufacturers who have sourced the raw materials used in their products from Mainland China, Europe or the United States will be eligible to display their goods. Other manufacturers not based in Hong Kong but who submit products for inclusion will be limited to those approved by the Economic Affairs Department.
Sir Robert Kotewall officiated at the opening of the 3rd Exhibition of Chinese Products. Visitors who took the tram or No. 1 or No. 5 bus to the Happy Valley venue discovered a wide variety of goods to buy. This year’s exhibition charged a 10-cent entrance fee for male visitors while women and children were admitted free of charge.
The 3rd Exhibition of Chinese Products got underway with a welcome speech from Chairman Yip Lan Chung at an 11:00 am ceremony followed by Sir Robert Kotewall’s official cutting of the opening ribbon. At noon, the Governor and various government officials arrived at the venue. Both Yip Lan Chung’s and Sir Robert Kotewall’s speeches appeared in the event’s special newspaper supplement.
Key visitors to the 3rd Exhibition of Chinese Products included Sir Robert Ho Tung. The exhibition held a Charity Bazaar on its last day, setting aside admission and entertainment income generated for the Spring Festival Gratuity Fund. Newspapers used ‘Intrigue’ to describe manufacturers’ marketing practices and listed out all manufacturers who participated in the Bazaar.
Attended by many leading local socialites and celebrities, the 3rd Exhibition of Chinese Products ended with a closing day Charity Bazaar. In all, around half of the last day’s income from exhibitors was donated to the Army Consolation Fund. At the closing ceremony, CMA Chairman Yip Lan Chung gave a thank-you speech, the full script of which was published in leading local newspapers.
The 3rd Exhibition of Chinese Products held a closing day Charity Bazaar which attracted the full participation by all exhibitors. Admission and entertainment income to the value of HK$2,513.59 was raised and will be used to both entertain soldiers and added to British Wartime Consolation fees. The proceeds from the various booths involved in the Charity Bazaar were also published in leading local newspapers.
The 3rd Exhibition of Chinese Products held a closing day Charity Bazaar which raised admission and entertainment income worth some HK$2,517.95 for various worthy causes. Apart from the donations submitted to Lady Northcote for transfer to the British Wartime Consolation Society, moneys raised were also remitted to Chongqing’s Madame Chiang, Guilin’s Deputy Director Bai and Shaoguan’s Chairman Lee for Soldier Consolation and Calamity Relief.
