British Association Visit to the Colonies.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 241, 13 October 1886, Page 3

British Association Visit to the Colonies.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Tho action taken by the Now South Wales Legisluturo in caticollinir (or,to word it moro diplomatically, " holding in abeyance") tho invitation which bad been extended to, and accepted by, tho British Association, gave a fitting sequol to the scandalous procedttro and riotous scenes ivhich havo disgraced that Assembly and brought Parliamentary Government into contempt. That such a body could for a moment properly appreciate tho v.i've of education and scientific research as promoted and represented by tho British Association would bo a parody on common senso and logical deduction, Tho deadlock which has ensued between th? Association and tho New South Wales Government with regard to their visit affords a grand opportunity for Now Zealand to establish her fame and prove to the world that we aro a nation possessing a country with great natural resources ; that thero aro amongst us statosmon worthy of tho responsibilities of their position, men who believo in tho future ef their country, and uro Dot ashamed of their adopted land—men who are inspired with a pattiotic resolve to lose no opportunity to promote the interests and material prosperity of this fair Island of the South. May I ask those in power who aro actuated only by lofty and honourable motives (it such there be) whether it would not bo expedient and judicious to cable Homo to Sir Dillon 8011, authorising him at ones to invite (on behalf of New Zealand) the British Association to make our colony their meeting place in ISSS. True, thore may b3 some of little soul who would croak and bemoan the cost. To such, however, might bo said that tho investment is a good one, and would repay tho colony directly and indirectly a hundredfold, Our direct benefit would bo derived from the personal exp.r.dituro of tho members of tho Association, many of whom aro wo.lthy, aa well a? the meneye distributed throughout iho country by tho hundieds of visitors who i.tvariai ly attend these gath rn^s, from Europe, and the sister colonies. The indirect advantages attainable from so important a visitation aro numerous and mar.ifold. English capital, finding new outlets f;r profitable iuve-tmont, would give an impetus to local industry. Confidence in our commercial stability and resources would bo re-established at- Home, Froudo's melancholy lucubrations an! prognostications with reference to our financial position and prospects would ho effectually silenced, and England would hear from tho lips of tho most eminont of her children ihat Now Zealand, "though victimised in the past by misgovernmont and weighted with financial depression," is a country of boundless resources and worthily ontitled to bo called The Britain of the South. —I rem.in, yours faithfully, Fi. G. LEGER Ersox, Olahuhu.