MELBOURNE EXHIBITION.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 204, 30 August 1888, Page 5

MELBOURNE EXHIBITION.

A NEW ZEALANDER'S OPINION

°*ik IT'

Mb J. B. Hakcoubt, a well-known Wellington business manVand'an honorary com", missioner, has been interviewed by a repre" sentative of the Melbourne " Herald," and* being so well-known in commercial circles a few extracts will be of interest. Of the Exhibition Mr Harcourt says:— "From what I have seen I certainly think the display an excellent one. No previous colonial exhibition can be mentioned in the same breath with this; and that of 1880, good as it undoubtedly was, was an infant compared to this. From whab I. can remember, this, Exhibition Beems to me to be quite equal, if not - superior to the French one. There are' more natural products shown here, and therefore the display is a better and more striking one. The German court has an excellent collection indeed, and as a court of manufactures is perhaps the most attractive court. The New South Wales, for instance, has many side shoAvs which will no doubt make it popular as a place of resort, but Germany's attractiveness is of a more solid nature. Victoria, too, has a grand show. The colonial courts compare very -well indeed with those of older countries. Taking unto .account their junior position, thejy undoubtedly hold their Own, and in tbeirown peculiar manufactures they are quite able to compete with the older countries. In woollens; New Zealand cannofc be beaten anywhere', as an inspection of this exhibit wiir prove"—pointing to the Mosgiel Woollen Company's trophy. Asked to express an opinion, based on observation, as to 3 whether the prosperity is likely to be permanent, . Mr Harcourt said : " Well, as a vifeitor to these shores, I hardly like giving publicity to an opinion on the subject; but if yoa press ifci I may say that I think the

time must come—although I hope it is far distant—when there will be a turn. There is so much speculation in property—so many buying to sell—and this nas gone on* to such an extent that it cannot go much higher. The top price must at some time be realised, and then the last to hold must suffer." :' ; :.:';' .; v - \ . ■

Now, a word or two as to your own colony, Mr Harcourt, which iB understood to be very much depressed at present. In the first place, do you think New Zealand's display a fairly representative one ? "I cannot exactly say that I do. It is undoubtedly a good one, so far as it goes; but it might have been much better. The Government could not afford to vote much money for the purpose, and moreover the people seemed disinclined to exhibit. The colony does not show to*the best advantage in consequence. It could show much better than it does in comparison with the other colonies."

Do you think there is any immediate possibility of the colony recovering its position? "I feel confident that it will. It-has touched bottom now, and there mußt soon be a change for the better. With its vast mineral and agricultural resourcesand other natural advantages New Zealand cannot long remain in a state of depression.' The colony will, I think, reap some advantage from the large amount of outside capital coming .into Melbourne. There will be an overflow, and some must go to New Zealand, where there is a grand field for investment." >

A protective tariff has lately been in* troduced, I believe'? "Well, modified protection only, bufi I do not think it will have the good effect protectionists imagine. It will not, so far an I can see, benefit those at present in the colony, but may lead to the introduction of certain, classes of artisans and others. I think it|fc mistake, but the taxation must be made somewhat heavy for revenue purposes, and it has been made to assume a semi-protective form."

Then you think there is a good time coming for New Zealand ? ' "Yes. The present Government are doing all they can by a system of economy to make the people face the situation, and the colony is bound to pick up. It is only a matter of time. By the way, you Melbourne people are of such a speculative tendency, it's a wonder someone doesn't float a company to extract the silver lining from the dark cloud hanging over Ne"w Zealand I It would pay as well as some companies which have boomed here." Do you think a syndicate could be formed to take it up? - "Oh,Xhave no doubt it could,"is the reply, and with a laugh at the little joke at the expense of the "boomers," the interview closes, and Mr Harcourt resumes his inspection of the attractions of the New Zealand court.