The Press. THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1889.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7252, 7 March 1889, Page 4

The Press. THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1889.

Arrangements in connection with the New Zealand Exhibition to be held in Dunedin towards the close of this year are progressing in a satisfactory manner. Mr. Twopeny, during his recent viait to Australia, has been indefatigable in his efforts to bring the scheme before the Australian Governments and English exhibitors, and he has succeeded even beyond his expectations. As he explained at yesterday's meeting, what seemed to him to be possibilities when spoke here last, might now be regarded as certainties. Victoria has determined to be well represented at the Exhibition, and South Australia, although declining to be officially represented, is, we are pleased to learn, likely to have a considerable number of exhibits. New South Wales may at the last also determine to follow the example of its neighbors and make a respectable appearance. The same may be said of the British exhibitors. Mr. Twopeny has reason for believing that the exhibits of British manufactures will be an excellent one, probably more than twico as large as the British Court of the Christchurch International Exhibition of 1882, which was, it will be remembered, the main feature of that Exhibition. All this, we say, is highly gratifying, and Mr. Twopeny is entitled to the utmost credit for the exertions which he made during his Australian visit to place the scheme in its true light before the Australian public. It is not our purpose, however, in this article to discuss the Tarioue proposed features of the Exhibition as set forth in Mr. Twopeny's report published in our columns a few days ago, but rather to confine our remarks to a few points of practical concern to ourselves.' As we have said on former occasions, when discussing the subject, the most satisfactory feature of the proposal is that it is of the nature of a private enterprise. It has not been promoted by the Government of the colony, but by private citizens. The people of Otago have come liberally forward, and guaranteed the principal part of the cost of the undertaking. But although in this sense a private affair it is in reality a national concern. It has now assumed colonial proportions, and the inhabitants of the whole of New Zealand are interested in its success. In Otago we know that every effort is being made to make thd Exhibition worthy of the Colony arid of" the occasion. In Canterbury the same spirit is manifesting itself. The inhabitants ot the Northern provinces are, we believe, also resolved to come forward in a spirit of friendly rivalry, so that the ■Exhibition ought to furnish a real representation of the varied resources of the colony. Ministers have also promised liberal assistance, and will, we hope, do everything in their power to influence the Australian Governments on its behalf. We have no wish to see the colony committed to any large liability on account of the Exhibition, but Government can be of great service in furthering its objeota and in ensuring ita success. After all, the great aim of the Exhibition is to advertise the colony and and its resources. Indeed, the whole scheme has been devised with that object. Its special features have been planned for the purpose of attracting visitors. Now a mere Exhibition, how- ! ever excellent, could hardly be expected to attract an enormous number of visitors, even from. Australia. The promoters, therefore, have shown great judgment in resolving to make the Exhibition a means of enabling visitqrs to see all parts of the colony at a small cost and with as little inconvenience as possible. Mr. Twopeny has reason for thinkingthat, with proper arrangements, some 5000 or 6000 tourists will visit our shores during the Exhibition period. Our unrivalled scenery is beginning at» last to attract some attention, not only in Australia, but in England, and each yearwe may expect to find the number of tourists largely increased. The Exhibition may be expected to give this traffic an impetus. Now it is not the mere financial results of this kind of traffic, important as they are, which we lobk upon as desirable. It is the impression which is formed on the minds of those who see with their own eyes what the resources of the colony really are." There is "probably no part: of th? world" which nas' Buffered more than New Zealand has from hostile critics. These critics are not confined to the London Press by any means. Our Australian neighbors have persistently run this colony down for years. New Zealand colonists visiting Australia are pained and surprised to find the kind of which the colony poseesies, .. It , . i| ..scarcely ever mentioned except for the purpose of being pointed to as the dreadful example to be avoided. There is, in addition, an astonishing absence of real knowledge of the actual position of affairs here. Tnose wh6 do come to our shores are not only charmed with the scenery and climate, but are struck with astonishment at the evidence of productive capacity which they witness on every hand. If 5000 or 6000 Australians are induced next year to make a tour of New Zealand, the effect upon public opinion regarding us in the other colonies will be magical. We are far from saying that the bad name which the colopy has got elsewhere is entirely the result of prejudice. Our debt unfortunately bulks largely before the pubfcc/ and if we. were to continue to borrow as we- have -been doing, nothing that can be said in support of our capacity to pay the interest would convince our critics, that we are in a sound financial position. But the borrowing policy is about brought to a close, and any attempt to renew it will, we believe, be sternly resisted by the great majority of -the' eleotors. At such a time as this, when the colony is undoubtedly recovering from the evil effects: of doll times -.and extravagant Government expenditure, a scheme for bringing $flfo*e world the great-resources of the cbuntry cannot fail to be productive of much benefit, the proposal, therefore, to have officer in Melbourne, Sydney, [ Adelaide, and where informa-,

tion regarding the colony would be I afforded, is an excellent one. The information then supplied should not be confined to supplying facts with reference to the Exhibition, and the means *^< , of getting there. Advantage should be taken of tho opportunity to distribute reliable statistics as to the productive capacity of tho colony, eM the laws relatiug te laud settlement.