The Press. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1905. THE EXHIBITION.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12379, 19 December 1905, Page 6

The Press. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1905. THE EXHIBITION.

Tho foundation stone of €h.© New Zee*land International Exhibition was laid yesterday under tho happiest auspices.

Perfect -weatTier prevailed, end (ho very large assemblage of "spectators could, not | fail to be impressed with the beauty of tlio surroundings, end- must have been moro than ever convinced ihat an ideal spot has been selected as the si to of the Exhibition. Wβ have indeed no hesitation in saying that it is very much superior to that of the St. Louis Exposition. The grounds of the latter, it is true, with their gardens and artificial waterways, formed a. delightful picture whea the Exhibition was in full swing, hut the picture- owed everytliinj* to art. Hero Nature has provided an almost ideal setting for the Exhibition buildings. The lawns, the flower beds, the artificial cascades and canals of St. Louis, were very attractive in their way, f but tho sylvan beauty of tho Arcn and Haglcy Park, with the glorious view of the Southern Alps in tho background, will give the New Zealand International Exhibition of 1906 a!» peculiar charm, distinguishing ft from all other expositions of which we have any personal knowledge. Tho speeches delivered at tho iii/nugural ceremony yesterday were excellent in substance and inspirhig in ton»«. They should lead tho public, not only in Canterbury, but in other parts of New Zealand, to realise, the international character of the Exhibition and tho benefits it is likely to bring to New Zealand as a whole. Mr Seddon made a graceful reference to the labours and the memories of tho early settlers in Canterbury, and brought out effectively tho great. chaneeß which had taken place in tho brief span of our history—changes iwhich will bo bWU further broight home to us by the Exhibition, with all its great display of tho colony's resources made available by tho energy of its people. Hcing in such an optimistio vein, it was only natural that tho Prime Minister should look forward to still further advances of a (startling nature, and after his remarks in reference to great ocean steamers being docked at Linwood tho advocates of tho proposed ship canal may very fairly conclude that the Government will favour the project in Parliament, instead of opposing it in the interests of tho railway, as some have been inclined to fear. Turning to tho subject more immediately connected with the day's proceedings, Mr Seddon showed very euooinctly and clearly what were the objects aimed at in holding the Exhibition and {the various ways in which the expenditure it will entail is likely to be repaid. It ought to increase tho demand for our products, and there is no question, we,think, that it will tend-to a large influx of visitors. Some of them may decide to remain as residents in the colony, and if wo may judge from past experience, most of those who return to other lands will act as very effective advertising agents for New Zealand, inducing others to follow their example by visiting it 3 shores. Both the Premier and Sir Joseph Ward,. trhp>aU6^ r 6poke very encouragingly" of £ho' applications for 6pace which liavo already been received, and of tho prospects of securing eomo good pictures, etc., for the Art Gallery. * In regard to the former, it was stated that thcTO was every probability that the buildings, as at preeent designed, would be inacUgtorte for future- requirements. more gratifying because it is understood that any additional buildings; tHIJ|JSot involve additional outlay, inasmuch as the cost of construction will be covered by the payment received from exhibitors for space occupied. It is.to be hoped, howcvor, that too much will not be left to chance, or the voluntary action of exhibitors. Wo trust that the Agent-General is already taking energetio steps to carry out the work of which the foundation wan laid by Mr Donne during his visit to America ond Europe. Time, as we are constantly reminded, is rapidly passing, and we should be glad to hear that steps were being taken with a view to secure a really good display of exhibits.of the highest class. As to the pictures and other objecte for Hie Art Gallery, wo ought to bo satisfied with nothing but the best, bearing in mind tho valuo of this department not only as an attraction to tho •Exhibition, but also as a means of educating tho people. We hope also to hoar that the local feeling of dissatisfaction, to which reference has been made, has been removed, awl that the committees in other parts of New Zealand will do their best in conjunction with their Canterbury co-workers to make the coming International Exhibition, in Sir Joseph Ward's words, the greatest show of tho kind ever seen on this eide of the line.