FRANCO-BRITISH EXHIBITION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 298, 10 September 1908, Page 3

FRANCO-BRITISH EXHIBITION.

. NEW ZEALAND'S POOR EXHIBIT. ■ i"A MISERABLE SHOWING." :' A- Now Zealander, very largely interested in the produce and land of tho Dominion, •who is at present in London, writing to a friend in New Zealand,! refers as follows to the Neiv Zealand display at the FrancoBritish Exhibition:—: •' "Wliy, has New Zealand made such a miserable show?. It would''really havo been better if we had not shown, at ail than in the, way . we have done. It is said that Mr. Beeves appeared to be absolutely indifferent, about, : .this, as he seems to be about all matters of general interest. Others, also, do not, seem i to',have been very enthusiastic,.but I understand; they, urged the authorities; ..that; we . . ought -to. make, a good show or none at. all.. > '.'Surely there were some of those exhibits of .wool and grain and seed from theiChrist- . church Exhibition that'could have; heen <sni over. -The Agricultural Department seems td have >been nowhere,'and if it were not for the display made by the Tourist' Department would be a miserable failure. If proper-exhibits in ' quantity and'quality 'had been sent over, the display need not havo. cost so very much money. As an instance, there are no typical pieces-of wool. Why were'not the prize fleeces from the Canterbury Show sent here? There'is only a miserable.- little show of seeds; - and a Blenheim gentleman who brought ■ over three special . samples' of barley could only get one bag 'displayed.', Frozen meat,'which, as you know, . formi'.the ,of-New .Zealand,', has a display of, alkiut . 10ft; l by, 4ft., with some •poultry, which is ' decifledly off colour, and some beefj which'is liot the best;, , I cannot . 'understand-why. a better New Zealand Commissioner, was-not appointed in-London to advice. the:High7Cooimissi6ner'and make sugpstions.\' -To' my- mind the. exhibit should have.:been one; which; would, have shown tbo .-•; resources'? of, so as.to induco people to come out. .We ought to havo made one very large'display, of wool'at one end of the building, arid at-the other end large, display from., the choicest' frozen ipeat. The various;other products, such as.grain,, flax; and'gum, should' , have, been shown :in ■' . proportion..,.to : 'iwhlit is produced. The practical -display, of the resources of the country ■ : should have been of the first' importance, anil then for' 'decoration and artistic effect the. : Tourist Department should been used tq outmost capacity.'. The.'chance;'of "a century'has been-missed." / ' ' ■