A MISERABLE FAILURE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 215, 10 September 1908, Page 5

A MISERABLE FAILURE.

AT FRANCO-BRITISH EXHIBI-

TION.

NEW ZEALAND'S MEAGRE DIS-

PLAY.

BLENHEIM GOODS SQUEEZED OUT.

i A New Zealander very largely interested in the produce and land of the Dominion, who is at present in London, writing to a friend in New Zealand, refers as follows to the New i Zealand display at the Franco-British ; .Exhibition:— I "Why has New "Zealand made such a miserable show? It would really have been better if we had not shown at all than in the way we have done. It is said that Mr Reeves was absolutely indifferent about' this, as he seems to be about all matters of general interest. Others also do not seem to have been very enthusiastic, ! but I understand they urged the S authorities that we ought to make a good show or none at all. ; j "Surely there were some of those exhibits of wool and grain and seed" from the Christchurch Exhibition that could have been sent over. The Agricultural Department seems to have been nowhere, and if it were not for the display made by the Tourist Department our exhibits would be a miserable failure. If proper exhibits m quantity and quality had been sent

over the display need not have 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 her©? There is only a, miserable little snow 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, forms the backbone ox New Zealand, has a display of about ten feet by four feet, with some poultry, which is decidedly off colour, and some beef, which is not the best. I cannot understand why a better New Zealand Commissioner was not appointed in London to advise the High Commissioner and make suggestions. To my mind the exhibit should have been one which would have shown the resources of the Colony so as to induce people to come out. We ought to have made one very large display of wool at one end or the building and at the other end an equally large display from the choicest frozen meat. The various other products, such as grain, flax and gum, shoXild have been shown in proportion to what is produced. The practical display of the resources of the country should have been of the first importance, and then for decoration and artistic effect the Tourist Department should have been used to its | utmost capacity. The chance of &> ! century has been missed."