THE New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1877.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4788, 22 March 1877, Page 2

THE New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1877.

LyNew Zealand to be representedrat j the Sydney Exhibition 1' It does notfappear that 'the' Government' is : taking any s,teps either; to - provide for-sending an official representative' or r to make such arrangements as would, expedite.the actiok-pf-persons. disposed to, ; be> exhibitors, to indnco others ,to .become such who have articles : of produce, or acture which .would .. dp, r credit j to , the polony ".to forward iox,. exhibition at Sydney. ' "Wo believe it requires only a little judicious and well-timed action to.. remove' any apathy Which may exist in this matter. If "nothing is done, we greatly fear that any spsce "that might be allotted for Now Zealand in the Sydney Palace of Industry will show but a beggarly account of ,-our, Colonial products and manufacWβ have coal,.and wool and.flax ; timber of great sizo and.fino quality, clays for pottery purposes, .raw, and manufactured ; cloth in the shape of Nelson and Ofcago tweeds, unsurpassed In., their kind \ for faithful workmanship and utter freedom from the shoddy abominations which have been shamelessly introduced into the colonial markets in their name. We can produce cheese and butter and of which especially the; latter, the too high temperature of the Australian colonies prevents successful production, there. Canterbury and Auckland can produce wheat not inferior to Adelaide ; and Canterbury can and does export large quantities of that grain. Auckland, whose capacity, for agricultural aud pastoral purposes has hitherto been greatly underrated, but which is now attracting the attention of Southern capitalists, might not only supply itself with all its breadstuffs, but could, as of old, largely export. Tho day is coming when this shall again be done. Visitors from Southern provinces extol the country, aud praise its great adaptability for the growth of grain and the raising of cattle; and wealthy men who are investing , ' money in Waikato estates,, ■is they travel through the alluvial districts, are amazed when : they soe the vast' tracts of land, so well fitted for these purposes lying waste, when they should shdw nelds of-waving grain,:and pastures alive, with sheep and cattle.. These men, —and they are unprejudiced, and in every way competent judges—declare that Auckland people have neglected tho great gifts which a bounteous Nature has, with liberal and unsparing hand, bestowed upon them. These same visitors see a grand future before 1 this' province; and' they have the-courage of their'opinions and aro acting upon them, and investing money in the land. The land is growing more valuable every year, and the prospects of this provinco aro improving in consequence. ■ It is only now — when travelling northward is becoming a fashion among.the Southern jscople, when the growing popularity of our Hot Springs and tho grandeur of the lako scenery at Rotomahana are attracting visitors who: gratify curiosity respecting natural phenomena—that people are becoming practically acquainted with the value of the . land .of this country. Canterbury lands are dearer than those of Auckland, the climate of which forms an additional incentive to those who' know the potentialities .of good, wellwatered land, and a genial climate, plus capital, energy, and, above all, industry. Our excellent rivej l system, and ovir rapidly growing means of communication of rail and road,, all tend to the increase of the value-of land, and the attraction .to it of both capital ; and settlement. We believe, within the year now 'current, that the favourable reports of experienced agriculturists who ■ have spied out the land, and have invested jtheir money in it, will give an impetua to further settlement, and to agricultural and pastoral enterprise, in Auckland to a degree far. beyond the dreams of those who have been dwelling in the midst of opulent surroundings, and doing little or nothing; to make them .profitable to themselves and the What is wanted is that no opportunity shall be lost for making known throughout Australasian, colonies the natural wealth of this colony, and especially of Auckland. That is one reason, and', a powerful' one, why, when other colonies are making a ■ dieplay- in Sydney, New Zealand should .not be omitted "from the list of those represented. So far as the eendihg of exhibits is concerned, we fear it is too late to carry that into'effect, as the time is too near for the opening of the exhibition at which Canada', Queensland, Victoria, aud Adelaide will make I their mark, especially Canada.. The Canadian commissioner, Mr. „ Young, lately described to the Auckls.nd Chamber of Commerce .what efforts the colony he represents had made to let her manufactures and inventions .be known and valued in Australia by means of this exhibition.. New Zealand ought to emulate this spirit of diffusion of the colonial resources aud capabilities. I£ we cannot now, because the subject has been too long neglected, send ■ any ex; liibits under some colonial system.. like that which Canada has adopted, we'can at least send some accredited representative so that New Zealand shall. not;., be altogether omitted from ,the bouquet colonies which shall display their flowers and fruits of, progress and ent"erprise_in; the, industrial gathering about; to..take.' place in the oldest city in these-seas It' is not too late fortMs; there.'are; other important public and social treasons' why a Commissioner, should"'iiot ; ;'oiily; be sent by the General Government but also one by each Chamber of Commerce ; in the chief towns of the Colony., The Canadian, exhibits will, in the mattor "of machinery- for public works, in models of bridges, dredges and their working, offer .valuable suggestions ; and also in labour-saving' inventions, and in those household furnishings and utensils in , which Canada '■ ■ and the* United; States excel, " and which la-: •bour, and tend to make homescomfortable. An intimate acquaintance with these things, and their introduction into the colony would be gradually and, socially advantageous, and the benefit ; would grow in extont as years went on. Wo desire such representation, then, first, for tho sake ef keeping New Zealand and its resources,; before colonial eyes in Australia,' and, in the second place, that New Zealand may secure some of the utilitarian, advantages which acquaintance with examples of new discoveries and invention's, gathered together from so many and such distant sources, would ultimately produce to a growing colonial community.