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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7416, 26 August 1885, Page 4

We feel deeply the importance of the Indian and Colonial Exhibition which is to be held in London next year, and we fear that unless our Government take some better course of procedure than they have adopted, this colony, at all events, will be represented most inadequately. The forthcoming Exhibition will be an event, not only in the history of the colonies, but in the history of the world. Everything conspires to augment its importance. We here, living our lives in these colonies, watching their growth from day to day, can scarcely conceive how, within the last year, they havestarted into the view of the world like nations which had been grown up in a day. This point has been dwelt upon often enough of late in connection with the appearance of a colonial corps with the British army in the Soudan; and it has affccted the mind of Europe strongly enough to make all nations willing to —nay, anxious to see, what these nations of the future, to whom have been committed the destinies of the southern parts of the globe, are, and are likely to become, what numbers of inhabitants they possess, what the extent of their lands, what are their products and capacities. Again, the Prince of Wales is at the head of the project, and his influence in England at the present time seems vast. His Royal Highness has not merely been dragged into it to make an imposing figure-head to the pageantry which must be connected with it. He has always shown himself interested in the colonies. Many years ago, he proved how deeply he was interested in the establishment of a Colonial Museum, and in the matter of the Colonial and Indian Exhibition he has been in truth the originator. It is natural enough that he should desire to connect himself with the greatest internal movement the British Empire has ever known in the whole course of its wondrous history. And this stepping of the colonies into the front line of nations is undoubtedly such a movement. Hitherto the Empire has scarcely known what to do with them, and how to treat them. That part of the problem seems so far simplified. The great speed of travelling, and the numerous applications of telegraphy, have abolished merely physical obstacles that formerly seemed insuperable to any hope of the colonies continuing to be united with the Empire. The colonies themselves have spoken with an unanimous voice. There is now descried the possibility of a Federated Empire, comprehending lands in every clime, embracing the most energetic toilers in the world, in whose hands are the grandest human destinies, who are working out the problems of popular liberty and popular well-being, and who, we all fervently hope, will hold fast to those principles of religion and morality which have distinguished the race, and have enabled it to attain its present high position because we must remember that now, as ever, " righteousness exalteth a nation."

The Exhibition of 1851 was a new departure for the Empire. It inaugurated a time 'of immense industrial development, it began a period of artiatic improvement in manufactures, the pursuits of science were entered upon with renewed zest, and, more than all, it was, we believe, the beginning of a better state of things for the working man. Those who remember the golden dreams of the period must lament that many of these have vanished, and have never been realised. " Peace on earth : good-will toward men," was the motto chosen, and many thought that they saw near at hand the dawn of a millennium such as was sighed for by the poet when he wrote

Ah ! when shall all men's good Be each man's rule, and universal Peace Lie like a shaft of light across the land ? Still, and considering all our disappointments, the Exhibition of 1851 was a great event; and this of 1886, coming at the present crisis of the Empire, may have issues as great or greater. Who knows but that, after all, with a powerful Anglo-Saxon confederation, the millennial era of Peace may not even now be at our doors ?

But to return to business considerations. We are afraid that the Government are not taking steps to secure an adequate representation of - New Zealand in London. There is no time to be lost. Application must be seat in to Dr. Haast by the Ist of October, which is close at hand. There is indeed time enough' between this and then to forward all the needful applications, but what we, are afraid of is, that the proper steps are not being taken to secure that these applications shall be made. Dr. Haast has visited Auckland, and a committee has been formed, but we do not hear of the work being systematically taken in hand. It is left

to individual exhibitors to make their claims for space, aud no security is taken that everything shall be represented, in completeness, and in something like proportional scale. On this subject, we could ilot do better than refer to a pamphlet published in 1883, by Mr. It. E. N. Twopeny, and entitled, " A Proposal for Holding an Australasian Exhibition in London." Mr. Twopeny is entitled to credit for having conceived the project of at. exhibition which was to be devoted to bringing the position and capabilities of the Australasian colonies before the world in London. He is also entitled to speak, as having a large experience of exhibitions. lie was Secretary of the South Australian itoyai Commissioners at the Paris, Sydney, and Melbourne International Exhibitions, and was promoter und manager of private venture exhibitions at Adelaide, Perth, and Qhriatehurch. His pamphlet, though .written two years ago, might be taken as showing what should be aimed at in relation to the forthcoming event. He points out tho object* of the scheme, the need for such

an Exhibition, its nature and efficiency. He shows the advantage which it would be to hare the Prince of Wales at the head of the project, and, indeed, names the conditions of success much as we have them before us now. ■ Our object in referring to this pamphlet, however, now is, because it brings prominently into view the fact that such an Exhibition, to be useful, must be systematic. It is not sufficient merely to announce that there is to be an Exhibition, and simply invite all who desire to exhibit to send their articles. That will result in a mere higgledypiggledy collection, which would impart ideas of only confusion. Those who are appointed by the Government I to take charge of the matter ought to | see that nothing is omitted which ought J to be shown on behalf of the colony, | and if there is anything wanting in the i collections sent by individuals to take | care that it was obtained. Dr. Hector has acted for New Zealand at several exhibitions, and we should think that his experience would be valuable, but for some reason the Government have passed him over and appointed Dr. Von Haast, who, we I should take it, is not qualified to get up an adequate representation of the industries and the natural products of the colony. Mr. Twopeny is in the colony, and if his services could be secured in arranging the exhibits and seeing after their proper display and explanation in London, an advantage would be gained which we fear cannot otherwise be obtained. The occasion is an important one, and such another will not occur again for a* generation. Properly used, it may be a turning point in the history of the colony. Through the influence of such an Exhibition Colonial products may become better known, better appreciated, and fetch a higher price; emigration may be greatly stimulated, so that the vast expanse of land in all parts of the colony which is now a drug in the market, a burden to its possessors, and bringing ruin upon them, would be taken up and utilised. This Colonial Exhibition may indeed be the occasion of an improvement for New Zealand, which will cause the colony to advance by " leaps and bounds," in a much safer way than by borrowing more millions.