THE EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19177, 17 November 1925, Page 8

THE EXHIBITION.

It is by this name that the great display to be formally opened today in Dunedin will be generally designated during the months of its existence, and the implied claim to distinction in that colloquial title is not without warrant. In many ways its promoters have evidenced their determination to make it the best yet seen in the Dominion. In mere acreage it is impressive. In its salient features it has outstanding merit. It manifests both courage in its planning and skill in its actual creation. The whole Dominion should felicitate Otago, and [especially Dunedin, on the enterprise displayed. No doubt the Southern city will gain mr>st direct benefit from the effort. That is as it should be. Those who have made the venture deserve to reap the* major advantage. But it will perform a service to the whole Dominion, and no. one with any national pride will begrudge any local gain that may gladden its promoters. It is being asserted that the North Island has been lacking in enthusiasm about the project, and Southern complaints as to this have had a touch of bitterness in them. There is reason in this sense of grievance. Tho backwardness of the Auckland and Well-

ington courts, which coyer territorially the whole of this island, givos proof of a measure of indifference. There has been interest, but it has not found an effective focus. The men who have moved in the matter have had inadequate support. Money has not been contributed as generously as the occasion demanded. Probably, a failure to realise the scope of the exhibition has been the initial lack; but there is*no need to discuss that now, save to say, as the Herald did some time ago, that this enterprise has a claim upon the active co-operation of every district in the dominion. The British . Government has provided an excellent exhibit. Canada has done well. Australia is not merely represented: the shipping companies' bookings for the next few months indicate a large influx of Australian visitors to the exhibition. These things betoken a widespread interest in it, and they impress the urgency of the opportunity given to Auckland to take a worthy share. The point now to be emphasised is that it is not yet too late for this to be done. "Better late than never," should be the slogan. The appeal made by Mr. J. A. 0. Allum, now in Dunedin as the representative of the Auckland committee, ought not to fall on deaf ears. It will be found elsewhere in this issue, and- should be read with more than idle sympathy. More money must be forthcoming and immediate action taken to furnish the provincial court with satisfactory representations of the North's resources and attractions. For our own credit's sake—to put the appeal on no higher level—this must be done, and they will serve their city and their province well who lose not an hour and leave no stone unturned to ensure an efficient display. The choice is between our own regrets and others' reproaches, on the one hand, and. on the other a sense of satisfaction that a great opportunity of co-operating in a truly national undertaking, while advancing the interests of our own region, has been worthily used.