The Imperial Institute.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 787, 1 April 1887, Page 30

The Imperial Institute.

In another column we publish, at the request of the Government, a circular which has been forwarded to the local bodies throughout New Zealand with reference to the proposed Imperial Institute. That circular, which is issued by the Colonial Treasurer, expatiates in forcible language upon the merits of the proposal, alike as a memorial of the Royal Jubilee and as a means of promoting the welfare of the Colony, and appeals to the local bodies to assist with contributions. Some eloquent utterances of Professor Huxley are quoted in support of the appeal. We freely admit that, in common with nearly everybody in the Colony, we possess only the vaguest knowledge of what is precisely proposed with regard to this much-talked-of Imperial Institute. The torrents of gushing enthusiasm which have been lavished on this scheme—we will not say merely because it emanates from the Prince of Wales—always fall short of what everyone wants to know. We can all go with the speakers and writers up to a certain point; but just as we are about to say :—“ Very good, we quite agree with all that; but now tell us exactly in practical shape what you propose,” we find that there is nothing more to come. We have had a splendid overture, but no opera follows. Wbat is now required is specific information as to the details of the scheme. Hitherto that has not been forthcoming, and there is no indication that it is ever coming. All we khow definitely is that it is proposed to erect a building at South Kensington to contain a sort of mu-

seum and library. Some of the London papers hint very strongly that it is also to contain ‘‘ berths ” (or as we call them in colonial slang, “ billets ”) for certain favourites at the English Court, notably some whose occupation is gone owing to the cessation of the annual exhibitions at South Kensington. That may or may not be the case. But, at least, it is desirable that before the colonists of New Zealand are asked to put their hands in their pockets they should be favoured with a much clearer idea as to the practical details of the scheme. If the suggestion conveyed in the circular is that the local bodieß should vote out ot the public funds contributions to the Institute, we must confess that we fail to see how they can do this either legally or with propriety. Assuredly the New Zealand Parliament is not in a position to vote a sum of money for this purpose. With a deficient revenue and with increased taxation looming ahead, that would be out of the question. As little is the Wellington City Council in a position to vote a grant, even could this lawfullybe done. WhiletheCouncil cannot find means to drain the city and protect the public health, it can scarcely furnish a grant toward a museum and library at South Kensington. In view of recent deputations and dis cussions, it may be doubted whether the neighbouring County Councils are any more favourably situated in respect of ability to subsidise the Imperial Institute. Possibly the idea is that the local bodies shall become collecting associations to gather in private subscriptions to the Institute. If so, the result rests with the persons appealed to, who, of course will act as they please; but whether there are not many far more urgent claims on their liberality than the Imperial Institute may fairly be doubted. Nor can we deem the collection of subscriptions to come quite within the legitimate functions of local governing bodies. It seems to us rather a pity that the Queen’s Jubilee should be made the pretext for a huge begging enterprise, and in our opinion the colonists of New Zealand would more worthily celebrate the occasion by the establishment of some beneficent public institution within this Colony itself.