THE USE OF EXHIBITIONS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 6052, 9 November 1906, Page 6

THE USE OF EXHIBITIONS.

Nino people out of every ten, if asked “What is the use of the International E xhibition ?” -would probably reply that it stimulated trade, or stands as an erabodimont of our progress s'inco our recent establishment as a young white country. There is truth in both these ■views, but that is probably entirely accidental, for the reason that nine people out of ten look upon the Exhibition as nothing but a gorgeous spectacle to he approached in a holiday spirit of childlike appreciation. Perhaps there is in the mind of every visitor to the great fair a conventional feeling that it is the correct thing to be impressed, and a vague idea that the occasion calk) for a reverent patriotism. It its the tenth man who wanders away from this lazy field of thoughtlessness and seriously ponders the matter with .himself, arising with the conclusion that Exhibitions are of no use, and that although they can do no harm, they cannot achieve much national good. By a natural transition he begins to question the (Sincerity of the oratorical enthusiasm whioh. is set free in all quarters by International Exhibitions, and, if he is as earnest as he is critical he shakes his head over the continued reign of platitude. In much this l spirit the "Sydney Morning Herald” has been moved by the proceedings in Christchurch to affirm that ho Australian State can benefit by an International Exhibition. ' There is no want of pertinence in most of our Sydney contemporary’s nonconformist arguments. It points out that, whilo the introduction, which Exhibitions give to manufacturing novelties must bear good fruit, it may be argued “that processes of manufacture which are new and valuable will not bo placed at the disposal of interested visiters, whilst there is no education in old and perhaps superseded methods.-’ The representation of Great Britain at tho Exhibition means to the “Herald” merely a compliment to New Zealand. Finally, it ia urged thatf a colony cannot promote its interests by holding Exhibitions of British, and foreign goods, and should devote it© attention to placing before the British and the ’foreign public evidence bf its achievements and of its possibilities. This ie for-the most part the soundest of reasoning, but it takes no account of what are after all the: two most important benefits derivable from such an undertaking as that which it is the, business of every patriotic New Zealander to assist at all times during the next six months. In the first place tho publicity which it was necessary to give to the Exhibition in the preparatorystages constituted, a very good advertisement, ndt of the Exhibition alone, but of the colony itself, and although it is beginning to be stated that British ignorance of both the colony and tho Exhibition is as great as ever, we cannot but think such reports are exaggerated., It must bo remembered, aloo, that while New Zealanders will bo deeply interested in the foreign exhibits, the outside visitors, of whom there will have been more than isi generally supposed before tire season closes, will be equally interested in our own displays. . . More important, however, than its effect in stimulating trade, will be tbe educative effect of the Exhibition upon tho native-born. The average New Zealander’s daily round hardly takes him beyond.-a very circumscribed area of experience or knowledge, and if thea-o -is any virtue in travelling through one’s own country, a visit to tho Exhibition is valuable, since it will assuredly open the eyes of the stay-at-homes to resources hitherto unsuspected or nncared for; If as a result of our first International Exhibition there is any stimulation, of patriotism and self-consciousness, and of a national spirit, financial failure will not be too large a price to pay. When the Crystal Palace opened with tho pioneer of International Exhibitions, it was exported that tho reign of peace would begin, 1 but the novelty of the project supplies a sufficient explanation of that curious false hope. Perhaps it wast a memory of this disappointment which inspired the President of the British ‘ Board of Trade last week to set about appointing a committee to inquire into the nature and extent of the . benefits whioh have been derived by- British ' art, industries and trade from participation in International Exhibitions, The President’s action wa fi certainly unhappily timed, hnt it will not, we hope, deter anyone from anticipating any but- good results from our own , venture.