A BRITISH AND COLONIAL EXHIBITION AT CAPETOWN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12445, 30 August 1902, Page 6

A BRITISH AND COLONIAL EXHIBITION AT CAPETOWN.

Although the prospect® of New Zealandsecuring a considerable share of the trade with South Africa: have been seriously jeopardised through the failure of the attempt to establish a direct; steam service with Natal and Capo Colony, there is yet a chance of bringing our products and manufactures prominently before the people of South Africa, and it is to be hoped that the opportunity will be availed of by the Government and our manufacturers and producers. It appears that a British and Colonial Exhibition is to be held at Capetown from November,' 1903, to February, 1904, and we learn that already the arrangements are well advanced. The project has been taken up warmly in Cape Colony, and, from the information which has : come to hand, its success is assured. The necessary funds have been guaranteed, and a site selected -within five minutes' walk from the Town Hall iil Capetown. The Govermnent of Gape Colony has promised its support, and the railways • will be utilised in every way possible to assist the promoters of the Exhibition. An important foaturo will be the eoiifiyig of the Exhibition to exhibits from tlw

Iritis'h Empire, it being considered by the promoters only reasonable nnd failthat an industrial display tlint will inevitably teiul to increase the commercial relations between the South African colonics and the various participants should bo confined to those who had given assistance to Cape Colony and Natal in their recent desperate struggle for existence .as British communities. It will bo at once evident that such an Exhibition, if properly taken advantage of, would assist most materially in bringing before the people of South Africa the products and manufactures of New Zealand. We believe the quality of our exhibits would cause them to recommend themselves, and the enterprise of our "business tneu would do the rest. This as a matter wo hope to see the ActingPremier take up at once. If New Zealand is to participate in the British and Colonial Exhibition in South Africa a sum should be placed on the Supplementary Estimates to assist in defraying the expense connected with having the colony adequately represented. The cost should not be very great as no doubt, the officers of the recently established Department of Commerce would he delighted to have an opportunity of justifying the existence of the Department. The Agricultural Department could also be utilised, ami with the hearty co-operation of manufacturers and commercial men seeking to extend the trade of the colony, there appears to be no insurmountable difficulty in the way ot sending a thoroughly representative display to Capetown. The imatter is one of urgency, as we learn from Hi' Albert P.. Baker, the general manager of the Exhibition, that, the number of applications for space from British and colonial exhibitors is already large, and however much the promoters may desire to give all an equal chance, this is essentially a ease in which " the early bird catches the worm." Provided with a good exhibit, a real live commissioner, with the assistance possibly of one or two commercial agents, who would be in a position to impart the fullest information as to cost, regularity of supply, etc., should be able to lay the foundation of n large and mutually advantageous trade between this colony and South Africa, especially if in the meantime a regular steam service is established. We commend the matter to the Acting-Premier, and we trust that our manufacturers and producers will give their hearty co-operation.