THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, MARCH 17. 1906. THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13544, 17 March 1906, Page 6

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, MARCH 17. 1906. THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

The regrettable apathy which we have had occasion to deplore in Dunedin on the subject of the International Exhibition seems to be fairly general throughout the colony. However cordially the smaller towns may be responding to the representations that are being made to them, the larger centres have unmistakably manifested their indifference respecting the project. But it must be quite clear that there can be no representative display of the industries of the colony unless the principal manufacturers co-operate warmly in an effort to make the Exhibition a success. The."captains of industry" in New Zealand have apparently formed the opinion that the advantages to be derived from participating in the Exhibition are not likely to be commensurate with the expense to which tlieV; tfp.ujd .be giit'.ijE they, were to

prepare exhibits of their goods. The matter is one upon wliich they should certainly be the best judges, but wo are disposed to think that, if they fully realised the scope of ; the . Exhibition, they would not so readily make up their minds to abstain from applying for space. It would not surprise anyone to hear that manufacturers who have colonial reputations for their goods should hesitate to incur heavy outlays upon the preparation of exhibits which should challenge comparison only with other colonial exhibits of the same class of goods. But it may be seriously questioned whether it is not a sound proposition that it will he a profound business mistake on the part of colonial manufacturers to refrain from displaying their wares in an Exhibition where examples of the industries of other countries will be shown in profusion, and which wilL attract the attendance of large numbers of visitors from all parts of the world. The feelings of concern which the Mayor of Christclmrch' has evinced over the apathy that is being displayed in Auckland, Wellington, and Ditnedin concerning the enterprise are perfectly intelligible. The success cf the Exhibition necessarily depends to a large extent upon the character of the exhibits. The more comprehensive, tho more varied, and the more representative the exhibits the greater will be the success of the Exhibition, and the greater will be the benefit which Christchurch will derive from the . fact or the Exhibition being held in that city. That being so, the people of Christchurch have a direct personal interest in securing that there shall be a liberal representation in. the Exhibition of all the principal industries of the colony. Is there any way by which 1 they may themselves assist in producing the desired end? It- seems to us to be by no means certain there is not. The residents of Christchurch are having an Exhibition promoted in their midst, towards the cost of which they are not contributing a sixpence over and above their share as general taxpayers of the colony's liability of loss upon the project. They are to derive all the pecuniary advantage which the existence of the Exhibition will confer, and they are to give nothing in return. They are, moreover, we understand, to receive as a gift for their city, when the Exhibition is over, the organ-which is to be obtained at considerable cost for use in the concert hall. We cannot think that the Government could not have placed the scheme on a financial footing that would have been more satisfactory to the colony. The people of Dunedin provided nearly £10,000 in cash to meet the cost of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition in 1889-90, and we do not doubt that the commercial community in Canterbury would have cheerfully contributed to a fund guaranteeing the provision ot a. portion of the deficit which will have to be faced. Even now it is possible that the people of Christchurch might be induced to see their way to raise a fund which should be devoted to meeting a part of the expense inseparable from the preparation of representative exhibits of the foremost industries of the colony. The apportionment of such a fund through the local advisory committees would not be a matter of exceptional difficulty, and the effect might be to overcome some of the objections at present entertained by manufacturers to participating in the Exhibition. It would certainly be preferable, of course, if the leading manufacturers throughout the colony, even if they were not convinced that it would be profitable to them to display specimens of their products, should regard it as their patriotic duty to support the Exhibition by taking part in it. Our Ottawa correspondent indicated, in the letter we published yesterday, that there is every reason to expect that an elaborate display will be forwarded by Canada, which is evidently determined to make a strenuous effort to develop a considerable trade with New Zealand, and the prospects that satisfactory exhibits will be made by the other colonies and Great Britain are very encouraging. It will involve a distinct reflection on. the colony if, in face of all this, its own industries are not adequately represented in the Exhibition. But visitors to Christchurch during the currency of the Exhibition will desire something more than a spectacle of long avenues of goods, however attractively displayed, and of trophies, however effective, spibolising the natural resources of the colony. It is to be hoped that the importance of securing an extensive representation of the arts and crafts practised by the Natives will be realised by the commissioners, and that the art gallery will, as in Dunedin in 1899, be made a feature of the Exhibition. There is less fear, we believe, of the Commissioners and of the Government failing to take a wise course in respect of these matters than there is of their committing a mistake in regard to the provision of music. We are convinced that, if the recommendations of the Musical Committee, now supported by the advice of Mr Henry Brett, executive commissioner for Auckland, in favour,of the engagement of a. large orchestra., are again ignored the responsible authorities will make a grave blunder. The value of an efficient permanent orchestra is not exhausted with its provision of an instructive and enjoyable series of concerts. The nominal loss that was shown at the > New Zealand and South Seas Exhibil tion upon the operations of the • Music Committee must have been i largely, if-not wholly, met by the , expansion of the receipts at the i turnstiles and for season tickets conse- ■ quent upon the varied and great , attractions which the Commissioners ■ were able to offer in their possession . of an admirable orchestra, There ! will certainly be a large convergence . of colonists towards Christchurch i during the Exhibition season. Mr ■ Brett, who seems to have little faith i in the reliability of the promises - of the Government to have the coni struction of the North Island Main 1 Trunk line sufficiently advanced to » enable people from Auckland to > travel overland to Wellington on ■ their way to the Exhibition, thinks i that the terrors of the sea journey > from Oaehußga to New [Plymouth}

induced to visit Christchurck if they were afforded the opportunity of securing a trip in Home-going steamers. We do not think Mr Brett's fears in this respect are well grounded, and we have little doubtthat Auckland, as well as Otago, will send a. large crowd of visitors to the Exhibition. But it will be very disappointing to them if they are put off by the Exhibition authorities with an inferior orchestra for tho musical side of the entertainment.