The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1883.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2881, 17 December 1883, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1883.

When Messieurs Joubert and Twopenny first projected Exhibitions us a private enterprise, they met with a good deal of ridicule and opposition. Many people seemed to think there was some peculiar sanctity in governmental authority and control over Exhibitions, and they could not readily bring themselves to believe that the very same articles, displayed in the very same way, could mako as attractive a show, or answer tho same purpose, under private management as under official management. Messieurs J'oubcrb and Twopenny were very commonly — and certainly most unjustly — stigmatised as "adventurers" — in an unfavorable sense— and it was boldly predicted that their Exhibitions would be nothing but a paltry collection of second-rate shop-fronts. Confident in the success of their own plans, however, they persevered undaunted by the discouragement of those to whom they were in no wise accountable for their proceedings ; and all in good time they did what they had undertaken to do and did it very well ; They gave a great deal of harmless pleasure to a great many people, they stimulated competition, they encouraged enterprise, they introduced new ideas, they. set an example of energy and organization, and they afforded unwonted facilities to both buyers and sellers of a great variety of commodities. They did all this, moreover, ■entirely by their own resources. They gave good consideration for all that they received, and instead of being under any obligation to the public, they put tbe public under an obligation to

bein. Having done all this, they found up their affairs and went their vay, leaving nobody anything to say igaiust them. Yet, somehow, there vas a good deal said against them, and vhen it was made known tbut Mr Foubert was going to hold an Exbibiiou at Calcutta, many unkind things' vere hinted about it in New Zealand, uul there was a pretty general impression that it would be si failure. The Soveruiiient took no steps for having :his colony represented in it, and for reasons which it is not easy to explain, there was a decided tendency here to Ljivo it the cold shoulder. We thought lit the time that this was a very great pity ; and we think bo more than ever now. Tlie Calcutta Exhibition is pronounced a brilliant success ; and there is no doubt that it would have answered the purpose of New Zealand uncommonly well to be effectively represented in it. The truth is, it is a mere question of time when the prejudice against privately conducted Exhibitions will die away, and it will come to be recognised that that is the proper principle. We arc quite ready to admit that the medals, certificates of merit, and so forth, awarded at these Exhibitions are not worth much. But, we would ask, what are the awards of State Exhibitions worth '? Every manufacturer of mustard, or pickles, or starch, or floor-cloth, or candles, or cod liver oil, nowadays, sports a whole row of gold, silver and bronze medals which he has gained at London, Paris, Vienna, Philadelphia, Melbourne or where not. Anyone must be very unsophisticated indeed whose soul ia awed by baubles like these. It is said that the awards at privately conducted Exhibitions are not impartial, that the judges may be influenced by other considerations than the sterling comparative merits of the exhibits. That may or may not be the case. But are officials altogether inaccessible to " influences " and totally impervious to " considerations " ? We trow not. The magnificent Fisheries Exhibition recently held in London was under the most august auspices. It was 11 Government institution, and the countenance of Royalty was freely given to it. Kings and Potentates honored it with their presence. Princes and Princesses took an active part in its affairs. " The Waleses " almost lived in it. Any "'Any " could get on quite easy terms with " Halexandria " there. The nobility pervaded the place. The leaders of science took it under their special patronage. Yet, after all, we learn, the distribution of honors has given so much dissatisfaction that an indignation meeting has been held, and a deputation has been appointed to wait on the Government and protest against the awards. Messieurs Joubert and Twopenny would have done better than that !