THAT INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

Observer, Volume XVI, Issue 950, 13 March 1897, Page 2

THAT INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

Are Our Manufacturers Asleep ?

These weeks ago we urged the expediency of holding an Industrial Exhibition in Auckland. We pointed out that, by such means, the Jubilee anniversary of the colony in 1900 might very fittingly be celebrated. We instanced the financial success of the recent Industrial Exhibitions at Christchurch and Wellington as a means of dispelling from timid minds the idea that each a venture is fraught with any serioas financial risk, and as justifying the assmnp tion that it would prove a highly profitable undertaking. And we also laid stress upon the far more pregnant fact that such an Exhibition would afford an excellent means of booming our local industries, by convincing our own people, as well- as visitors from other districts, that in very many of the requisites and comforts of life we can very effectually cater for ourselves, and in respect of price and quality of goods and manufacturing skill, may challenge comparison with the foreign producer.

But the appeal has apparently fallen on heedless ears. The habit is so engrained of hanging back for someone to step forward and take the initiative, that new and promising ventures are very often strangled at their inception. In this case, as we hinted before, it is futile to expect the Chamber of Commerce to offer any assistance or manifest any sympathy. The leading spirits of that body are the representatives of or partners in importing houses, and, of course, self-interest would impel them to throw cold wafer by bucketsful upon any scheme designed to advertise the superiority of local productions. If anything practical is to be evolved from the idea of an Exhibition, it is to the manufacturing interests we must look. It is they who are primarily interested, and if they are too supine or indifferent to take action they need not complain if trade is diverted into other channels than theirs. Their brethren of Christchurch and "Wellington have set them an object lesson by which they may profit considerably. It is for them to turn it to account.

On this subject of an Industrial Exhibition we have received the following letter from a correspondent : — ' Dear Sir, — Will yon allow me to say a few words on the subject of an Industrial Exhibition for Auckland, which your leading article of the 20th ult. advocates. While hoping that the suggestion will be taken up with an earnestness which must ensure Ruccess, there will be many of your readers who will groan at the thought of the late Wellington Bazaar being held up as an example. Granted, it was a financial success. Many a usurious storekeeper's business has been that, and, from similar principles, the Wellington Bazaar could not have been otherwise. Grasping niggardli-

. ness was the spirit of its total management — ' let's have a cash surplus ' the motto. Singers were held up to scorn wno would not give their services to the charity. Competitors in their contests were presented with medals which a boy would .turn up his nose at as prizes for a three-legged race,

' Side shows had from 30 to 50 per cent. of their takings demanded for a stand. Captain Sutton told me they asked 50 per cent, from him, and he stayed out. There was once a broom seller who met a rival considerably underselling him, so he stopped him and said, 'Well, old man, I dunno 'ow you manage it ; I steals the stuff. 1 ' Hoo,' replied the other, ' I steals mine ready made.' I think you will agree with me that to make a profit should not be the main consideration or proof of success.' By all means let's have our Exhibition. It will pay all right. But let us have it a success from the nature of its exhibits, the energy displayed in advertising our city to the world, and don't, Mr Editor, for God's sake, send for Mr Samuel Brown to lead ns to imitate the policy of the Wellington Bazaar.'

We are not sitting in judgment upon the management of the Wellington Industrial Exhibition, and therefore offer no opinion upon the methods they may have pursued, which, doubtlesa, are susceptible of other explanations than the one presented by our correspondent. At any rate it is just as well to remember that the men who projected the scheme, and took the initiative upon themselves, had to guarantee the £500 which earned a commensurate" subsidy from the Government, and were directly interested in ensuring a profitable retnrn to cover their liability. However, that is apart from our purpose in dealing with this subject. The Executive Committee of the Wellington Exhibition gained valuable experience in carrying their project to a successful isßue, and Mr Samuel Brown, as President of the Committee, is in a position to impart information which may guide those who undertake any similar movement here. No one has suggested that he^should be sent for, but he may be communicated with, and will doubtless, be quite willing to furnish any data that may be needed to work up a local enterprise of a kindred nature. There is no need for cheese-paring economies, and we again express our confidence that if the scheme be taken up with energy and spirit, it will not only yield a lucrative return, but will prove fruitful of solid advantages for our local industries.