The Government Exhibition Scheme.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5165, 21 November 1884, Page 4

The Government Exhibition Scheme.

♦ [Pee Press Association.] [Subjoined is a full report of the statement made by Sir Julius Yogel yesterday, in reference to the projected Industrial Exhibition. An outline appeared in our Second Edition of yesterday : — WELLINGTON, Nov. 20. A deputation, consisting of representative manufacturers belonging to the Wellington district, waited on the Colonial Treasurer at noon to-day, to ascertain the intentions of Government with reference to the New Zealand Industrial Exhibition to be held in Wellington next year. Sir J. Yogel, in reply, said Government were very much obliged to the deputation for having sought this interview, and were pleased to find that such an active interest was being displayed regarding the matter. Of course, the best security that could be given for the success of the Exhibition, was that the people of the Colony, not only in Wellington, but elsewhere, should first of all take an interest in it. It would be remembered by those who were in the House at the time, that he stated that the £1000 on the Estimates for the Exhibition was an estimate of the work required up to March 31 next, and would not cover tho whole expenditure; nevertheless, he did not wish it to be understood that he agreed with those who thought that £1000 would be a mere drop in the bucket, for this might seem to indicate that Government contemplated something of which they had not at present any intention. They proposed to have au inexpensive exhibition of a Colonial character, and while he was quite prepared to admit that JB IOOO would not cover the whole cost, they must not lose sight of the fact that there would be receipts for space, admission, rights to sell refreshments, and other sources, so that the total cost in. the end should not be very large. With regard to the question of imported articles, he had already said it was the intention of Government to make the Exhibition thoroughly Colonial, and to deal with industries which could be carried out here. The Exhibition, it was hoped, would show the Colony the present condition of the industrial development within the Colony, and succeeding Exhibitions would show what improvements had been made in the various manufactures. This Exhibition was intended as a type of future ones, and the idea was in every way to utilise as much as possible existing .pj.uldings for the purposes of the3e Exhibitions, making such additions as might be necessary. In the present case the Drillshed was considered to be a very suitable place for the Exhibition, but he was in hopes it would not be sufficiently large, and additions would have to be made. In making those -additions, the object of course would be with a view to economy, though not in such a manner as would fail to render the Exhibition an efficient representative of the industries of the Colony. Two kinds of machinery would have to be at work to render the Exhibition successful. The one, an executive department, which would have the control of all the arrangements in connection with the Exhibition ; and the other, that which would rest with the manufacturers themselves in the way of 'coming forward and making exhibits. It was proposed to take advantage, if they would permit Government to do so, of the Industrial Associations which were organised in different parts of the Colony, in reference to those particular parts of the Colony. There was an Industrial Association in Christchurch, and he believed there was one at Dunedin and Auckland, and it might be within the bounds of possibility for one to be constituted in Wellington. These Industrial Associations would be mediums between the executive body of the Exhibition and the manufacturers. Where there was no special organisation in tho shape of such an Association, manufacturers would doubtless constitute themselves into' committees for the purpose. At the same time, they would have going round the Colony a gentleman who was already experienced inthe matter of Exhibitions. He was already at the Bluff working his way upwards, and would put himself in communication with the Associations, and render assistance in stimulating manufacturers to come forward v.-ith their exhibits. The gentleman he referred to was Mr Callis. All exhibitors would be precisely on the same footing, no matter what part of the Colony they came from. Government proposed to give thou: carriage and freight free to and from the Exhibition, and to some extent to render assistance in regard to fittings. They proposed to make a small charge for space, otherwise applications could not be kept within reasonable bounds. In some cases it might be desirable, perhaps, that imported articles should be exhibited for the" purpose of instruction, but they would not take part in competition, and would only be exhibited under special circumstances. The same remarks applied to the class of goods which were sometimes assumed to be Colonial manufacture — a class of goods where fittings were sent from Home, and merely put together in the Colony, and could hardly be considered Colonial industry. On the other hand there would be machinery, some particular parts of which might require to be imported, and in these cases some discrimination would be exercised, and there would also be a disposition to admit philosophical apparatus illustrative of scientific education. Going back to the question of an Executive Body, it was hoped that in each place where the Exhibition was held a Committee would be formed of a number of gentlemen who would take an interest in promoting the success of the Exhibition. Generally the duties of the Committee would be, not to undertake expenditure itself, but to recommend to Government from time to time objects for which it considered expenditure should be undertaken. Government would ask it to take under its charge ceremonials in connection with the various phases through which the Exhibition would go, and also to advise from time to time with the Industrial Department, which would take charge of the expenditure, subject to Ministerial control. They would also take a share in the allotment of space and appointment of jurors — a very important point. It was proposed that the Exhibition should be opened on Saturday, August 1 ; and therefore it was necessary that subOonimittees should be arranged as soon as. convenient, and that the Central Committee should have sufficient strength to enable these to be formed. Decisions of jurors were always fruitful sources of complaint ; and I Government thought the appointment of jurors should bo mainly and largely i arranged by exliibitoi-3 themselves, afded j by the various Industrial Associations and - by the Committee of Management in Wellington. As far as possible, Government i desired to have as little say in this matter tas they could. In connection with the ' Exhibition, it was proposed to attach to i most of the classes, if not all, a badge of i particular merit, in the shape of a gold I medal ; and medals should be given only in I cases in which it was considered there was ; someone worthy to receive it, to be a special '. recognition, not only of excellence of the manufacture, but its capability to be j economically manufactured in the Colony, J and to be made the basis of a large industry ; and also in connection with the recipient's services which might have been [ rendered in the promotion of industries in the Colony. To these it was proposed to attach the privilege of enabling a son or daughter, nephew or niece, to be awarded a scholarship, which woidd bring with it the right to secondary education for a period of eight years. This should be a very great incentive to manufacturers. As to the Drillshed, this matter was not absolutely decided, but would be further considered. The classes into which it was contemplated to divide exhibits were not absolutely settled. It was proposed to divide the Exhibition into

five different departments. Tlie first would be textile fabrics, &c, such as (a) thread fabrics, (b) woollen goods, (c) silk fabrics, (d) lace embroidery and trimming, (c) hosiery, (f) clothing, (g) jewellery. The second department would embrace raw and manufactured products, forest products, furniture, &c, fisheries, &c, agricultural products (not for food), chemicals and leather, &c. The, third department would comprise machinery, tools, implements, agricultural apparatus, machines in general, paper-making machines, carriages, harness, railway apparatus, telegraph apparatus, engineering, agricultural, &c. The fourth department would embrace elementary products, farinaceous products, seeds, bread, fatty substances, meat and vegetables, condiments, fermented drinks, &c. The fifth department would comprise mmmg 'apparatus and methods, mining products", metallurgical works, chemical works in connection with mining, &c. It would be the careful desire of the Government not to conflict with the various agricultural exhibitions throughout the country, and they hoped Agricultural Societies would see their way to assist them in scouring the success of these exhibitions.