Japan-British Exhibition.

Progress, Volume V, Issue 12, 1 October 1910, Page 16

Japan-British Exhibition.

The Japan-British Exhibition, which opened its doors without ceremony last May, has beauty, picturesqueness, and interest in such large measure as to assure success, and wandering amid its many delights on the beautiful blue day of May when the public were admitted, one felt even more acutely the loss of the King, which prevented the proposed Royal opening by his son. King Edward was most desirous of doing honour in every way to our Japanese allies, and their lavish expenditure of taste and skill, not to mention money in the stocking and embellishment of their section, well deserved signalling as was intended. Large numbers of visitors found

their way to Shepherd's Bush on Saturday, and on WMt Monday the crowds were greater still. Everyone was appreciative, and one heard comments everywhere upon the freshness and novelty of the exhibits, so many of them entirely strange to "Western eyes.

Reserving particular mention of the many interesting things to be seen in the British and Japanese sections, we may here say a word of the New Zealand Pavilion, noting, by tlie way, that in being unrepresented here the Commonwealth has missed a great chance of advertising its resources to visitors from all parts of the world.

The Dominion, as before mentioned, makes a very creditable show. Its pavilion, redecorated and replenished with new exhibits, is the same that King Edward, in company with the French President, visited in 1908, when Lord Knollys having declared that only two minutes could be spared to look through it, the King and

Royal party nevertheless remained for very nearly half an hour. By general consent it is established that this is the finest and most comprehensive exhibit the Dominion has ever had. All its products and attractions find some visible embodiment. One learns in a few minutes that it is a country rich in its flocks and herds, its grain fields, its forests, its mines, its orchards, its rivers, and its sporting lands. One sees, too, that its manufactures are not neglected, and the woollens, especially the splendid rugs in a central showcase, find many admirers. Everything in the court is arranged with an eye to the best effect ; and the result is so satisfactory that Sir John Cockburn called] on the High Commissioner to congratulate him on behalf of the executive of the Exhibition upon the appearance of the pavilion. Among the things of special beauty to be seen are Mrs. Nielsen's wonderful collection of kauri gum specimens, rich in colour, of marvellous amber polish, and of all degrees of translucency. Queen Alexandra took great interest in these specimens when she visited the court in 1908, An infant*