NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1404, 13 December 1884, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

The following with regard to the Industrial Home Branch of the New Zealand Industrial Exhibition is published for general information ;—A comprehensive branch or class is required to include all industries developed with small expenditure within the schools and homes of the colony. To understand the nature of this class it is necessary to point out that desirable as it is to bring capital to the aid of labor, and much as the colony will in future depend on such union, yet a vast amount of wealth may be created within the homes of the people by occupations of all descriptions, which combine industry with amus-ment, and result in the production of articles of more or less value. The enjoyment which more or less accompanies occupation depends very much upon the work being varied. The occupation from which a livelihood is gained is apt to lose its attractiveness in the monotony which surrounds it. The child delights in playing at cooking, washing and other household duties which are more or less drudgery to those whose livelihood depends on them. So the man. who works eight hours at hia particular occupation is not likely to feel pleasure in prolonging within the twenty-four hours that especial work, yet he may intensely enjoy some different occupation, and none the less may ha enjoy it because it brings to him profit. That profit may not be actual money ; it may come to him in the adornment of his home, or in yielding to him increased home conveniences or comforts. One pennyworth of home work> day achieved oy 240,000 persons means LI,OOO a day, or over L3C0,000 within a year, either realised or the expenditure of the same saved. It would be a mistake to overlook such industries in exhibitions which aspire to deal with the occupations of the people on the smallest, as well as on the largest, scale within the Exhibition itself. It will be impossible to deal with the most obvious and fruitful of home industries, the improvement of the home itself, and the land within which it stands. The local Agricultural - Societies may be better able to see their way to encourage such competition and to decide on its results if they will do so. It should be within the functions of the Exhibition 10 place at the disposal of those Societies a certain number of distinctions affiliated to the Exhibitions, to be dispensed to those whose homes are most conspicuous examples of the results which may be achieved by members of a family in their leisure hours. 1 shall be prepared to treat with local Societies disposed to undertake such a task, but the r xhibition tray take direct cognisance of the industry which'produces articles of a

portable nature capable of exhibition, and apace will be set apart for the purpose and distinct recognition given for excellence. This branch of the Exhibition will include articles manufactured by working men, together with articles made by women and children, and the word "article” includes works of art and ornament, as well as of usefulness. It will also be made to include

the recognition of excellence by artisans and mechanics. The large manufacturers and producers are necessarily dependent on the skill and exertions of those whom

they employ. They get the merit of their employers’ labor, and it could hardly be otherwise- The . whole factory depends on the judgment, skill and enterprise of the owners, and a great part of their skill is evidenced by their selection of able hands. It would be impossible to point to the different persona in the establishment to which the different results belong, but in the particular branch of

the Exhibition now under reference it is desired to give opportunities of distinction to individual artisans, and none should more welcome their success than their immediate employers. The following const!cute the classification of this branch, and it is to be distinctly understood that the actual workmen and workwomen ace in this branch to be the exhibitors;—Group I—Works of children not exceeding thirteen years of age. Group 2—Works of childreu net exceeding sixteen years of age. Group 3—(1) Works of art, (2) painting, (3) drawing, (4) sculpture, (5) carving, (6) art furniture. Group 4—Works of usefulness, of science, and of amusement, including philosophical apparatus aud models. Group 5—(1) Plain and art needlework, (2) dressmaking, (3) millinery, (4) upholstering, (8) tapestry, (6) embroidery, (7) knitting, (8) netting, (9) crochet, (10) lace, (11) spinning, (12) weaving, (13) straw, (14) plaiting, (15) leather work, Julius Vogel.