The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1889. THE JUBILEE EXHIBITION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2072, 25 February 1889, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1889. THE JUBILEE EXHIBITION.

Mr Twopeny, who, by his long association with M. Joubert m the ex ploiting of such undertakings, is exceptionally well qualified for his task as Executive Commissioner of the New Zealand Jubilee Exhibition, has entered upon the work con amore f and it will certainly not be his fault if the Exhibition fail of success. But happily there is every indication that it will realise the most sanguine anticipations of its promoters, Mr Twopeny's report of the result of his recent mission to Australia m connection therewith being ot a highly encouraging nature. It is true that he expects but little support from New South .Wales or Queensland, but he states that he has secured a large number of British, Victorian, and South Australian, exhibits, indeed, the number of exhibits from England alone will be so large that the Commissioners are recommended to call for tenders for the construction of a building fonr times as large as that which was erected ior the : Industrial Exhibition at Wellington. The loan collection of British art exhibited at Melbourne could be secured if the necessary funds were forthcoming, but the cost is apparently prohibitory. However, as fifty of the best pictures could be procured for an outlay of £2000 it is to be hoped that the Government will see their way to assist the Exhibition Commissioners m doing this by providing half the cost as proposed. Mr Twopeny also suggests, as another way of securing an excellent collection of the works of British and foreign artists, the establishment of an Art Union for #5000 m connection with the Exhibition, a suggestion whiph there ought to be no difficulty iv carrying into effect. While, therefore, there is apparently good prospect of the Exhibition itself being something well worth going to see, it is still more satisfactory to learn that the object underlying it, viz., the attraction of visitors to our shores, promises to be fully attained, for Mr Twopeny says that " the most gratifying aspect of his Australian visit waß the evidence afforded on all sides that the Exhibition would attract an altogether unexpected number of visitors from Australia ; not, he says, that they will come to see the Exhibition, but that £he Exhibition will afford an excuse for the visit, especially if, as m probable, three thousand-ton steamers are put on to run direct from Sydney to Auckland, and Melbourne to the Bluff m three and a half days." He also states that "arrangements are being made with Bishop £elwyn and other missionaries, now at the Anglican Synod and Wesleyan Conference, Dunedin, to procure South Sea exhibits, and no atone will be left unturned to develop this department," and he urges on ISew Zealand correspondents to Australian papers the deßirsb'Hty of keeping the progress of the Exhibition before the Australian publio with the object of increasing th© number of visitors. Mr Twopeny's news is satis factory, and his advice good, and it remains for the people and the Government of the colony to do their part. Our manufacturers and producers should see to it that their wares and products are amply and worthily represented, so that visitors to the Exhibition may be able to learn what are New Zealand's resources and capabilities, and the Government should see to it that there is a full and complete exposition of its mineral wealth, and above all that facilities are afforded to our visitors to proceed to any and all parts of the colony both cheaply and expeditiously. If all this be done, then assuredly the Jubilee Exhibition will prove not only the best advertisment New Zealand has ever had, but also a colonising agency of the most effective kind.