The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, NOV. 1, 1906. THE EXHIBITION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1920, 1 November 1906, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, NOV. 1, 1906. THE EXHIBITION.

The Now Zealand Exhibition at Christchurch opens to-day. Let our opinions bo what they may on the subject of an Exhibition of the kind, all must heartily join in wishing that the undertaking will prove a gigantic success. The affair is a colonial one, the success of which is of great importance to the colony, and the failure of which would be humiliating to all. Fortunately there in no fear of failure, though there is still an element of risk

as to complete success. From the moment the late Premier threw his whole weight into the project, and every facility that the State could provide in means or otherwise was guaranteed, there could bo no possibility of collapse, and even the little friction there has been may serve a useful purpose. While the subject of an Exhibition has loßg passed from tho realm of debate and has emerged from the erysallis stage into a grand consummation in practical form, it is interesting at this time to hark back to the theoretical stage. The late | Prime Minister declared: “ The

Zealand International Exhibition will bo an outward and visible sign to the world of our progress in fifty years.

It will mark our advancement in sciouco, art, industries, education, and in an improved and higher civilisation. By the Exhibition an impetus will bo givou to higlior education, secondary education, technical and primary education.” Many will bo inclined to question those representations as being merely of the imaginary ordor that might bo expected where wholehearted enthusiasm swept tho practical aside. And yot it is really upon tho enthusiasm of tho pooplo the siioeos of tho Exhibition will depond. They have so far ungrudgingly givon many thousands; every Btato Department has boon called upon to assist in ono form or another, and no sacrifice lias boon considered too great if thought necessary to ensure tho success of tho Exhibition. Without tho attendance of trio people, however, all these efforts would not bo sufficient. That tho pooplo aro talcing tho matter up heartily thoro can bo no doubt; from all parts of tho colony thoro will bo many visitors to the Exhibition, and those who from ono cause or another have to deny themselves the privilege of being present will fo-1 that it is their loss, and h ive nothing but the heartiest good wishes for tho success of iho Exhibition.

AMKSISO V AND JAPAN Inn grave situation that iiad arisen between the United .states and Japan scorns in a fair way towards settlement. Our cablegrams this morning indicate that President Roosevelt's promise to compel California to observe troaty obligations has given groat satisfaction in Japan. The shrewd statesmen of Japan also know well that a war with America is not to be thought of just now. Although flushed with her recent victories, Japan has still suffered in a manner from the exhausting struggle that will take years to recover from. A war with America would be vastly different to the struggle with Russia. Almost immediately Japan would find herself crippled in finances, and oven allowing for temporary victories it would not be long before America, with her boundless resources in wealth, means of manufacture, and ability to secure a splendid fighting force at short notice, would be in a position to deal severely with Japan at every point. Although there could be no question as to which Power would emerge victorious from such a conflict, there wouldspeedily be raised issues of great moment to the English-speaking people. The fact that the Japanese have been given rank as our allies could not stem the spirit of antipathy towards the Asiatics that would set in Japan is evidently determined to maintain what she considers her rights, and the instance of resenting the exclusion of Japanese children from the Californian schools is hut a solitary example of the burning questions that may arise any day. America is in the position both to enforce treaty rights and to regard with equanimity the bitter storm that is said to having been raging in Tokio owing to the offending of tiie Japanese susceptibilities. But what would bo the position of the Australasians under similar circumstances ? There is not likely to be any breach of treaty obligations on our part, hut there may any day occur some incident by which the wrath of Japan may bo aroused. Only recently there was an angry protest made against the exclusion of Japanese from the benefits of State loans to agriculturists in Queensland, and going further afield the trouble in British Columbia will be fresh in the minds. There can be little doubt among those who study the trend in these questions that the time is not far distant when the colonies must eithor give way on their policy of excluding Asiatics or be prepared to resist aggression A good deal has been made out of the troublo in California, but whether or not the gravity of the situation connected therewith has been exaggerated, the great issue lurking behind this irritation cannot be thrust from view. At present the resentment of tho Japanese is veiled by diplomacy, but year by year the new Power increases in strength, and with the aid

that may shortly be expected from China, the Asiatics will bo more eager to force their way on to the territory of an unwilling people. Incidents like that at California may sorve to arouse the people from their slumbers. In that case there was justice on the side of the Japanese; but the spirit of resentment provides the same lesson whether the injustice be fancied or real,