THE PHILADELPHIA EXHIBITORS IN 1876.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 69, 20 August 1874, Page 4

THE PHILADELPHIA EXHIBITORS IN 1876.

M. Jules Joubert, secretary of [the Agricultural Society of N.S.W., writes as follows to the Argus ; When about leaving Sydney on leave of absence a few weeks ago. the executive committee of the Agricultural Society of New South Wales requested me to use my best endeavors to bring together if possible the whole of the Australian colonies in order that they might eti manse make a proper representation of their products at the great gathering which the Americans are preparing at Philadelphia, U.S., to celebrate in 187(5 the centennial anniversary of the independence of the United States.

On my arrival at Adelaide (South Australia), and with the assistance of the press, I laid the matter before the South Australian public. Several meetings were held in order that some plan of action might be at once adopted. The Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Manufactures, and the Royal Agricultural Society, joined in the movement.

On the 17th inst, at a final meeting, where the abovenamed bodies were fully represented, the following resolutions were carried :

1. That this raectiug sympathise with the views expressed by Mr Joubcrt, on behalf of the Agricultural Society of New South Wales, in reference to a united representation of the Australian colonics at the International Exhibition proposed to be held in Philadelphia in the year 1870. “ 2. That a deputation wait upon the Chief Secretary to point out the ‘desirableness of the Australian colonies uniting for the purpose of obtaining an adequate representation at the exhibition of Philadelphia in 1876, and to request the Government (as a preliminary step) to remit the further consideration of the question to the international committee now in existence.”

In terms of the above resolution, a deputation waited upon the hon the Chief Secretary on the 20th of July. The Hon A. Blyth willingly acceded to the request to remit the question to the International Exhibition Commissioners, and expressed a hope that an early meeting of the commission would be convened to consider so important a matter. Finding that in Melbourne you have no chamber of manufactures, and that the National Agricultural Society confines its operations to matters strictly pastoral and agricultural, I am unable to commence my work through the medium of established bodies, such as I found in full operation in Adelaide, the ou'y course left is by craving your cooperation, and sufficient space in your journal to lay before the public of Victoria a few extracts from the official programme issued by the projectors of the forthcoming American Exhibition of 187 G. On the 21st of February, 1873, the Centennial Commission laid before the Congress a report, from which we perceive that “the Exhibition is to be opened on the 19th of April, 1870, and closed on the 19th of October follow! ng. “That Customs regulations shall relieve all articles intended for the exhibition from any tax or import duties, and facilitate the immediate forwarding of packages arriving at ports of entry, addressed to the commission, according to regulations, without Custom-house examination being made until their arrival at the Exhibition-building, which shall be constituted a bonded warehouse.

“It is further proposed that any one specimen article exhibited will be exempt from import duty, even if sold in the United States, providing it shall remain in the Exhibition until the closing thereof.” The direct and rapid communication now existing between Australia and the United States of America has brought into daily contact two countries whose interests are in almost every respect identical. Like the Americans, we possess an immense territory, abounding in as yet untold resources. We need hands to develop these resources, and, above all, we require to give publicity to the fact of our “ being.” Unfortunately the majority of our people, and I am sorry to say, some of our most enlightened colonists, men occupying high and influential positions, labor under the fatal error that Australia is known abroad. There are many who even think that ihe populations of Europe and America enter into the minutest details of following the absurd and petty jealousies existing between these colonies.

The time has come to abandon for ever such narrow-minded notions. South Australia has already taken the initiative, a Bill for the free interchange of products has passed through the Legislature, which I am pleased to see has been favorably received in New South Wales and New Zealand.

This, indeed, is progress—progress in the right direction. Unity of action among the Australian colonies will always prove beneficial. The opportunity offered to them to go hand in hand to the centennial exhibition of Philadelphia should not be allowed to pass without making an earnest effort to go there, not as we did in Paris, Loudon, or Vienna, where each colony had a small department—disjointed, poorly filled, and difficult to find even for the Australian in search of the products of his country. The programme of the Philadelphia Exhibition states :—“ This exhibition is to be international and universal, inasmuch as all nations are invited to participate in it, and because it will include a representation of all natural and artificial products, all arts and manufactures, and industries, all the varied results of human skill, thought, and imagination. It is intended that ample space shall be assigned to each state, territory, and foreign country. Fifty square acres of floor space under roof will be provided for this purpose.” Applications for space, I see, must be forwarded to the commissioners before the month of September, 1870. One of tlie most important articles wehave to bring forward before the American buyers is our staple wool. It is therefore necessary for the sheep-breeders who intend to send sample bales to Philadelphia in April, 1870, to select the fleeces at the shearing now about to commence. In all other branches it is advisable that exhibitors should have time to prepare. We have generally failed in our sending exhibits to other countries by delay or procrastination ; then, at the eleventh hour, making hasty shipments, often arriving after the opening of the show, thus losing the prestige of the “first impression.”

I will not enter into the discussion of the significance and value of such exhibitions, their beneficent influences are many and widespread ; they advance human knowledge in all directions; through the universal language of the products of labor, the artisans of all countries hold communication, ancient prejudices are effaced, nations fraternise. As it has been justly remarked by an intelligent American (Mr Seward) —“ Such exhibitions have become national necessities and duties, and as such it may be expected that they will be repeated again and again hereafter.” We have invited all the colonies in the Australasian group to join us to go to this great gathering as one nation. I have given you the purport of what South Australia has done ; the miscarriage of the Western Australian mails deprives me of the hon Mr Barlee’s reply, but I have sufficient grounds to say that Western Australia will heartily co-operate with New South Wales. Ere I return to Sydney the executive committee of our society will be in possession of replies from our northern neighbor. I trust the “ Victorians ” will at a glance see what importance the Philadelphia Exhition will have in bringing before the Americans the excellence of their wool, their wine, timbers, and the extraordinary advanced state of fine arts, industries, and manufactures. From that exhibition we shall in return bring back to Australia a store of information which will prove of great value to all.