The Globe. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1879.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1557, 14 February 1879, Page 2

The Globe. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1879.

The Government have intimated to the Chamber o£ Commerce that they have been appointed to act as a local committee for Canterbury in connection with the Sydney Exhibition. So far that is satisfactory, but, although a body of local control is thus formed, it will ho well for tho public at largo not to drop their interest in tho matter. As already stated, the amount sot aside by tho Government for tho expenses of tho representation of New Zealand amounts to £2OOO. Of course, this sum will have to be divided between the various districts. Wellington will, probably, receive the lion’s share, and wo may, perhaps, look forward to receiving some £2OO. Past experience in connection with these exhibitions has taught us that, if we intend to do tho thing at all well—and unless we so do it, we had better leave it alone—it means tho expenditure of money. The carriage of goods, and tho hundred expenses contingent on tho collection of articles for exhibition, would absorb a far greater amount than that likely to be placed at our disposal by the Government. This, we think, may he taken for granted, and, such being tho case, it ho comes necessary to consider from what source the necessary funds can ho procured. That it will be a benefit alike to tho colony as a whole, and to the several provincial districts, as parts, to he well represented at the Sydney Exhibition no one will deny. The great colonial show will draw together a very large number of visitors from all parts. It is not colonial exclusively; other European countries have notified their intention of exhibiting, and will send representatives whose duty it will bo to take notice of the products of those colonies for the information of their respective peoples. The advantages of New Zealand as a field for the capitalist, as a home for the industrious mechanic and labourer, will bo illustratively brought before them by its products. More than this—-on such occasions as those there are generally visitors who have in view the establishment of new industries by tho outlay of their capital in some country whore the raw material is to ho found. It is all important, therefore, that New Zealand should ho able to exhibit its products and resources to the very best advantage, and that every part of tho colony should set its shoulder to tho wheel in order that the New Zealand Court may ho at once attractive and instructive. It is absurd for people to say, “ Oh, mercantile people only benefit by those exhibitions”—that is an entire mistake. All classes must benefit by the development of our resources ; and this is one of the means which is afforded to us of lotting capitalists outside know what products really are hero waiting for development. It must bo remembered that to a groat many of the European nations Now Zealand, as an industrial field, is a perfect terra incognita. Wo were represented —after a fashioh —at Vienna, it is true, but colonists who were there say that our display was a disgrace to tho colony, and did not by any means convoy a just idea of the great resources of this country. At Paris, thanks to the false economy of the Government, wo wore not represented at

all, although wo ha d a Commissioner. Thus, practically, tho world outside tho little circle of Australasia, knows nothing of us commercially. In these days of progression avo cannot afford to allow this to continue. Wo cannot shut ourselves up like a snail in his shell and ho content with such tardy and imperfect development as wo can work out for ourselves. Wo have marbles, minerals of various kinds, pottery clay of the finest description, and other products. All wo require is capital, and there would spring up great and remunerative industries employing largo numbers of jooplc, and thus carrying forward the work of colonisation. With specimens of tho above quoted and other raw products brought prominently before tho representatives assembled at Sydney, it is not too much to expect that ere long practical results would ensue. An opportunity now presents itself of placing our possessions before tho world, and avo Avish to impress upon all tho importance of taking advantage of it. But, as avo have pointed out above, it requires both money and the hearty co-operation of exhibitors and the public at largo. Wo would suggest that his Worship tho Mayor should bo requested to call a public mooting at an early date to consider what steps shall bo adopted to secure an efficient representation of Canterbury at the Sydney Exhibition, and that moans should bo taken to raise funds for the purpose of supplementing tho Government grant. Tho sub-committee which has boon appointed by the Chamber of Commerce Avould find its hands strengthened by such a course. Tho matter should bo hurried on. The mere notifying and preparation of exhibits takes up a great deal of time, so that tho sooner avo sot to Avorlc tho better.