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Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6504, 31 December 1881, Page 4

The lost newt which the old year sees published about the International Exhibition is that the date of its opening is fixed. Evidently the Exhibition project is a reality. On March 15 we aboil see a great gathering, and of course, many speeches. The flood of progressive, libera), international sentiments will be overpowering. The stranger when he gets rack to his hotel to wait lor his tom to dine in a struggling crowd, will carry with him the deep conviction that Canterbury is inhabited by a truly cosmopolitan race. Ho will, we take it, not have heard any whisper about the dispute which convulsed the mercantile and Industrial portions of the community before the charming unanimity of tho opening day was arrived at. No one will have the hardihood thentooonfeaa to the feelings of mistrust, whiohoaoeregardedanlnternational Exhibition, not only as fraught with destruction to tho cause ot focal industry, but as an engine for impoverishing the local shop-keeper to a moat soaring extent. At some other time it might be a profitable and amusing speculation to investigate tho reason why great Exhibitions always begin by testing tbo capacity for folly which » possessed by human nature. Tbo very first of tho series which has graced the last thirty yesrs of tho world’s life, was the occasion of the gravest alarm. The multitude ot foreigner* would corrupt good old England ; tho huge crowds would be so unmanageable that Ohartiam would toko immediate possession of the realm, bringing Whig* and Tories to a common and disgraceful end. These end other prejudices wsre only overcome by tho greatest tact, firmness and patience displayed by the Prince Consort, Robert Peel and others. The Exhibition of 1851 was, however, a remarkable success notwithstanding. As was the ease with that Exhibition, so has been the ease with every other. They ail have had their enemies, and their enemies have always distinguished themselves by their—let us mildly call it—want of common sense. Why this should be, will not, as we have hinted, be a profitable speculation to bring for* ward on March 15. 1882. The best thing and the truest that can be said of tho restoration of unanimity in industrial quarters. Is that if all International Exhibitions overcome the difficulties of opposition as easily and fairly aa the Qhristohuroh difficulties were overcome, nobody will have much to complain of. The importance that outsider* attach to the coming Exhibition is shown by tho fact that the Commodore of the Australian Squadron has promised to bring bis ships to Lyttelton in time to kt Ids officer* and men take part in the opening oeremonie*.,

It (• rat!»factoiy to t«d that Canterbury haa coal® to think with the outsider#, ofliuilfflootly.