COMMISSIONERS:

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 213, 7 February 1866, Page 3

COMMISSIONERS:

Sir Eedmond Barbt, Knt., President. Hon. George Harker Hon. G. F. Verdon Hon. J. F. Sullivan Sir James Palmer, Knt. ' Hon. C. J. Jenner, M.L.C. Hon. Wm. Degraves, M.L.C. Sir Francis Murphy, Knt. S. H. Bindon, Esq., M.L.A. J. C. Eiddell, Esq., M.L.A. J. T: Smith, Esq., M.L.A. Edward Cope, Esq., M.L.A. Eev. J. J. Bleasdale, D.D. "Thomas Black, Esq. Ferdinand Mueller, Esq., F.E.S. Professor McCoy Phipps Turnbull, Esq. ■:kj Charles E. Bright, Esq.. . T. J." Sumner, Esq. . Egbert McDougall, Esq. •His Excellency Sir Chables Darling, having been pleased to issue a Commission, authorising the above-named persons to take the necessary steps for managing and. conducting an International Exhibition, to be held in Melbourne, the Honorable the Chief Secretary of Victoria addressed himself to the Governments of the various Dependencies of the Crown in Australasia, inviting their cordial cooperation, i" -U Highly encouraging replies have been received: these convey a^ well-founded assurance that the project of instituting a series of exhibitions of Natural Products, General Industries and Art, to be heldm succession in the several Australian Colonies, has been accepted in a spirit which acknowledges the truth ofthe proposition, that such exhibitions would " prove of public advantage alike to all. The Commissioners are conscious, however, that it is not sufficient to rely solely on the good intentions and proferred support of the respective Governments. They deem it right to appeal to the public spirit of the different communities. They have now the honor, therefore, to invoke the earnest assistance of their fellow subjects, not only of those who dwell in "Victoria, but of those also resident m the other British Colonies in these seas, to aid them in furtherance of the design, and they do sowithaconfidentexpectationthat the appeal will be considered worthy of a generous encouragement. The Commissioners do not propose to demonstrate by labored arguments the benefits which must arise almost unbidden from a comprehensive, well-directed organization, for such a purpose of the mhabitants of these regions, so favored by Divine Providence—those benefits are elf-appaTent. They desire, however, to impress upon all thoughtful and energetic persons the necessity for engaging actively m its support. An opportunity for united exertion, such as is now afforded, is of a character eminently interesting. Exhibitors will be undismayed by the manifold disturbing influences^ which encumber a competition with the populous and opulent societies of the old world, will be unaffected by the innumerable distractions which, in the perplexing variety of European exhibitions, call away the mind of the beholder from objects purely Colonial. •Although the contemplated display cannot vie with the splendor of those which excite the rivalry ox nations, purposes of the highest utilitarian and social importance to those immediately concerned may be thereby served. A searching and penetrating attention may be concentrated on our mineral treasures, portions only of the boundless stores of which have been hitherto brought to light ;— on improved economic methods of winning them from the earth, and applying them to the ends for which they "are intended ;— on the sources ol wealth which, in their raw state, abound on the sur&ce oiour soils, in the rivers, and in the waters which encircle our coast ;— and on the rare excellencies and peculiar development, in different latitudes, under different conditions of culture, of those products which successful enterprise has introduced amongst us, rendering us already independent of many countries, and enabling us to contribute to the necessities, the comforts, and luxuries oi most. , A deliberate comparative survey may be made of the results flowing from the adoption of the liberal Arts happily domiciled in these climes, and the exercise of those useful manufactures which genius, self-reliance, and perseverance, have established in lands so suitable for their natural vigorous growth. . A diligent compilation ot the statistics of the actual products and of the productive capabilities of d^eren colonies will form a most valuable fund ol information. Such, with many other engaging comparisons and combinations, may occupy most profitably the intelligent observation of those who associate themselves in the undertaking; while all who enter heartily Into the cause, will doubtless be impelled to further efforts, conducive to a still inore extensive and intimate acquaintance df the colonists with each other, theVextoansion of the limits of their practica. knowledge, and the increase of their fc&teria! prosperity; convinced that the periodic recurrence of such opportunities for amicable contention are calculated to generate sentiments of mutual respect, and perpetuate those reciprocal feelings ofesteem and friendship which should ever animate subjects of the great nation from which we are sprung. On behalf of the Commissioners, Eedmond Barry, President.