INTERCOLONIAL EXHIBITION.

Southland Times, Issue 544, 20 August 1866, Page 6

INTERCOLONIAL EXHIBITION.

The Intercolonial Exhibition to be held in Melbourne in October next, is an event the importance of which cannot be estimated. tJnlike any previous colonial Exhibition, all of which have been Fancy Fail's rather than Exhibitions of colonial productions — advertisements for the retailers of imported goods, instead of aiding materially in bringing the great natural resources of the colonies under the notice of all nations. This was perhaps all that could have been expected from the first efforts of so young a country, but things have now changed. Victoria no longer desires by an Exhibition to produce a favorable impression on the people of the old countries for itself alone, but has more honorable ambition, viz. :^-the united collection of specimens of the produce of all the Australias, in order that they may be united at the great Paris Exhibition, 1857. It is imposssble to exaggerate the world-wide benefits which have sprung from the Exhibition of 1851, and from even the lesser attempts that have been made in the colonies.- The. New Zealand Exhibition, held in Duuedin last year, although not equal in attractions to what had been expected, was of great and positive use ; it called together representative men from all the Provinces and not a few from the neighboring colonies, and the information each received Berved to dispel error and improve acquaintance. The Intercolonial Exhibition of 1866 is intended to be carried out strictly as a united Australasian contribution to the International Exhibition of France. Will New Zealand make an etfori? to put in a respectable appearance. Tlie products of this colony are more numerous "and varied than those of any other colony, and therefore should be well represented. In the International Exhibition \vj have the opportunity of advancing immigration more effectively than by agents pr lectures. Let every province in New Zealand dffits share and the advantages the colony presents to intending emigrants will become so transparent that great and immediate attention will be directed to every province. Can Southland send a contribution? We think she can, and one of no mean value, but thi& can only be done by a deep and general interest being taken in ~the matter. Victoria invites co-operation, $$qw South Wales, South Australia, and Queensland have heartuy responded to the call. Will New Zealand'do the same ? As yet the General Government has done next to nothing to insure the colony being adequately represented, and as far as we are informed Provincial Governments have not taken up the subject with that energy that the importance of the event demands. It is with a certain degree of satisfaction however, that we learn Southland will not be entirely unrepresented. The Chief Surveyor (Mr Bakib) has already forwarded maps,

!,■■■!■. Ji Hi.i *.■'■ |i"j.i iHJi'J'.l ' ■.■■inn a.iii|.ii*B.*n.iß <&0., and hiving been requested to arrange For the forwarding of exhibits, has Bent eireuhra to the wool-growera am! priiu'ip :1 produ era in Southland, solici'.ing contributions: ft nuii^B' 1 hnvo yr<nuis>:'d their lid, nnd it is likely that saMMuVs of wheat, oats, barley vya. wool nri»i"i.".iv«l flax, malt. oatmeal, flour, coal, limestone, gold, iron aaul (Pmhi P>rt William Stewart's Ishind), timber, brick*, tilt"*, and the like, will he tbrtlu'iiming. Thin is s> far encouraging, lv.it rn>re is require*], and we would urge a\\ who havo an mte rest in the progress of the Province to be up and doing. The inauguration of International Exhibitions will itnmortaliso the late Prince Coniort, and be remembered when his other worthy acts are forgotten. It haa served to break down the walls of partition between nations, to remove national prejudices that had long existed, curb the vaunting spirit of superiority among all nations, and make even the Australian colonies, as " familiar in the mouth as household words." If the colonies are to prove that they have the raw material and the skill to work it, they must unite to foster the International and Intercolonial Exhibitions which have become established institutions. It is to be hoped that New Zealand will not be the last to give evidence of its native productiveness and unlimited resources. In contributing to the Intercolonial Exhibition, we sha.l also ensure an appearance at the AngloFrench Exhibition, 1867. It is therefore urgent that steps should be at once taken to make Southland's exhibits as numerous and valuable as possible. Much of moment to the future is involved.