AN IMPORTANT EXHIBITION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9093, 20 May 1908, Page 4

AN IMPORTANT EXHIBITION.

The Franco-British Exhibition, for which such gigantic preparations have been undertaken, was opened at Shepherd's Bush, London, last week, by the Prince of Wales. A curiousfapt in connection with the Exhibition is the apparent lack of interest taken in it by the people of this Dominion. Although the first sod of the grounds of the Franco-British Exhibition was cut over sixteen months ago it is only during the last month or so prior to the opening that the Exhibition has received any special prominence this country. Nevertheless the Exhibition is one of great importance to New Zealand, as tlje display in the Colonial section should be the means of bringing our varied productions conspicuously before the eye of the British public. Though I only two nations with their dependencies will be represented at the Exhibition, it is expected to be on a more extensive and magnificent scale than any which have hitherto teen heli 1 . The great duel of 1908 will be that of friendly rivalry between two of the leading nations of the earth for artistic and industrial supremacy. It is a pleasing fact that from the first moment that the idea of holding the Exhibition was mooted, it was strongly supportecl'by the leaders of public opinion in both countries. The site; near Shepherd's Bush, is a convenient one in the western suburbs of the city, it is easily accessible by several electric railways, and is besides at the centre of a network of tramways and omnibus routes, affording connection with all parts of London, and the near and far suburbs. It is estimated that the various methods of transport are capable of conveying to the spot nearly one million visitors per day. Twenty pilaces of architectural beauty have bee i erected for housir g the exhibits, which are a marvel and thoroughly fire proof. Spacious exhibition iialls, each 70 feet wide by 400 feet long, occupy a total of four acres. The French committee has secured one-half of these buildings, which are devoied to their exhibits. The Colonial halls are a feature of the Exhibition. The finest id a building of 120,000 square feet, which the Government of Canada has erected at a cost of £65,000. Ceylon occupies a space similar to that of Canada, Australia 80,000 square feet, while New Zealand and tic Crown Colonies, each separately represented, cover 10,000 feet. The Fiench Colonial section occupies 275,000 square feel. Special attention has, also, been given to the musical arrangements, which will be on a scale of magnitude unprecedented at any exhibition ever held in London. To many th? important annexes to the remarkable elxhioition, ths Olympian games and the International Sports Exhibition, two distinct organisations, will be more attractive. The Olympic, games, after an interval of 1,500 years, were revived in Athens in 189G, and were held in Paris in 1900,, at St. Louis in 1904, and will be held in London this year in the great stadium expressly erected for the purpose, holding about 80,000 people. It is expected that 22 nations will be represented at the Olympian games. Visitors to the Old Country this year will have, in addition to the ordinary attractions of the visit, an opportunity of visiting a remarknblo Exhibition ard gimes, which are unlikely to be held again at Home for some years to come.