To the Editor.

Sir,—The proposal I put forth to hold a purely New Zealand Exhibition in London has been termed a "bold scheme." I fail to see anything approaching boldness in it.

Exhibitions are now mere business ventures. This is the age of advertising. The greater the ad. the greater the profit. Advertising is the commercial translator, or rather synonym for "blowing"—a system of advertisement which has in some instances proved eminently successful to some of your neighbours.

No one will for a moment dispute the fact that this Colony possesses all the requisites to make it a most thriving country in every respect. All it wants is judicious advertising. That is what I propose should be done.

The next question arises—the cost. On this point I must beg to differ from you. The cost of an exhibition depends in a great measure on the basis upon which it is started, as well as the amount of sympathy it enlists. No better example of this can be given than the cost of the present Exhibition as compared with the Melbourne Centennial. If this is an age of advertising it is also an age when co-operation systems prevail in all public as well as private undertakings. Aide toi et Dieu t' aidera is the motto I have long pinned my faith on.

One of the characteristics prevailing in this community (due no doubt to the origin of its inhabitants) is "clanship' Whether this extends further than the limits of Otago remains to be proved.

In order to sound the public opinion on the "scheme," I have had a thousand copies of it printed, posted to all parts of New Zealand with a short circular inviting criticism and soliciting co-operation.

Within the last fortnight I have received some scores of replies—the largest majority favourable, some indeed most flattering, and even those who somewhat dissent from the proposal are, like yourself, acting with caution, advise further consideration and offer suggestions which I may at once acknowledge most gratefully; these suggestions will meet with due consideration when the time comes to go into details.

page 11

It would take too much of your valuable space to enter now into details; principally those referring to revenue and expenditure of this proposed exhibition in London; suffice it to say that I have gone most carefully over the cost, and provided we can secure a suitable locale in either the Colonial Institute or the South Kensington Museum I am prepared to guarantee that the sum I have named (£20,000) will more than cover the outlay.

As to making a display worthy of this colony, and which would attract the attention of the British public, one need only look at what has been done here on a very, very small scale indeed to feel quite convinced that when a call is made for a National Exhibition every province in New Zealand will respond right cordially.

I am quite aware that in going to Loudon we go as New Zealand only; but from what I have already heard on the subject, I feel quite confident that we should have enough to cover an area exceeding that of the Dunedin show, exclusive of foreign element.

In conclusion, I may tell you that I have written to London, and ere long may receive by cable sufficient information relating to either South Kensington or the Colonial Institute, also what chance of success the scheme would have.

It is most gratifying so far to see that there has not been one dissenting opinion as to the principle, though several correspondents, as well as your leader in to-day's "Otago Daily Times," may tend to throw a sprinkling of cold water on it. Still you all agree that the principle is sound, that the results will undeniably benefit the colony. The details, I think, might be left to those into whose hands the Government in their wisdom will place the management.

If my share of the work does not go further than propounding the scheme, I shall be much gratified to think that in so doing I have in a small way requited the many courtesies and genial hospitality I and mine have received since we landed in this glorious country of yours.—I am &c.,