The Globe. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1875.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 423, 20 October 1875, Page 2

The Globe. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1875.

The latest news from America concerning the Philadelphia Exhibition was to the effect that there was a probability that it would have to be postponed for some time, even if it did not fall through altogether. The local committee, for the purpose of procuring exhibits from Canterbury, met yesterday, and from the report of their proceedings it would appear that there is a very great apathy among our community with regard to the representation of this province at Philadelphia. Some few gentlemen are ready to forward parcels of different articles for exhibition, but the rules laid down by the Eoyal Commission of which Mr Mantell is chairman seem to have stood in the way of exhibitors. But, when we consider the number of circulars sent out by the committee, the few favourable replies which they have received appear to indicate that the Canterbury folks do not think it will be to their advantage to be represented in the American Exhibition. This is most noticeable with those interested in wool growing in this province. Out of one hundred and seven gentlemen to whom circulars were sent, only five deemed it worth while to reply in writing, and even then only one answer showed that the writer intended to exhibit. We confess we do not understand this. Are the wool-growers of Canterbury frightened at the competition to which they will be subjected at Philadelphia, from other provinces of IScav Zealand, or from Australia ? Some years ago there used to be a very fair business done between Canterbury and America in this our great article of export Surely our wool is no worse, and ii ought to be a great deal better, now than it was at that time. In this class of exhibits Canterbury should be able to make a respectable show in any exhibition, and it is not to the credit of our wealthy squatters who owe so much of their incomes to wool returns, that, as far as we can judge, as yet only onejman ap-

pears inclined to show what the province can produce in the article. There is the misapprehension again in this class as to the maximum quantity allotted to an exhibitor, and perhaps it is because they fancy that they cannot be worthily represented by the weight allowed that some of our wool growers do not care to forward samples. If so the decision of the chairman should relieve their minds on that score. Messrs Cunningham and Duncan wonld appear to have been more successful in their efforts to arrange for exhibits of grain, than the other subcommittees have been with their different subjects. It must not be forgotten that the show of cereals at Philadelphia, supposing the exhibition to be carried out, will probably be the largest and most varied ever seen in the world. The great grain-producing states of America will be represented, as a matter of course, and the Australians will not be satisfied unless the wheat, for which they are so justly famous, is shown against the American grain. It is not likely that New Zealand grain will be wanted in America, and therefore it is all the more to the credit of those who have determined that the colony shall not be unrepresented. The suggestion of the chairman that certain articles ought if possible to be selected at the Agricultural and Pastoral Associations’ Show will, we hope, be acted on. The show itself has gradually risen to a very high position, and different interests are represented in a manner which invariably surprises visitors from other parts of the colony. If the Commission can be prevailed upon to allow the time for forwarding exhibits to be extended, the province may after all be fairly represented in other departments besides those of corn and wool-growing.