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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 1ST APRIL, 1882.
As one of the oldest Colonial Powers, Holland would claim the privilege and the honour of taking the initiative in organizing a concours between the various colonizing peoples, such as has never yet taken place.
The Committee, selected for the execution of this project is convinced that an Exhibition of this kind, whilst spreading a new light on the Colonies in general, cannot fail to be of immense interest.
Much as has been done for stimulating the spirit of enterprise, and securing the success of fresh commercial designs, there still remains a great deal to achieve in propagating a vaster knowledge of those countries, whose inexhaustible wealth of the soil only wants knowledge and capital, those powerful levers of our age, in order to contribute most thoroughly to the universal prosperity.
There is perhaps no fitter medium for the spreading of more knowledge concerning Colonies than a Colonial Exhibition, where, with the aid of History and Science, is shown what those Colonies were and what they actually are.
The projected Exhibition will be subdivided into five great Departments :
1st. Colonial Exhibition.
2nd General Export-Exhibition.
3. Retrospective Exhibition of Fine Arts and Arts applied to Industry.
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Special Exhibitions.
5. Scientific Lectures and Meetings.
ART. 1. The Colonial Department forms the main basis of the Exhibition.
A comparative inquiry into the various systems of Colonization, of tropical Agriculture, of the Exploitation of the treasures of the soil, promises to be a useful and original labour, worthy of the general interest.
This Exhibition should not be limited to a mere show of materials and products, but must also offer an opportunity of comparing the manners and customs of the natives of the Transatlantic regions. Public Works and Means of conveyance, as being the foundations of prosperity and civilization should from part of the Exhibition.
It is likewise thought desirable to represent specimens from the fauna and flora of the Colonies, as images of the luxuriant nature of the tropical countries.
Finally the Army and Navy, those bulwarks of liberty, should not be wanting.
ART. 2. The second Department will contain all that belongs or relates to the General Export - Trade. A vast space will be set apart for Industry as applied to the transformation of matter, whilst Industry and Commerce will find ample opportunity for honest competition.
ART. 3. In the third Department will be exhibited specimens of Art from the remotest times, as an instructive picture of the ideas that have existed, with regard to them, among the original peoples and how these ideas have been developed under the influence of civilization.
A comparative inquiry into the fine arts of different periods and nations seems highly interesting. ART. 4. The object of the fourth Department is that of Temporary Exhibitions. These will be for the greater part of a national character, so as to show the native products of Agriculture and Industry and as tending to promote the general interest.
ART. 5. The fifth Department is the intellectual part of the Exhibition. Scientific lectures and meetings will offer an opportunity to the men of science, those pioneers of civilization, to communicate their ideas on and discuss the interests of Trade and Industry, of Science and Art, International Law, Education, Hygiène, etc.--Colonial Economy, especially the relations between the mother country and colony, will occupy a first place in the list of interesting subjects of discussion.
The interests of mankind are universal, as the human genius is.
We venture to hope that the invitation which the Dutch Government will forward to the other European Powers, for a hearty support of the Colonial Exhibition of Amsterdam, will meet with a favorable reception, so that by a general cooperation a complete success may be secured.
Even the mightiest nations will profit by occasionally entering into intellectual contests with their rivals, be it only for the purpose of showing that power and wealth, supported by moral and intellectual energy, will ever continue to deserve the esteem of the whole civilised world.
Extending the commercial operations, encouraging industry, raising the moral force of nations, strengthening the bond of union among the peoples, those will be the salutary fruits of so many united efforts, both for the colonies and the mother country.
For the Executive Committee.
AMSTERDAM, August 15th, 1881.
E. AGOSTINI. General Commissary.
D. CORDES, President.
S. DE CLERCQ, W., Deputy Member.
J. KAPPEYNE VAN DE COPPELLO, Secretary.
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