A RECORD OF PROGRESS

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 142, 18 June 1919, Page 9

A RECORD OF PROGRESS

NATIONAL OBJECTIVES AIMED AT

WIDENING THE SPHERE OF INTEREST

THE INITIAL SHOW RECALLED

The high esteem in which the National Dairy Show at Palmerston North is held by the fanning community, and particularly by those engaged in dairying pursuits—the small farmer—is now generally recognised. Palmerston North's central position may, to a large extent, account for the very great measure of success which has been achieved, but there is something more than that behind the progress of recent years. The : Palmerston Winter Show is truly a national show, and caters for various and extensive sections of the community. It is more than a. .dairy show; it is an annual competitive exhibition with prizes offered to the housewife who makes the nicely-risen scone, and to the cheese and butter companies making exportable products; to the patient -designer of home fancy work, and to the growers of the giant swede or the nicely-rounded cabbage; to the amateur photographer who specialises in landscapes, seascapes, or portrait studies, and to the returned sdHier who shapes baskets and other useful articles; to the breeders of poultry and the growers of fruit. There are others, besides, who share in the generous schedule, which is added to each year. It is the object of the association to make the sphere of interest as wide as possible, it being realised that this is the key to complete success. Gradually the show has advanced, and each year sees added sections in accordance with the progressive policy which the association has never departed from. And the association has by no means reached the zenith. This year, although the floor space has been increased considerably, there are absolutely no vacant areas. Of course, the war interfered somewhat with the number of entries, and it is anticipated that next year will show a big advance all round.