TUESDAY, JULY 1, 1924. COMING TOGETHER.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 1 July 1924, Page 6

TUESDAY, JULY 1, 1924. COMING TOGETHER.

It is curious- how in some matters people realise; and act upon the truth that “unity is strength,'’ but completely; fall- to act upon' it in others. The world, has had great examples of the power of unity within the last ten years.; The Allied Powers under divided commands did not .achieve <their ultimate success until they placed their destinies in tke hands of one head,. Marshal Foch, but after that, great general had been given supreme authority, the end; of the war was; not-, long in coming. The British Empire, consisting as it does of a number of , great Dominions, owes its greatness, we believe, mainly to, the unity which has been maintained under one King and one Flag. ‘ We re the Empi re to.break uj» into several sovereign States,- some might continue prosperous for a time, but if. a time of crisis came probably, most of the States would fail. It would not be difficult to set out a large number of cases in .which success 'has depended upon unity .and disaster has followed. where faction and strife have taken the place of .unity. Leaders of nations ' wisely seek, to maintain unity, and to avoid the splitting up of the people into groups, ; and the most successful leader is the man who is able to : bring about the closest unity among the people, whom he desires to lead. We often, think, whe?! we read the. statements • of agitators of some extreme;’doctrine, that the- main weak-, ness of their cause is the fact that their, agitation tends towards faction, sectionalism, and lines of demarcation, which are quite unnecessary and which lead to strife and bitterness. The British Empire is one, and must continue one if it is to prosper. Similarly the people of New Zealand are one people—a- nation, having won their nationhood through their magnificent services to humanity during the years when civilisation .was resisting the challenge of its. desperate enemy. As a nation it is in the interests of all sections of the people that, the Dominion should progress and prosper in every direction. Everywhere throughout the country there is evidence of great progress made in the. last eighty years —progress

which we thin; n. due very largely to the unity of pu nose which has been in no small degree an incentive to the people to work hard to make the- .Dominion a happy country, peopled by a hardy race, proud of their traditions and the heritage handed down to them. New Zealand is-such a pleasant land that it‘is difficult to say that any one paid; of it is better than another, but one would have great difficulty in finding a better province than Taranaki. The fertility of the soil, the abundant evidence of rapid progress, and the keenness of the majority of the people contribute to making the province one in which people desire to- live. Each year the various centres set aside days when displays are made of the things with which the inhabitants are closely associated. These shows, .with, which the people are so familiar, are very important, and perhaps they do not realise how far reaching their influence is. As exhibitions they are interesting and educative, hut we think that even more important is the fact that they bring the people together. The spring and summer shows lead to great gatherings around the rings of the show grounds, where the finest stock are exhibited; the winter shows bring, crowds to the buildings where the’ exhibits—chiefly products of the farms and the homes:— are housed. South Taranaki has the honour of having, in the opinion of many, of the best judges, . thei finest winter show; held in the [Dominion, and to-day the great buildings have been opened to visitors’. Inside they find tastefully arranged the work of many people of all sections of the community, united in the spirit' and desire to excel;, to do their best to win, the prizes. The result is a magnificent exhibition, thoroughly representative and full of interest.. - Again there is an air of happiness and unity 'among the people visiting the show. They have come together to view the .exhibits;, to meet friends from other parts, and; to exchange views. Town meets country, country meets town, amid pleasant surroundings, and. we believe that such gatherings have a', very good influence. They help to unite the people and lead to a. better understanding. The British nation ca.nnot.be too; closely united, for, as the years pass, its responsibilities* grow greater, and all movements that encourage unity, and keenness for the welfare of all sections of the community merit the attention and support of,. every citizen. • The winter show is doing its part, towards that objective, we hope that to it will be extended . the 1 heartiest support .of the people .throughout.- the splendid: district which it has :.been established to verve, and whic.hf Has benefited greatly through its existence and the unity which" it encourages. .