The Hawera Star WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1924. UNITY AND CO-OPERATION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 19 November 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1924. UNITY AND CO-OPERATION.

Delivered every evening by 5 o'cloeK m Hawera Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltliam". Mnngatuki, Kapouga, Awatuua, Opunake Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, Uurleyville, Da tea, Waveriey, Mokoia, YVhakainara, Oliaugai, Mereinere, Eraser b%id, and ■ Ararata.

To-morrow, pf ]the weather be fipe, there will be a crowd numbering several thousand people at the Egmont A. and P. showgrounds, and the great bulk ol .these present will for the time be united in their desire to .see the numerous exhibits and to pa.ss a few happy hours in conversation with their friend® and neighbours. Already-Hawera has had one happy gathering this week, when many hundreds of- people met together on Monday evening to ivitness the ceremony of inaugurating the coinmnnity lighting scheme. As one moves among the people at these great gatherings, one feels that though as individuals each has different views on various questions, and each thinks that problem® should be solved in this way or that, there is nevertheless a general unity and the people gathered together form one community. Further, the thought comes to one that such a community, had those who form it the will and the outlook and the ambition, could exercise a great and lasting influence for good upon the district in which they live. But unfortunately there are but few who reel disposed to take part in the activities of the local institutions, and far too many just .look on, ready to criticise those who- do attempt to- do something for the good of the district. Why such is the case one finds it hard fco understand, and one feels that in South Taranaki there isi a lack of •that cohesion and unity among the people, which are essential to progress. The A. and P. Association, to which institution the whole of the people are indebted for the splendid effort made year by year to provide a first-class show, is not ' supported nearly as well as its work merits. The membership should be larger, for the association has to carry a heavy load all the year round to enable it to hold the show. Obviously it is unfair to expect it to depend upon gate takings to provide the money required. Membership subscription is low and there appears to be no good reason why many more people should not become members. We are ardent supporters of all institutions which, are working in the interests of South Taranaki, because we realise that they are of inestimable value, and if any of. them, cease to f exist for want of public support the' whole district will suffer. -We therefore ask all our readers, be they residents of town or country, to think more upon the value of unity and co-operation in the interests of their richly-endowed district. Let them give better support to their institution®, let them cooperate with those who have been hearing the heat and burden in the days gone by. and let each one try and do a little towards building up the district by .service to the. community, by faithfulness to its institutions and hy encouraging everywhere the soirit of loyal co-operation and unity. We hope that the show will be an incentive to the people to think along these lines and that thought will give rise to more whole-hearted action..