TUESDAY, MAECH 28. EGMONT A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 28 March 1922, Page 4

TUESDAY, MAECH 28. EGMONT A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Tho decision of the general meeting of , the A. and P. Association to revert to '' the spring show comes as no surprise, for there has been a steadily increasing feeling that such fixtures belong to the spring and not to the autumn. Nature has ordained that animals shall present their most attractive appearance in the springtime, when life and vitality revive tinder the stimulating influence of the new growth in the pastures and of the lengthening days, the heralds of summer. But not only does Nature in the spring give to animals their most attractive appearance} she also has a very important influence upon people. There is a spirit of optimism more generally noticeable among the people in the spring than at other seasons. One looks forward to the future and there is a feeling that one must bo "up and doing." New life everywhere shouts the resurrection from the dark cold days of winter, and man's soul responds to the call, with the result that he is more inclined to work hard and to put forward his best energies. He feels that life is more beautiful and recognises his duties more clearly. Now, we" have thought for.some time past that the farmer* and people of the town and district generally have not recognised as they should tES duty Which they p\ye to the A. and P. Society, and there has Been lacking that incentive to work wholeheartedly for this organisation, which we hold to be one of the most important for the welfare and progress of South Taranaki. The Association has [ been caused serious anxiety by the failure of some members to pay their subscriptions, and, although the committee has done a great amount of very useful work, there has been absent the keenness of members which one might have .expected. It may be that the holding of the show in the autumn hag been the cause of the lack of interest. If so there can be no excuse now that the decision to revert to the spring has been made. We hope therefore that the change will lead to a very marked increase in the interest taken in the Association, which must look to the people of the district for its support. The numerous fixtures in the province for the month of February have crowded the show out, and we think that the members of the Association have acted wisely in deciding to go back to the spring for the holding of the show. What is wanted now is renewed effort by the people of the district as a whole. The show can and should be made one of the best in the Dominion. The district is the richest agricultural area in Australasia; the means of transport are good; the grounds are up to date, and there is every good reason why the show should be well supported. The work should not be left to a few members; all shouia do their part. The membership should be doubled and members should pay their subscriptions regularly, for the Association depends upon them for its revenue. . We ask the people of South Taranaki to think of what the show means to the district, of its possibilities in the future, of the good work which it has done, and lastly of how they can help it to grow in size and influence. The spring will soon come around again, and it is not too early for the district to begin to take a keen interest in the Association's next show. We hope that when the show is held it will be found that there has been a revival of activity by the members and that record entries will be received. The desire on the part of the Hawera tradespeople to join with the Association and make show week a really attractive carnival is to be commended, and we hope that results will follow. A good carnival week in the spring could be made a very important annual event for South Tarauaki. It only needs the heartiest support and co-operation of the whole of the people, and now is the time that opportunity which is offering should be seized upon and followed up with enthusiasm.