Manawatu Evening Standard. THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 1935 PROPOSED EXHIBITION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 226, 22 August 1935, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 1935 PROPOSED EXHIBITION.

Tiie proposal placed before the Manawatu A. and P. Association to hold a South Pacific Exhibition in Palmerston North, in conjunction with the National Dairy Show of 1937, will create interest in the city and district and among- their local bodies and organisations. Not a very great deal of information was given to the meeting, the project at present being merely tentative, but presumably the intention is to adapt the extensive buildings at the Showgrounds to the purpose of an exhibition should the proposal reach fruition. Since the beginning of the century exhibitions on a grand scale have been held at Christchurch, Auckland, and Dunedin, and a proposal has been made to hold another at Wellington in 1910, when the centenary of the province takes place. While it may not be feasible to bring the project endorsed by the Association's general committee within the scale of these affairs, it should not be beyond the bounds of local organisation to provide a worthy exhibition, in which would be incorporated the National Dairy Show. Palmerston North is ideally situated for such a venture if it can be arranged. Its central position in the North Island has given it prominence both as a railway centre and as an important link in the scheme of airways. By the end of this year Palmerston North will be connected with Dunedin by air, and within a further twelve months should be the calling place for other’ lines operating licenses. Its future in this respect is assured, just as it was in the days before fast transport by road, when it was made the most important railway junction in New Zealand, the radial centre for lines to all important parts of the North Island. An exhibition as proposed would give further prominence to the city, attract visitors from all parts of the Dominion and elsewhere, and provide a stimulus for advancement that would be of the greatest benefit. Whether the time is ripe for such a venture must receive the consideration of the organisations to be approached. Certain it is, however, that Palmerston North in the future must take its place with the cities which have successfully held large exhibitions.