TOPICS OF THE DAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5029, 29 July 1903, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

The Mauawatu and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral .Issoc.awixxkt. non is to be wauiuy eouSHOW at gratuluted upon the sucTAiiAiiSKsroM ul opening ol us hi - si waiter snow at Palmerston North yesterday aitemoon. Uis ihxeolleuey the Governor gracoiully penurmed the opening ceremony a..d the Jdmuster ot Gauds aud Agriculture lout lus voice aud countenance to the ausp.cious occasion, it is Jilting that tins .association, whoso spn.g show is the most important lixture in iho North island, sliould inaugurate a winter show; ami ill doing so it is liacky in having the hourly co-oporatiou of the ala- awatu Poultry, Fruit-growers’ ami Nalio.ml Dairy Associations. WiiUor shows of farm produce have proved highly popular in Dunedin. Christchurch and Napier ; and judging from the Hue display now made at Paimerston, aud the interest. ovokod by it, thq Winter Show of the Mauawatu district should provo a pennauontl.y successful fixture. it is, in ono souse, unfortunate that the Winter Show of this thriving district could not bo hold in or uoar Wellington. Such a show is ono in which townspeople lake a special interest; but winter being an unpleasant time for travelling, it is to be feared that the visitors from the city will bo few. We trust yet to seo an agricultural hall established in Wellington, at which the annual winter shows might bo hold. For years we have advocated such au exhibition in tho City; and wo aro co ivihcod that it would bo mutually advantageous to town and country interests if tho idea could bo realised. In tho meantime we can only repeat our congratulations to Palmerston and to the association upon tho auspicious inauguration of the Winter Show, and express a hope that it wil! go on increasing in importance and interest. Two suggestions wore thrown out, by tho Governor and Minister respectively, in their speeches at the opening ceremony, ami both are deserving of consideration. His Excellency threw out tho idea of awarding a special prize for points in the different classes, while the Hon. Mr Duncan suggested competitions between the different counties in accordance with a plan that has worked successfully’ in Otago. The adoption of these suggestions would doubtless lewd to increased emulation and friendly rivalry, and would therefore add to the attractions of the show'. A very good beginning has boon made, aud by pursuing a policy of enterprise tho committee of tho association will no doubt be able to improve upon it in future years. Tho evidences of fertile soil, good farming and .prosperous himes afforded is not, tho least jiloasing feature of the exhibition, and wo trust these evidences will continue to bo manifested in increasing degree at each successive Winter Show.

Federation 'is in the air; and if the

British Empire may not imperiax. for some years to come be education . federated politically, fiscally, or for defence purposes it is pleasing to know that good' progress is being made towards educate,onal federation, embracing every part of King Edward's dominions. The In-ter-Universities Conference, held in London some months ago, brought the subject into prominent notice, and there can be little doubt of the project being carried to a successful issue. The British Premier, the Blight Hon. A. J. Balfour, has identified himself with the movement, and presided at the first Allied Colonial Universities dinner held after the conference. The object aimed at is the co-ordination of university education throughout the Empire, the development of post-graduate courses in applied science, and the formation of an Imperial Council to deal permanently with these and other matters of special interest to Colonial and British University students. The movement is both important and far-reach-ing, since it should affect higher education througlrout the whole Empire. The British Empire League has also taken up the subject with enthusiasm. How Imperial in its scope is the movement,may he scon from,® glance at the names of those who arc associated with the committees. The General Committee includes the Duke of Argyll, the Marquess of Linlithgow, the Earl of Aberdeen, the Earl of Minto, Lord Tennyson, the Earl of Onslow, the Ear] of Glasgow, the Earl of Banfurly, Lord Brassey, and other Governors past and present, the High Commissioner of Canaria, the various Agonts-General, Colonial Ministers and superintendents of education, and chancellors, vicechancellors, provosts, presidents and rectors of colonial universities. The Executive Committee includes Sir Gilbert, Parker, M.P.; Sir John Cockburn, vice-chairman; Mr W. Geoffrey Dufficld, Adelaide University; Air Matthew A. Hunter, University of New Zealand; Professor Herbert A. Strong, Melbourne j University; Mr H. B. Marriott Watson, University of New Zealand: Mr J. Alexander Watt, University of Sydney ; Dr Cochrane, Trinity Universityi Toronto, assistant hon. secretary; Mr D. M. Buchanan, University of the Capo of Good Hope: Dr J. Bovell Johnson, McGill Montreal. The movement is one that is specially designed to benefit colonial communities, whose university organisation and equipment are not so complete as in the case of the older universities. One of the objects in view is specifically stated to bo the assisting of colonial universities to raise their standard of teaching and improve their equipment. There will be a reciprocal reflex action in favour of the Britisli universities, by colonial students being encouraged to attend these seats of learning in preference to those of Germany or France. Another object aimed at is an exchange of students on linos contemplated by the late Cecil Rhodes in his bequests for scholarship purposes. A combination of “sound learning and sou”d patriotism” ought to work out well for the aviso of Imperial greatness and unity: the movement therefore deserves the support of all Imperialists and educationists.