Fielding Industrial Exhibition.

Southland Times, Issue 19004, 25 March 1903, Page 2

Fielding Industrial Exhibition.

Per United Press Association

FEILDJXG, March 2i

The exhibition was opened by the Premier this afternoon in the presence of a large gathering. Mr Sediion said he was pleased indeed to be with them on this auspicious occasion. The project reflected * great credit on the president, the committee and all those enterprising people who hud inaugurated the exhibition. Fending had shown a great example to larger centres, for usually in those centres the first thing committees did was t© ask the Government for money, but all that the Feilding committee had asked was that he should open their exhibition. Feilding was the; first of the inland towns to lead \vitTf~ this industrial exhibition. He pointed out the educational advantages arising from such displays, and felt satisfied this exhibition would be a great success. The Premier referred at considerable length to the .satisfactory progress of the district and the colony generally. He said industries were the life, of young communities, and he was delighted to note that there was a falling off in the imports. > .which showed they, were becoming more self.supporting. All the advantages' for industries were present,: -motive power from the rivers, coal, iron and lime in abundance, and he looked forward to a time when !S T ew Zealand might become n large manufacturing country instead of as at present an importing colony.

The Premier was frequently cheered during his speech. He is being entertained at a banquet this evening.