THE WINTER SHOW.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1931, Page 6

THE WINTER SHOW.

To-day will sec the formal opening of the Taranaki Metropolitan Agricultural Society’s 22ud Winter Show. The ceremony is to be performed by the Minister of Labour, the lion. S. G. Smith, who is also the Parliamentary representative for the home of the society. The prospects for the show are distinctly encouraging, for, despite the hard times, the total number of entries shows an increase of ISO as compared with last year, the more numerous entries being chiefly in the classes that may be grouped as “home industries.” The total number of the entries is 2738, and it speaks eloquently of the interest created by tho show, for entries have come from far and near. The Winter Show in New Plymouth Jias now definitely taken its place as one of the recognised social functions of the district. Though it undoubtedly possesses educative value to the farming community and to the townsman, it is more appreciated perhaps as one of the opportunities for intercourse between town and country. In such matters as school work the interests of both are recognised as identical, and it is at functions such as the show that the commingling of interests in other directions becomes easier to /appreciate-—with benefit to each and with the likelihood of better relationships in ordinary affairs as a result. For this reason support of the show is amply justified. The townsman will have the opportunity of seeing what careful husbandry is capable of obtaining from the soil and the farmer the latest devices of the manufacturer in plant and materials most likely to be in use on the farm. The home industries display is sure to appeal to the women folk of the district, while poultry breeders and dog fanciers will have displayed for their benefit the best that Taranaki and other districts can produce. In this year, when it is so easy for people to fall victims to pessimism, the Winter Show should act as a mental tonic. It displays in tangible form what the fertility of the province is capable of "iving, the progress made in manufactures, in air and land transport, and in devices for the elimination of unnecessary drudgery. It demonstrates, too, the excellence of the results of the training of the boys’ and girls’ in scholastic and practical work.' That in itself should encourage optimism, for upon them the future progress of laranaki must depend.