WHEN FARMERS FOREGATHER.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 March 1934, Page 6

WHEN FARMERS FOREGATHER.

Agricultural shows have attained a unique position in the social life of New Zealand. The term “social event” is hardly a collect description, for although this is possibly the essential characteristic of an agricultural show the function is really much more than this. Man, and for that matter woman also, is competitive by nature, and it is vastly more satisfactory to vanquish an opponent in the show ring than blow him up with a bomb on a battlefield. Besides, there is much more in competing successfully at a show than merely producing something better than one’s neighbour. When so many neighbours all enter into the competition the general result is the same, win or lose. One is doing one’s bit to raise the standard of quality, and when the majority set the pace the rest will follow. In a community dependent for its prosperity on the success of the primary industries there can be no better augury for the future than a vigorous and ceaseless striving for quality amongst the farmers. The educative value of such striving can be properly appreciated only when men and their

exhibits gather at a show. It is a poor man indeed who cannot “read, learn and inwardly digest” what he hears and sees around him, and be the better farmer for so doing. For these reasons people should welcome the advent of the Taranaki Agricultural Society’s stock show to-day as a golden opportunity to learn something of value. By their presence at. the show the Governor-General and Lady Bledisloe are showing practical sympathy with the use and objects of this admirable institution, and it is to be hoped that by their attendance other members of the community will demonstrate their appreciation of the excellent opportunity offered for both enjoyment and education.