A WELCOME BREAK

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 174, 17 June 1940, Page 4

A WELCOME BREAK

WITH the Winter Show over, the excitement, bustle and the crowds but a pleasant memory, it is good to recall that the interlude it provides served as a splendid tonic in the midst of the strain and stress caused by the increasingly grave war situation. The Show provided four crowded days for many of the town's leading citizens, taking their minds off the worry which has been created by the news from overseas. The thousands who visited the exhibition, or who lined the street on Saturday and viewed one of the finest processions ever witnessed in the town will likewise have appreciated the welcome break from anxiety. Happier memories of more peaceful days were conjured up by the' scenes in. the crowded hall, by the hurly-burly of the sideshow alley and by the general gala air which characterised the town. The Show became the meeting place where old friends could have a guiet yarn or exchange views over a cup of tea. The social value was perhaps the most outstanding feature contributing towards ousting the less desirable thoughts brought by the passage of events overseas. Everybody has benefited from it, and once again the promoters are to be warmly complimented on their decision to 'carry on!' The president, Mr A. J. Canning, hit the right note in his opening remarks on Wednesday Avhen he said that 'it was just as necessary to keep the home fires burning as it was to send men overseas to fight.' Events in the war zone, depressing or otherwise must not be allowed to influence us in New Zealand to the extent of giving up our routine activities. There is already enough depression abroad without aggravating it by foregoing those events which are likely to provide a healthy diversion. It demands a certain degree of pluck to carry on with the old order of tihings under any degree of emergency, for the uncertainty of public response introduces an element of risk, which many people are not prepared to face. However. the warm public endorsement of the normal functioning of our Winter Show had proved beyond a shadow of doubt that the committee was right, and further that the very state of an- - xiiety has made it more appreciated this year, than ever jbefore. It is therefore to be hoped that in spite of the trend of events <i'n future, in spite of pressure of affairs in our own country, the Whakatane Winter Show will continue to be held, if only in a small way, to provide that tonic and sociality which is such a welcome relief from mental de-

jection.