The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, DEC. 6, 1888. Unfair Competition

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 68, 6 December 1888, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, DEC. 6, 1888. Unfair Competition

It is a singular thing that no sooner does a show, or business of auy kind, become a patent success by the energy and talent of the originators or proprietors than a host of catch-penny rivals start up to compete with them, and endeavor to deprive them of the full advantages and profits their enterprise deserves. This remark particularly applies just now to a statement which appeared on Tuesday in a Wellington contemporary, to the effect that on Monday next a meeting \va& to be held in that town to inaugurate a Wellington Pastoral and Agricultural Association. If this movement had been commenced before the Mauawatu and West Coast Agricultural Show had become an established and popular institution, we would have been the first to hail it with joy, and do our best to assist in furthering it, but as the idea is only, after all, nothing but mere piracy and plagiarism we look upon it with suspicion — to put our feeling in mild language. It will be a difficult task for Wellington to prove that town hus greater advantages and offers greater facilities to exhibitors than Falmerston. The latter occupies the most central position, and is far eabier of access by road or rail thau the Empire city. We say nothing of the superiority of climate, water, and available space, because these are sore subjects, and are likely to create irritation in the minds of Wellington people, if even delicately touched upon. A good many, otherwise well intentioned and sensible people, are possessed of the idea that agricultural shows, and other kindred institutions, are intended for the purpose of gathering gaping crowds together, to see and to be seen, and to spend their money for the benefit of the local tradesmen. They are to be excused in their belief somewhat, when we notice the wrong-headed way some advocates of these gatherings go about the business. It is their almost in variable custom to seek to enlist the aid (monetary) of tradesmen by more than hinting this to be the inevitable result of their labors. That there is a great deal of truth in this view of the matter we are quite prepared to admit, but we hold that the primary and chief object of these shows is iW rhe mutual benefit for the farmers, breeders of stock, and manufacturers ; and next the general public who so largely benefit by the success of these three great factors in the prosperity of the colony. The exhibitors are those who bear the brunt of the expense, and they deserve the first consideration. In this connection we need hardly remind our readers of au opinion which is becoming more general every day, that exhibitions have departed from their original intention, and have now become mere causes of assembling numbers of people together for the purpose, as it is truly called, "of bringing money into the place." A sort of tonic, in fact, to patch up a decaying or decayed commercial system. These " catch-penny" shows of the towns will have the effect of killing the legitimate ones of the country, just as certainly as the totalisator is killing legitimate race meetings. We pio. p esß to be perfectly impartial in this matter. We think the Pulineratonshow, as already established, isquite sufficient for the Wellington province now, becauee, as the consequent necessity for expansion arrives, by the increase of stock and population, the locality will be capable of accepting it. Tho cry of a " gala week" is beside the question, but is good for the " catch* pennies." In this connection we would advise our Palmerston contemporaries to " quit quarreling," and pull more together for the protection of their joint interests.