The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, OOT. 23, 1906.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1912, 23 October 1906, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, OOT. 23, 1906.

To i>AA r the A. and P, Association’s annual tryst takes placo, and it is naturally the event of (he year in which farmers, graziers, and those more or less interested in agricultural pursuits take most interest. There are many reasons why people should take a deep interest in such gatherings. In the first place it affords the chance to vary the routine of country life • and meet one’s friends for a few moments’ pleasant chat; or to discuss the business that most concerns the particular industry in which any two or more persons who meet together are interested. Put the real value of such gatherings lies in the opportunity to make comparisons of results in the various efforts that have been made by exhibitors to produce the best thing possible. The Show, in fact, is a technical schojl for young and old alike, a school at which the most highly educated or expert | person cannot attend without learning something to his advantage. Por i instance, if a man has nothing to learn | in the art of making improvements (which in itself is improbable) he can always learn how mistakes are made, and consequently is the better able to avoid making them, for to be foreN * n he, .There

is no morn valuable school at which a person can attend than whom can bo seen side by side the productions of difUrcmt people brought forth under somewhat similar yet varying conditions, and tho man has only to study those and contparo results to learn what is host in practice. In that school, too, may bo loarnod tho salutary lesson of how to talco a boating with a good grace, for tho spirit of friendly rivalry that always prompts tho man who goes to infinite trouhlo to outdo his neighbor in tho show ring always prompts him, too, to suffer his defeat, if ho is defeated, with a good grace and to “ try uguim” Tho prize list is not tho temptation in any case, and tho covetod honor of winning is tho only inducement. Tho few guineas that tho Association is able to offer

doos not pay tho oxhibitor for a tithe of his trouble ; but it is not tho guineas but tho tickets that are valued. The award is tho brand of merit, and tho possessor of ic is bettor off than if ho had gained doublo or troblo tho valuo of tho prize and lost tho ticket. Yet, while that is so, it is most regrettable that tho Associations throughout the colony aro unablo to augment tho prizes to such an amount as would at

least compensate exhibitors for the trouble they take in preparing their entries for competition; but there appears to bo no way of doing it except by Government subsidy, and seeing that our legislators now recog' niso tlio value of technical education and aro every year voting increasing sums of public money for that purpose (mainly in tho cities, however), it would not bo too much to expect a veto of, say. pound for pound for the most useful technical schools that the colony can have, viz , tho agricultural shows. For nearly twenty years wo

have been urging this upon the notice of the Minister for Agriculture, and while the late Sir John McKenzie acknowledged the justice and advantage of it, and the late Mr Seddon actually intimated his intention to do it, we are not aware that any such scheme has been given effect to, or that the present Minister has any thought of doing it. The scheme suggested by Mr Seddon, however, was a totally inadequate one, and would result in no practical benefit because an Association like that of Poverty Bay would probably not receive more than a ten pound note a year by way of subsidy were it carried into effect, while the Associations of Christchurch and Palmerston North would absorb nearly two-thirds of the whole proposed vote, leaving the balance to be distributed from Auckland to Invercargill. Nevertheless, it is cheering to observe even so small an indication that some day the Associations may be recognised as educative institutions and may in consequence get what is their well-earned due. The success that has attended the efforts of the local Association is more than encouraging, for it is also an evidence of the educative value of its work and of an increased and wider interest on the part of the public upon which the Association must rely for support. So well has that work been done that there is not a single point upon which one could plant a decent grumblo. We have carefully inspected all the arrangements, and to the credit of the Association it must be said that not even at the Canterbury Metropoli tan show will the convenience and

comfort of exhibitors and public be better served. Under such circumstances an immense attendance ought to be assured, and there is little doubt it will be realised.

It is not clear from the opening paragraph of the Rev. Mr Chatterton’s letter appearing elsewhere whether he blames us for the ‘‘ introduction of personalities ” into the discussion that has taken place on the subject. If so, he does us a distinct injustice. We have carefully avoided personalities, and declined to follow the example of our opponent who introduced that element, and we desire to say no more in that connection while there is tho more important point to be decided as to what is the best method of attaining

the desirable result at which we all

aim. Mr Chatterton agrees that the “ parents are the best persons to deal with this subject with their children,” and we unreservedly agree with him that “ a large majority of parents will not deal with the subject whatever they may think of its importance,” but we have suggested a method of dealing with the matter which appears to many sympathisers with the cause to bo the most effective way of getting those parents to do their clear duty, and also I of preventing the children of those parents from growing up “without the safeguards that a wise treatment of the subject can give them,” or, at any rate, affording them the opportunity to embrace those safeguards. We did not advocate “ silence ” on the subject or even suggest it. On the contrary, tho plan suggested was the proper discussion of its treatment by parents I in two natural divisions which would I give scope for j udicious freedom, and I may interest those apathetic parents. It also included a plan for the assistance of the children of those parents who “will not deal with the subject,”

so Mr Chatterton’s interrogation was quite superfluous. If, however, the reverend gentleman has a better plan to submit he will not find this journal throwing any obstacles in his way; but the most essential thing to do is to getsome practical movement started one that will gain sympathy instead of arousing opposition to defeat its own purposes.