MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD POHANGINA GAZETTE. Circulation, 3,000 Copies Daily. TUESDAY, SEPT. 20, 1904. A NATIONAL SHOW PROJECT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7913, 20 September 1904, Page 4

MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD POHANGINA GAZETTE. Circulation, 3,000 Copies Daily. TUESDAY, SEPT. 20, 1904. A NATIONAL SHOW PROJECT.

A pkopos.vl is on foot to establish .a national booth in connection, with the Melbourne Agricultural Show of 1905. Tho idea is to have exhibits from each State in the Commonwealth, the opinion being held that competitions of this description will do a vast amount of good in furthering agricultural interests. That .the,project is one of great importance to theCommonweaJtih cannot be doubted, -and if persevered with it will be of particular benefit to the farming community. There is no reason, why a similar movement cannot be inaugurated ;in New Zealand. It, is not proposed that, the national show shall be held, continuously in Victoria, the suggestion having been made that it be entrusted to each State in rotation. We could work partly on these-lines in New Zealand. If the leading, agricultural and pastoral societies were to take the matter in hand, provincial or district exhibits could be arranged, and these could'be' sent to a leading show; each year. If" something were done m-this direction ouv agricultural shows would become more national.in their aspect, and the healthy rivalry which would obtain would do much to stimulate interest in these valuable.. institutions^ District exhibits are a special feature of the Brisbane show, and to encourage them the State gives no less a sum- than £500 per annum. That amount is, ho\yever, very small compared with-the svxm of £87,000 wliich is spent in prizes in America for inter-State competitions. If a scheme could be devised which would bring all parts of New Zealand into friendly ■rivalry once each year, the usefulness of agricultural and pastoral shows would be more widely, recognised, and.there would be less parochialism displayed by those 'who are entrusted with the management of these, institutions. Farmecs all over New Zealand would be brought together, and the valuable knowledge to be gained by the exhibition of' the products would probably induce the Government to grant some financial, assistance., The movement is worthy, of consideration, and if discussed by the local Association it might be thought advisable to ask other Societies Itp agree ;to a plan for united action with a view to giving effect; to the

suggestion,