MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD POHANGINA GAZETTE. Circulation, 3,000 Copies Daily THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1904. IMPLEMENT DISPLAYS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7926, 6 October 1904, Page 4

MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD POHANGINA GAZETTE. Circulation, 3,000 Copies Daily THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1904. IMPLEMENT DISPLAYS.

With the approach of the annual Agricultural and Pastoral Show season throughout the Colony there has been considerable discussion among implement manufacturers and exhibitors as to their course of action regarding the displays usually made at the shows. In the South Island manufacturers have decided that, owing to the expense entailed, they -will omit the smaller shows from their programme and confine their displays to what may be regarded as metropolitan fixtures. Up to the present the North Island has escaped this latest «• combine," but there are decided indications that before next season arrives, a definite course of action will be mapped out, and some of the fixtures left lamenting as far as implement displays are concerned. It has been remarked by one leading manufacturer that the Manawatu Show will be one of the last to be neglected and we can well believe it, for if ever an institution existed that provided the opportunity. for advertising before thousands of the very section of the community interested, the local show affords that opportunity. There is no doubt exhibitors are put to a .great deal of expense in attending-these shows, but " competition is the life, and soul of trade," and they are virtually compelled, by the exigencies of then? own business, to keep their implements before the public for mutual benefit. In what other way can the very latest improvements to machinery be placed so effectively before the farming community than through the annual show where the agriculturalist goes year after year to note these advances and purchase of the latest and best ? Already the business side of the question has shown itself in the South Island. The representatives of one firm of implement makers are doing their level best to induce then: principals to refrain from joining the combine .. in regard to show exhibitions. They point, out . that ; more sales • were effected-at the Gore Show last year than at either Dunedinorlnvercargill Shows, and that it would mean a serious loss of business if the Gore Show was excluded. There is, already, a chance of a compromise being effected. There can be no doubt that, despite the cost of exhibiting, large profits are made by. manufacturers every year by their sales at Shows, but if some are unable to stand the strain of preparation it will, we take it, mean the survival of the fittest. We do not attach any importance to^an expression of opinion that prize money is not awarded in the machinery division. The amount; that could be won wouldhave no material effect on expenses, and the practice

would only tend. to increase trade' jealousy, while solid business,, not prize money, is the ami of every exhibitor of note. The Agricultural and Pastoral Societies could, however, assist-the manufacturers by reducing the charges made for space. Viewed froni the surface, the combination effected in the South Island appears a strong one; but we think that in the end trade enterprise andcompetition will tell then- own tale, and that next year manufacturers will be found exhibiting at'the Shows as usual.