The Stratford Evening Post. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1912. STRATFORD SHOW.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 82, 29 November 1912, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1912. STRA TFORD SHOW.

Yesterday all roads led to Stratford, and by Stratford is meant those particular broad acres,, whereon reposes the stock-in-trade of the Stratford A. and P. Association. Every train brought its thousands, every farm sent along its quota. Deserted villages must have been many, judging by the crowds that thronged the grounds. LAs one walked round the oval by the hull boxes, and saw the two fine grandstands filled to the overflowing, and the thousands crowding round, the fact was forced home that over twelve thousand people must have been present. It was no suprise, tnen, when it became known, later on in the day, that the attendance for People’s Day at Stratford’s third Show was more this year than for both days in the previous year. In every respect it was a record, and it was managed with that same care and skill, which have formerly delighted bob.i the exhibitors and the patrons. Perfect weather brought joy to the hearts of the officials, and how they worked! The Association has too many energetic supporters to make individual mention at all advisable; suffice it to say that, in the opinion of visitors who ought to know, Stratford A. and P.’s fixture is one of the best managed shows in the North Island. Mr “Barney” Fearon has added to Ids laurels, and lias certainly “made good” in the important position of secretary. Mr AY. P. Kirkwood’s year of office as President has been a notable one, and it has seen some goodly strides made on the load of Progress. The continued success of the Association is assured if it still marches forward as it began, with those in command broadminded enough to recognise and mend mistakes, and above all ever keeping the educational aspect of the Society’s work in the forefront of all that is undertaken.

the panama canal.

Sir James Mills, Managing Director of tho Union Steam Ship Company, in the course of an interview with a Clhristchiirjch “Press’’ ireporteir, refenod to the effect that the opening of the Panama Canal will have on Australasian trade. While he thought it was somewhat early to express any definite views on the matter, he said that there was no doubt the opening of the Canal would lead to a great development of the trade of the Eastern States of America. He said there was little reason to suppose that the trade with Australia would greatly increase, for the mileage would not be materially reduced, and the Canal

charges would be heavy. “But,” lie j continued, “New Zealand is in a somewhat different position because in the' case of tiie Dominion the distance would bo reduced more than in the case of Australia. The charges under the Act governing the canal night; be from 3s to os per gross ton ; and! if all coastwise trade was to be free of dues it was probable that foreigngoing steamers would have to pay the maximum or thereabouts. Under the definition of coastwise trade, America considered Honolulu traffic as coastwise; and the Coastwise Navigation Act also provided for the inclusion of the Philippines under the same heading. At present, the clause was suspended as far as the Philippines was concerned, as the trade was yet small, and virtually controlled by British ships, from both the east and the west of the States. There is provision in the American law providing that foreign ships may he purchased and placed upon the American register for the purposes of trading from American ports, through the canal to foreign ports, the Philippines, Samoa, and other places. It is expected that this privilege will be made use of so that in time there will be enough ships on the American register to overtake the trade to the Philippines. Then the Coastwise Navigation Act will be brought into force with regard to the islands

ROADS VERSUS RAILROADS.

The adoption of the roads of England in place of the railroads, which would still have their functions to fulfil, and the substitution to an ever-increasing extent of the independent motorlorry, free to choose its road, for the locomotive, tied and hampered by itt inability to do other than follow tin rails, seems not only inevitable (writet the “Review of Review”), but higblj advisable in the true interests of the country in times of peace or war. !i| striking parallel may be found in tin relative success of the motor ’bus and the electric tram. But its adoption must be tantamount to sounding tin death-knell of the present railway system, and the loss of many millions, to railway shareholders. But whr knows? It may bo the needed shock to force the railways to put then houses in order, and by the adoption of same business methods fit themselves to work harmoniously with tin motors for the good of their counti y