Where Town And Country Mingle.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 291, 21 November 1936, Page 1 (Supplement)

Where Town And Country Mingle.

An A. and P Show is, actually, evidence of life and health, of open-air enjoyment, and of human pleasure in association with animal life. The machine in the field counts as much in importance as a machine in the factory. There is skill in the cultivation of the soil and the breeding of stock, just as in the so-cal-led skilled trades of the towns and cities. The husbandmen and agriculturist is entitled to the plaudits of the crowd as much for his knowledge as for his worth to the country.

A. and P. Shows are places ] where in intimate fashion town and country folk mingle in a joyous and carefree manner. Rural life, in all its manifold aspects are focussed and made conveniently visible within the town area. The magnificent array of exhibits, the splendid animals—all products of the farmers’ skill and judgment, are but a fraction of the produce which the land yields. But they represent a tangible something upon which the town may focus its attention and endeavour to understand and appreciate what is being done in the rural areas.

Such an occasion as the Spring Show enables the people themselves to get into closer touch independently of organisations or persons whose mission seems to be to stress the acute differences that exist between the two sections of the community. By now the people of the town have a vivid realisation of the hardships suffered by the man on the land throughout the gloomy years that now appear to be passing. It may not, of course, be overlooked thate in many a town and city home hunger and despair have not been less severe, but there is no doubt that to-day there is a closer bond of sympathy and understanding between town and country than even before.

The antagonism existing between the two sections which was [rapidly passing in the days of prosperity has almost entirely disappeared in these times of adversity, and it may be suggested that nothing has contributed to that highly desirable state of affairs more than the operations and ! functions of such bodies as the j various A. and P. Associations.,