The Daily News. THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1914. THE WINTER SHOW.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 20, 11 June 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1914. THE WINTER SHOW.

The Taranaki Winter Show of 1914 can he voted the most successful and interesting show the Society has undertaken. Considering the fine displays of the last two years, this is saying a great deal. The entries are considerably in excess of last year's, but it is quality more than numbers or bulk that counts. The quality of this year's exhibits could not be surpassed anywhere. North Taranaki from the very early days raised excellent rwi crops, but with v a bettor appreciation of the requirements of the soil, brought about largely by the Agricultural Department's experiments and interest, there has in recent years been a marked improvement. 'ln these days of .high-priced land and stock, fanners simply cannot afford to trust to "luck." They are beginning to know tlhat to get the best results they must have a knowledge of the soil's requirements, that they must use suitable seeds and fertilisers, and generally employ scientific methods. The old order of farming changes with changed conditions. In the old days, the farmer never botiiered about soils, grasses, fertilisers or pedigree stock. What was good enough for his forbears was good enough for him. But he is being rapidly forced to alter his views. Economic conditions are forcing him to look at things in a different light, not to speak of the results attending tlie intensive farming experiments of his neighbors; fostered as they are by the Agricultural Department, agricultural societies, seed and fertiliser merchants, etc. He has only to see ithe root exhibits in the competitions at the present show and the Agricultural Department's fine exhibit of grasses, roots, etc., to be convinced that it pays, and pays handsomely, to bring scientific methods to bear upon his own operations. This is one of the great advantages of a show, like the present. The exhibits prove what can be cone by proper cultivation on the land in this locality. They encourage the spirit of emulation and healthy rivalry. Ideas arc interchanged, and valuable advice from experts like the Department of Agricultural officials is obtained. As for the townsman, he, too, can learn a great ileal from the show. lie notices tne advance maue in agricultural matters, which have a distinct .bearing on his own welfare, since from the land all wealth must come. He is also enlightened in many other respects. The Technical Scnooi boys' exhibits of iron, lead and woodwork show what teaching and skill can achieve; the High School boys' exhibits, from photography to lucerne specimen.?, demonstrate the scope and the success of the work of that progressive institution; the various trade displays, the machinery, the fruit, and all the other departments must all prove instructive. As for the competitions, it is to be regretted that there is only one district court tliia year, that of Bell Block, Which, as usual, is very interesting. The securing of the exhibits and preparation of the court no doubt take a good deal of time, and perhaps it is because of this that there is no competition this year, but we believe it would be worth the while of the Association to maKc a big effort next year to secure more exhibits in this important section. if more prize money is nc.iossary, we are sure it could be scoured without dilliculty. The 10-acre fami produce ' section is also disappointing, there being only one entry, but its general excellence compensates for the absence of competition. In its way it is an object lesson to the farmers of the district, as showing what can be done on and taken off a small place when industry and intelligence arc brought into action. The capabilities of the Raglan district are shown in an exhibit which is very creditable, and must serve as a good advertisement for that part of the country. The Agricultural Department's exhibits are a show in themselves. The machinery, poultry and other sections are all well filled, and altogether the show is one which does justice to the district and credit to the Society, whose efforts, We trust, will meet with the reward they deserve. Tlie Society has in the past been extremely unfortunate in the matter of weather, but we hope the elements will remain this year as propitious as they were yesterday, in which ease there need be 'little fear of the show establishing a record for attendance as it has done for entries and all-round excellence.

the factor whicli greatly contributed to tho popularity of the August holiday was the fact that it gave a far greater opportunity for relaxation and enjoyment by reason of the early closing on Saturday and two clear days intervening before work was resumed. The question of holding holidays on Mondays instead of nomo other day of the week has often been discussed in New Zealand, and some years ago the matter was taken up by Sir Joseph Ward, but was allowed to drop. The happening of the King's birthday (which is generally observed as a holiday and provided for such' in most of tho industrial awards) in the middle of the week !has again draw* attention to the subject, and the Christcliurch Chamber of Commerce has parsed a resolution in favor of public holidays being iheld on .Mondays. In connection with tho Sovereign's birthday, it was customary during the latter, years of Queen Victoria's reign far Her Majesty's birijhday to be kopt on some day that was fixed arbitrarily. from year to year, and it wag rarely held on the proper date. The plan of holding public holidays on Monday has been adopted for some time by certain of the Australian States, and has met with so much favor that it is new being generally adopted. There is much to be said in favor of such a proposal. Business people find thai a holiday 011 Monday disturbs things far less on that day than in tho middle or towards the end ■of the week. It gives both the employers and employees a fa.r better chance of making good use of the two days, and if tho railway department would only follow the English custom of runnning tr»ins to suit tho people the revenue would certainly be greater than at present, and tho holiday would be enjoyed more fully. There is little

doubt tliat the adoption of Monday holidays would be welcomed on all sides, and when once the system got into working order, it would prove a great advantage to all parties. All that is required ia a short Act of Parliament amending the Banking Act and such other legislation that affects liolidays, including industrial awards, At all events tlho experiment is well worth trying, and it may safely ba predicted that it would prove an unqualified success.