THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 April 1922, Page 4

THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The observation recently made by the president of the Taranaki Agricultural Society, that the townspeople were not helping the society as they might, is, unfortunately, not without foundation. A few townspeople have certainly consistently given tie society assistance, but the great bulk of them have not recognised the duty they owe to it. This is not surprising, for the position has probably never been placed before them, nor the need for their active support if the society is to progress and adequately fulfil its purpose been sufficiently stressed. Unquestionably the society has a right to expect the active support of townspeople, particularly so in respect of the winter show, which is essentially a town affair. The' society has for years, however, been carrying on under more or less severe handicaps, until they have established an autumn show that is as creditable to the committee as it is to the district. The winter show has always been the drag, mainly because the necessary co-operation and help of townspeople have not been forthcoming. To make this show successful—indeed, to keep it alive at all—townspeople must display a keener interest, and accord it their active support, financial and personal. In other towns that could be mentioned business men are found prominently .associated with the farmers in the management of the winter shows, with the result that the shows are expanding and serving a more and more useful purpose. A successful winter show obviously is of great advantage to a town. It attracts in the off season large numbers of visitors, w'ho spend freely as a rule; it brings town and country people closely together; it provides instruction r.n<’ entertainment for the children ; and it promotes healthy rivalry amongst exhibitors. New Plymouth cannot afford to let the winter show die- The town is moving and developing at a rate faster than any other provincial town, and it behoves the business men to support the society in every way they can, and so remove the reproach that the president levelled at them the other day. The show is hampered' by the inadequacy of the present accommodation, but surely that handicap can be removed if the matter is taken up earnestly and energetically.