The Waikato Times TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1936. WAIKATO WINTER SHOW

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19895, 26 May 1936, Page 8

The Waikato Times TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1936. WAIKATO WINTER SHOW

To-day the Prime Minister is to open the \Vinter Show, the out—standing event of the year as far as district fixtures are concerned, and the most convincing proof possible of the development and the resources of the Waikato. The show has become an annual exhibition on a scale not equalled in any part of the Dominion, and each year sees its pro-eminence more widely recognised. Its growth has been due largely to thevconstructive ability and the vision of a body of men convinced of the possibilities of the “’nikato, confident that they could enlist the assistance of many public spirited people, and desirous of doing something to assist in the work of development. From small beginnings they saw the annual Show grow, and each stage called for greater enthusiasm, intensified efforts and ever larger plans. The construction of the Bledisloe Hall was perhaps the most important of the many decisions made, and the enterprise shown in this matter has resulted in the \Vinter Show Association being regarded as the pioneer in a form of modern construction that is now commanding world-Wide attention. The great steel industry at Home, through its official organisation, has published a special booklet dealing solely with the great hall erected here. The success that has attended the Association must be attributed, in the first place, to the contagious enthusiasm of those who have directed its activities. They have steadily improved the organisation of the annual exhibition, and as steadily enlarged the accommodation for exhibiting firms and individuals. But, of equal importance, has been the wonderful success they have achieved in associating the Show with the whole district. It has become a focus of interest for town and country activities, a joint effort, and in that way it has played a most important part. In some respects the Winter Show, has achieved a Dominion status. The dairy section is not equalled in any part of the Empire, and both the number of. entries and the fact that they come from practically all parts of New Zealand are evidence of the premier position that the fixture holds in a great basic industry. In other ways it has become a national exhibition, affording manufacturers and commercial firms an opportunity to bring their products prom—inently before the public, and the action of the Australian Government in arranging a display is a tribute to the value placed by overseas authorities on this splendid enterprise. There is, of course, a. social side that is of distinct value. The annual Show is the meeting place of people from all over South Auckland and the adjoining districts, friends looking forward to meeting friends whom perhaps they have not seen since last year. It is a great gathering place, where all interests are shared because the women of the district have played their part in its development, and each year contribute to make many sections centres of attention. A stroll through the Show will provide ample evidence that it is linked closely with the home life of the community, affording opportunity for friendly rivalry in most of those necessary activities classified as home industries.

It is fitting that the head of the Administration should officially open the \Vinter Show. It has nothing to do with politics, but it does concern most phases of the national life. Here are displayed the products on which the trade of the Dominion depends, the things that go to the making of the homes of the people—and homes are the foundation of the nation—and the thousand and one activities that command the working or their leisure hours of the people. Mr Savage is the political head of the country but his interests touch the national life so closely that it is pleasing that he should have this honour and do the Association this service. His participation in the opening ceremony is, in itself, proof of the high place which the Show occupies and it will enable the head of the Government to gauge the productivity and the resources of the Waikato, for as a demonstration of these things nothing can equal the Winter Show.