CANTERBURY A. AND P. SHOW.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15868, 5 April 1917, Page 6

CANTERBURY A. AND P. SHOW.

TO BZ, HELD AS USUAL THIS 1 YEAR. >2

At yesterday's meeting of the General Committee of tho'Canterbury A. and P. Association, a letter was read from Mr H. Overton expressing eurpriso that tbo Efficiency Board had classified agricultural'shows with horso-racing and picture shows, the writer setting forth the reasons why agricultural shows should be continuod. The Hawkc's Bay A. and P. Association wrote enclosing copies of resolutions by tho Association in favour of discontinuing agricultural shows in war time. Tho Canterbury A. and P. Association wag invited to express an opinion on tho subject. Tho president (Mr J. Dwns) said that ho was opposed to giving up the show. Tho work involved in getting up the stock was small, and he understood that the extra trains run did not involve much extra labour. There were, of course, certain material benefits to be obtained from the show from an cdu rational point of view. Sir George Clifford endorsed the presideut'(s viow, and said that in any case there was still eight months before tb.3 show was to bo held. Hie thought tins a decision should not. bo arrived ;i> at present. He could not depre?nve too strongly the practice of taking ". gloomy viow of affairs. There wr.s a distinct recessity for _ "keeping rp tho pecker of the people/' Victory was in sight, apparently, and if the* cot,mittee camo to a decision to ab.T'.-lr'i tho show it would undoubtedly cr % nt<? a depressing impression up'nn t! - o people. If tho staffs in tho hospita'.s went about with glooiry faces, and not try to keep a cheerful r,n;i' going, he thought the rate of moi tr.lity would bo a good deal higher limit was, and similarly tbev wished lo keep up the national spirit of cheerfulness and confidence. Ercryoue. bethought, should do his utmost to keep things going and to keep a general spirit of exhilaration amongst tbo people. Let them not do anything to create a feeling of despondencv or gloom, but, on the contrary. - 1-b them do all they could to * instill a spirit of cheerfulness and confidence. There was plenty of time yes. to decido upon the matter, and moved that discussion on the matter should be deferred until September. He also suggested, that tho president, and 00 o or two of the members should give evidence before tiio Efficiency Board if requested to do so. Mr C. H. Ensor seconded the motion, and strongly supported the previous speaker, as did several other members present. Mr W. T. Robinson moved as an amendment: "That tho show be I:eM as usual." Sir George Clifford said he wouVl. accept the amendment, with which he agreed. The amendment was then put, and carried unanimously. With regard to giving cvidenco before tho Efficiency Board, it wr.s decided to aoooint Messrs It. W. Locnhead and "W. Hayward, junr., to attend if necessary.