FRUIT SHOWS IN WAR-TIME.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15870, 9 April 1917, Page 2

FRUIT SHOWS IN WAR-TIME.

A SPIRITED DISCUSSION, CLAIMS OF NATIONAL APPLE SHOW. In a communication received from the secretary of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation and considered at Saturday night's meeting of the Canterbury Fruitgrowers' Association, it was stated that although consideration was being given by the Federation to the subject of the abolition of the shows during war conditions this would not affect the holding of shows already arranged for. Mr J. Longton moved: "That it be a suggestion that the Federation, instead of -holding one national apple show, should contribute funds towards a show in each centre." Mr A. Merton seconded the motion. The chairman (Mr W. Wray) thought that the suggestion was outside the idea which led to the establishment of the Federation—which was to find markets for their fruit and to help them in the matter of disposing" of their fruit outside the Dominion. The suggestion contained in the motion was, he thought, wrong in principle. Mr C. P. Taylor said he rather favoured interprovincial shows as they gave opportunities of showing growers the varieties they ought to grow. Ho would not be in favour of voting money for prize-money while the war was still in its present state. Mr Longton pointed out that they had to educate the people in regard to the export trade, and they could not get people to provide big lines for export, unless snows were held and exhibits made of export lines. Tho chairman said he would not mako any suggestion except "finish the war." Their only object should be to "fix up that war so that we come out on top." "It would bo a most serious thing," Mi- Wray continued, "if tho British nation was to go under; and we are not going under while there is life in my body: I would rather die than see the Germans on top I I would shoulder a rifle, old as I am, and do my best. To put other things before that,' I I think shows want of real British sentiment." Mr H. Wyatt said that the National Apple Show was inaugurated in war time and, funds being wanted for patriotic pui-poses, it was decided to vote the proceeds to such funds. He assumed that as long as the war lasted that would bo done and that, after the war, the National Show would be the only show held, and that it would bo held in different centres in different years. Although the war was the first thing to be considered, they must not lose sight of the fact *that the industry depended on the National Apple Show and, at present, no one could complain against holding the show as the proceeds would go to the Red Cross. Tho chairman urced that, instead of money prizes, certificates should be issued to prize-winners. i Mr Longton, in withdrawing his motion, said that ho thought that the object, of the discussion had been attained and that the Association's delegates to conference understood that the members were in favour of continuing the National Anple Show. The subject then dropped.