OPENING CEREMONY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 868, 14 July 1910, Page 8

OPENING CEREMONY.

SPEECHES AND LUNCHEON. JEHB MINISTER ON MANY TOPICS. The opening ceremony was performed in tho entrance hall in tho presence of ' a large crowd. ■ The chairman of the Show Company asked the Mayor of Hawera (Mr. E. L. Barton) to invito tho Minister to mako tho official opening, and Mr. Barton, in complying, stated that it was more than creditable that, in the short period of ten weeks, such a lino building had been erected. Hawera had reason to bej proud, not only of the action of its citizens in supporting tho Winter Show movement, but also of the show itself. The Government, with all. their faults, had been a good friend to this district in helping forward the work of the settlors. He then introduced the Minister. Minister Opens the Show. The Hon. Thomas M'K.enzio said that ho was thankful for the opportunity of seeing an exhibition of tho wealth which tho provinco produced. Those responsible for tho show deserved the thanks, not only of tho district, but also ol tho whole Dominion. Associated with Taranaki were many thrilling memories. The early settlers had had to contend with tho most valorous race tho world had known, and in this connection ho recalled tho name of Sir Harry Atkinson—(hear, hear)—who had proved not only a good soldier, but one,of the l>cst politicians in the House. The speaker also mentioned Mr. Felix M'Guire, an old settler and former M.P. Reverting to show topics, tho Minister remarked that the building had within its walls as fine a show an it had ever been his privilege to see. Ho had been amazed at tho children's courts; (hey had tried in the south in that direction, but had never equalled the exhibition of Normanby—the winning school—and other schools. Tho teachers at those schools deserved great credit for their share. He also referred in tcrma of praiso to tho Maori Court. Reference to Moumahakl, Spe.x'tug of the Monmnh:-.ki State Farm exhibit, he said that the display would lndicato to all who saw it that the Slate Farm was not the wilderness which the newspapers lud beor telling the people it was, and he congratulated the malinger ef the farm, and also the farmers who hid enlere:! in ths farm roots competitions. If the factories took up tho pasteurisation of by-products, tho pig industry would become ono of the greatest in the province. The honey exhibits on exhibition wero as good as he had ever seen, and ho had no doubt that the butter and cheeso were as good as that at tho Palmerston North Show, which had been so commended by the judges. We Beat the Danes. Generally speaking, the dairy industry was the third in importance in tho counbut we had rivals. From 1871 to

1909 Denmark's dairy produce had increased from ,£850,000 to ,£11,350,000. That increase had been considered marvellous, but, from ISBB to 3900 (two-thirds tho time) Taranaki had increased from 500,01101b. weight to 3S,50(l,O0Olb. weight, .which represented a far bigger percentage of increase. (Applause.) Hut he would point out the position. New Zealand must not only do as well as other countries,' but better, tin account of the distance from tho London market. Tho consuming people of the world .were increasing enormously, and, with tho exception of Siberia, most of the competing producing countries wore exporting less dairy produce. There was therefore a reasonable prospect of good markets in tho future. In conclusion, tho Minister tpnderid his heartiest- wishes for the success of tho show, tm Luncheon Speeches, The luncheon at the Opera Houso was attended by a large gathering representing all parts of Taranaki and many adjoining and far-away districts.' Mr. B. Jl'Nab proposed "The Dairying Industry," which was replied to by llr. J. Borrio, chairman of directors of tho Kaupokonui Dairy Company who said that he remembered Taranaki in the backward days when tho people had to go out and gather fungus. itr. I'elix M'Guire, one-time member for Hawcra, proposed "Agricultural and I'ustoral Societies" . and advocated agricultural education. In replying; Air. Thomas Winks, president of tho Kginont A. and V. Association, said that it had no doubt been a matter of wonder to somo why the A. and 1\ Association had not taken up tho winter show movement. It had, however, been a matter of finance, and tho legislation in existence at the time hampered them in embarking on the undertaking. Agriculture was tho-hope and tho backbone of our country, and he thought that tho Government had realised the power in the laud of A. and P. Associations, and was sure that some of the legislation which was now in force had emanated from the biennial conferences of the associations. The toast of "Tho Dominion "Winter Show" was proposed by Mr. E. D. Welsh, who described the institution as one which marked an epoch in the history of the community. Mr. A. W. Gillies, chairman of the Show Committee, who replied, attributed much of the success of tho show to the work of tho secretary, Mr. A.. M. Conroy. The member for Patea (Mr. G. V. Pearce)' proposed "Taranaki Local Interests." He said that, in 1909, Now Zealand's dairy produce was valued at .£1,911,000 and,.of that amount, Taranaki contributed ,£871,000. Hawera was the centre of the greatest dairy country in the Dominion, herhaps in the world, and one of tho chief reasons for that was it's climate. Mr. Newton King, of New Plymouth, who replied, said that there was no; stretch of country in the world which' produced so much as tho stretch along this coast. He advocated the introduction of high-class dairy cattle to the farms. Mr. E. L. Barton (Mayor of Hawera) proposed "The Ministry of New Zealand." He hoped for the establishment of a dairy school at Hawera. "New Zealand's Pure Parliament." The' Minister, (tho Hon. T. Mackenzie), in replying to the toast, spoke of the dairy 'commissioner (Mr. D. Cuddie) as a man whd'was devoting his whole attention to dairying, and the Government was doing what it could to educate' the youth, of the country in the great industries 'of New'- Zealand. There was, hqwover, .too muclPdecrying of our pub- ' lie institutions. He had read the other day that Tammauyism 'was never more rampant than in New "Zealand. That was 'a slander on the community. Tammanyism' meant that there was corruption, not only, of the Ministry, but also of the judges, and so on. He would assure those present, however, that New Zealand had a pure Parliament. Eeferring to the'biennial conference of the A. and P. Association he said that many of the matters advocated there were now either law, or else-he had Bills prepared. The A. and P. Conference was not a : political institution, as somo institutions unfortunately were.