HAURAKI SHOW.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4527, 14 February 1923, Page 2

HAURAKI SHOW.

To-morrow the Hauraki Plains Agricultural and Pastoral Association wi'l hold its third annual show at Ngatea, and everyone who can possibly attend should do so. Although the Plains already constitute a vast and flourishing dairy district, the industry is yet comparatively small to what it will be in a few years’ time. As in all other industries, keen competition is being experienced. It is more competition with adverse conditions —abnormally low prices—that the settlers have had to contend with in the past, though- there are ever-increasing indications that competition with other nations will soon make the need for absolute efficiency more real. The soil of the Plains is generous, and under normal conditions nothing can arrest the progress of the dairying industry here. That fact, however, must not be allowed to encourage a go-easy policy. A large number of the more progressive settlers recognise this, and are moving in the direction of real progress—which is only possible by steadily improving the breed of their herds with a view to obtaining increased butter-fat returns. The recent action of the Jersey Breeders’ Club in deciding to import a purebred bull for, use among the. herds of members is an indication of the direction in which, progress must lie. Breed is, in fact, rapidly being recognised as ths greatest essential in successful dairying. To-morrow’s' show, therefore, will give farmers and all others interested a unique opportunity to see for themselves the type of beasts that are enabling the settlers of the Hauraki Plains steadily to build up a district that must, if progressive methods’ are generally adopted, become the most important dairying centre in the Dominion. This is the third occasion that this fixture lias been held at Ngatea, and probably the last, Kerepeehi being mentioned as the future show centre. That fact, in itself, should attract many visitors, as the township, having witnessed two previous' successful shows, will always be associated with the agricultural progress of the Plains. It is quite certain that, given fine weather, everyone who lias any real interest in tlie Thames Valley will do their utmost to attend. That is a duty that all who benefit from the development, of tlie Plains owe to the pioneers who have made the land productive, thereby contributing to tlie prosperity of the outlying district.