THE RURAL WORLD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24399, 10 September 1940, Page 4

THE RURAL WORLD

FARM AND STATION NEWS SYDNEY ROYAL SHOW TO BE ABANDONED FIRST TIME IN TWENTY-ONE YEARS Because of the military occupation of the Sydney Showground, the council of the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales has been compelled to abandon the holding of the Easter Show in 1941. In making this announcement on July 30 the society's president (Sir Samuel Hordern) said that it was with the greatest reluctance that the council had agreed not to hold the show, especially at a time when there was so much to be done in the direction of stimulating war-time primary production. It was most unfortunate that the continuity of the national work performed by the Sydney Show, which had been developed into one of the biggest and most influential annual expositions in the world, should now have to be interrupted, Sir Samuel added. For many years the Sydney Show had faithfully represented a cross section of the nation's life and work. Held this year in the shadow of war it had symbolised all those vast resources upon which the Empire, as a whole, relied for the ultimate victory. Australia's producers had made the Sydney Show an effective medium by which higher standards of production might be encouraged and accelerated. Since the outbreak of war it had been the hope of the Royal Agricultural Society to make the show a rallying point "for added effort. While this was now impossible, at least for 1941. the Royal Agricultural Society, by every other means at its disposal, would endeavour to help maintain and improve primary production standards, so that the country v/ould be assisted to play its full part in the winning of the war and be better able to meet the difficulties which would be encountered during the post-war period of reconstruction. Every effort would, therefore, be made to carry on the society's field competitions and educational activities. The society, of course, would continue to conduct the affairs of 26. breed societies, whose work was influencing an increasing improvement: on livestock standards. ",'*', Paying a tribute to the co-operation the Royal Agricultural Society had received from breeders and stock owners , agricultural and commercail exhibitors, and all who nssociated themselves with the organisation of the show, Sir Samuel Hordern said that, without their keen enthusiasm, together with the generous support of the public, the Royal Easter Show could never have so effectively reflected national progress and provided that inspiration for efficient utilisation of the country's resources, which had ever been the society's main objective. Sir Samuel expressed the hope that it would not bp long beiore circumstances would permit of the holding of, the next Easter Show, arid'-so give that encouragement incentive, and guidance which meant so much to the farmer and grazier in producing better crops, flocks, and herds. In the meantime, producers would, more than ever before, have to rely ori their own resourcefulness and initiative to preserve existing ■ standards. These must be jealously safeguarded in the interests of the nation. ... ..< This will be the first Sydney Royal Show to be abandoned since 1919, which was necessitated by the influenza epidemic. , '..

NEWS FROM CLUBS

During August the Papakaip Club, together with several others in the district, travelled to the Waitaki .Boys' High School, where Mr. B;B.; Blackmore, agricultural master, discussed with those present the question of increased production as it affects the voung farmer. Following., this, Mr Grocott reported on the annual meeting held in Christchurc.h.. .-...■' /._ .

The Warepa Club held its monthly meeting on the last day of August in the local hall. It was decided th«.t the club should, on the 7th of this month, plant its selection of trees in connection with the centennial tree-planting scheme. Arrangements were then set in train for the club to entertain its

lady friends on Saturday, September 14. The speaker for the evening was. Mr A. F. Greenall, who spoke on the growing of linen flax and dealt with its history, cultivation, and harvesting. »"•■:•■ * *.

The monthly meeting of the South Taieri Club was held on Thursday, the sth instant, when arrangements were completed for the debate to be held with the West Taieri Club. The debate is to take place on September 25, the subject being "That the motor car as a means of-transport is detrimental to the advancement of the community." The South Taieri Club will be taking the affirmative.

After the business portion of . the meeting had been concluded, Mr S-' H. Saxby led a discussion on ■■pasture plants in general, in which - were pointed out some of the differences between the more important plants. This took the form, not of a straight-out lecture, but of a round-table discussion, which was taken part in by all present. A small competition wag also held for the identification of a number of specimens that had been brought along by various members. ' ,••.>'* ;i ' •;:

" The following resolution was carried at the annual meeting of the federation:—"That all young farmers' clubs' members in rural areas who are not already fattening pigs should endeavour to fatten one or more pigs to bacon weight as a war effort;" As far as Otago is concerned, it is known that a number of members are working on these lines, and it is thought that, whilst this resolution refers to fattening only, there is ample scope for young farmers to keep at least one sow, especially in : areas where milk by-products are -not readily available for use as part .of the fattening ration. . -,

The next Young Farmers' Club session from station 4YA will consist of three wireless * talks prepared by members of the Upper Clutha Club The talks are as follows:—" The Growing of Malting Barley," "Fat Lamb Production,"' and " The High Country Runs of the Upper Clutha." ';

The following is the fourth of a series, of articles on the preparation of wireless talks that has been prepared by Mr S. R. Whyte. The first three articles have dealt with the preparation of the material. This article:.deals briefly with the question of what-is permissible in 'the subject-matter. Next week's article will deal with the actual delivery, of the, talk. •. ~ ..,-.; • ; "Now, on the question of what is allowable and ; what is not, this is a matter that can- safely be left in the hands of the station director, to whom all scripts must be submitted and passed before -delivery. However,: young farmers may.bear in mind thatgood taste is the fabric on which to. build their talks. Quite apart t™m: the fact that nothing in tfie nature of criticism of the Government,. cottlr panies or individuals will be a:cceptea : ; in any script, young farmers' will' save, themselves a lot of disappointment if they approach their subject in a positive rather than a negative frame of mind."