THE WINTER SHOW.

Otago Witness, Issue 4029, 2 June 1931, Page 12

THE WINTER SHOW.

This week the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society holds its Winter Show at Dunedin, and judging from the entries received from the country and the interest being evinced by the townspeople, its success seems assured. Of course, gate money and prizes are not the be-all and end-all of agricultural shows. They are necessary, but only as a means to an end. The real success of shows is measured by the part they play in developing agriculture and agricultural business. But they must do it on a business basis; and we are constantly hearing from exhibitors that in this they fail and that the expenses incurred are not justified by results. This means that shows may be a drag upon, rather than an assistance to, the industry. In such circumstances they cease to be business concerns and become expensive luxuries. These remarks apply more particularly perhaps to the summer shows, where better business results would, we believe, be achieved if some of the associations were amalgamated in the interests of exhibitors and the associations concerned. We believe is was Dickens who remarked that: “That part of the holding of a farmer or landowner which pays best for cultivation is the small estate within the ring fence of his own skull.” At the Dunedin Winter Show it is possible to put in many hours studying the various interesting features. One is apt to think that one show is much the same as another, and possibly lose interest in them, forgetting perhaps that young sheep and cattlemen are always coming on, and that agricultural and pastoral shows will be in full swing when all now participating arc gone. There is always something to learn in the agricultural world no matter what amount of scientific and other knowledge the visitor may possess, while there are several material reasons why breeders of stock should have some in the various show rings should continue to exhibit their stock. They in fact owe it to the oncoming generation of sheep and cattle owners. Every breeder of stock should have some thought for the “other fellow.” We may here set out with advantage 10 good reasons why agricultural exhibitions should be encouraged:—

(1) They help to improve and increase your knowledge of breed type, a very essential factor in gaining success with the breed.

(2) They broaden your acquaintance amongst live stock owners and others interested in the best of your breed; this proves of great advantage in many wavs.

(3) They introduce your stock to large numbers of prospective buyers. (4) They secure for your stock recognition among the leading owners of your particular breed.(а) Showing the stock is one of the best ways of gaining publicity for them and their owners, through the press and in other ways. (б) It is often, in the case of beginners or others who have not shown very much, the turning point up the road of success.

(7) They help to increase interest in your particular breed. A large showing of animals, possessing correct breed type and in-the best of condition at time of the show, is often the influencing factor that causes persons, as well as entire communities, to become convinced of the popularity and value of your particular breed. Remember: “In numbers there is strength.” (8) They increase appreciation and interest in your stock in your own family, particularly your boys, often Imjing the deciding point by them in remaining on the farm. Your community and province also have a greater appreciation of your herds or flocks, after seeing them at the show and learning of their winnings. (9) They help the show to be more successful as an educational and commercial enterprise, thereby bringing credit and prosperity to your province and the section of the country in which it is held.

(10) Last, but not least, the showing of your stock increases very materially the money possibilities of your animals. One of the greatest benefits of shows is the creation of a spirit of emulation among the exhibitors. The money prizes now awarded in the course of a year by the many societies at their shows throughout the Dominion amount in the aggregate to a very large sum, and furthermore, there are many handsome challenge cups given by private individuals who are anxious to foster high-class competitions. The field now embraced by shows is so varied and extensive that there is something to be found in one or other of the departments to interest all-comers. Even the lovers of music are not forgotten. In Emerson's essay on “ Farming ” he writes:

“ The glory of the farmer is that, in the division of labours, it is his part to create. All trade rests at last on his primitive activity. He stands close to Nature; he obtains from the earth the bread and the meat. The food which was not he causes to be. The first farmer was the first man, and all historic nobility rests on possession and use of land. Men do not like hard work, but everyone has an exceptional respect for tillage, and a feeling that this is the original calling of his race, that he himself is only excused from it by some circumstance which made him delegate it for a time to other hands.”

Of course, we know farming to be the oldest, noblest, and best calling on the face of the earth, for do not the great majority of speakers on agricultural topics preface their remarks by telling us so. Still the matter has seldom been put so neatly and forcibly. One may recognise in it something for which he has been vaguely groping, the embodiment of a hazy, indistinct idea he has never been able to put into words.

After a service one night at Mr Atua Taukoi’s residence at Motorua (Taranaki), which was attended by a number of the crew of H.M.S. Veronica, Atua presented to the chief warrant officer there a Maori cloak, or puhenua, a mere, which Atua carried in the Peace Day procession in New Plymouth, and a tipara, or headgear, decorated with a white feather, the Te Whiti emblem. In making the presentation Atua spoke of the protection the navy gave to the Maoris, and the gifts were a slight recognition of this. The feather in the head-dress was an emblem of peace, which he hoped would always be maintained. The recipient suitably acknowledged the gift on behalf of the Veronica’s company.