The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 1915. AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 166, 18 March 1915, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE.

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 1915. AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS.

(WitL which ia incorporated The Tai Post '.-.ai Waimarino News.)

If evidoneo wove necessary to convince the most sceptical of the value to such a terri I ory as this which surrounds Taihape of an institution like the Agricultural and Pastoral Association it was available to an overwhelming extent at the meeting of the General Committee of the Association held last night. The fact alone that a large number of out leading settlers, many of them living miles back on the laud, were present on a wet night, was ample proof that deep-seated interest existed not accountable for by any motives of mere pleasure. At such meetings a hotter idea is gathered of how our lands are successfully settled and how the general progress of the whole country is effected, than in listening to all the seductive talk of statesmen and politician.:. The Agricultural and Pastoral Association is something move than a mere purveyor of shows to ini crest and amuse the public. At their meetings members certainly discuss their shows, but what is of more value perhaps to the creation of a great nation are these deliberations which go on, wherever such an association exists/ in most deadly earnestness, and result in increased settlement and the maximum of production. A Government that is too much engrosed with exigencies affecting its own life is proded into realising, often aganst its will, the absolute necessity for conditions that make for the welfare and enrichment of the whole body politic, and administrative departments are kept alive to the requirements for most successfully conducting the industry that causes the flow of gold to reach our land. Only the one motive —/progress- —dominates their deliberative gatherings, nd city-dwellers need no other estimony of this than the fact that they are composed of men of almost every conceivable

shade of political colour. They clveck abuses that an insufficiently informed department allows to become rife, and they urge on the provision of facilities for carrying on the industry to its highest productve capacity. The day has i passed when the farmer deserved 1 the reproach that he was unbusinesslike. and non-progressive, for , it now requires all the ability or an allegedly progressive Government to keep pace with what he incontrovertibly shows is absolutely necessary for the good of the land. Then, once a year the organisations scattered throughout the country meet in conference at an agreed upon centre to

compare important features ol the year’s work and to use their collective, organised strength and effort to force upon the country a realisation of the necessity for the improvements and alterations they evolve and urge. At last night’s meeting several excellent suggestions for more convenientlv and satisfactorily carrying our

administration of affairs in con-nection-with exhibitons; for cir-

cumventing trouble arising through insufficient and unsuitable facilities for handling purebred stock provided at our local railway station, and other matters of importance, which were earnestly discussed and steps taken that will prevent annoyance and loss to exhibitors at all future shows. The Association’s year has ended with a substantial credit balance, and in every way its operations have given cans- 1 for hearty congratulation.