THE DOMINION DAIRY SHOW

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 81, 14 July 1910, Page 8

THE DOMINION DAIRY SHOW

A SUCCESSFUL OPENING

GREAT GATHERING AT HAWERA.

Hawera rejoiced and was exceeding •glad yesterday, for it saw the fruition of much enterprise and oneness of purpose, and "leaned something or die magnificent productive equalities of Taranaki. If the promoters of the Dominion Winter Show had the .ordering of tire weather they would have specified lor the sample they got. Hie finest view of Mount Egmom seen this season was obtainable—and this surely is recommendation enough without writing poems about the subject. Shoals ot facts have been written about the inception of this great show, and these were reiterated time after time yesterday.

UNITY AND ENTERPRISE. It is unnecessary to "paint the lily," but the outstanding point to be stamped home is that in twelve weeks a great concrete building, with 20,000 feet of exhibition space, jumped out of the earth, that for love of land and province the whole countryside rose to the occasion and put up a display that could not be excelled in New Zealand. The mere fact that a display was made is not the most important feature. If, at snort notice, a magnificent district can make it unique exhibition of the kind, gleaned from a partially settled province, what will it be able to achieve in the future, when closer settlement arrives and scientific agriculture sways the Head of every farmstead? The whole affair of yesterday was an expression of joy. People tumbled into Hawera by every conceivable route. The town was a camp of praise, and when the great building was opened to the concourse of people it wa's realised that Hawera will some day want a greater exhibition building. The joy of the occasion was expressed in flags—hundreds of yards of bunting depending from every vantage point. Before the people entered, the interior was alive with perspiring men working like furies to get their exhibits trim and "ship-shape" for the eye of the Minister, by whom the ceremony of opening must of course be performed. The dog exhibit barked with much disapproval of the whole proceedings, and the building was clamant with the crow of cocks—many of them utterly useless m the great world of industry, and wearing their aristocratic honors wearily. But Taranaki is "cow," not fowl, so what matter?

ENTER THE MINISTER. Very well, then. The Hon. T. Mackenzie and his entourage arrived. There is a. reverent hush—except for the roosters from Moumahaki, and after the great man has cheerfully concluded his inspection he is introduced, and makes a speech. Mr. Mackenzie talks about the men of the countryside who have ( subdued the forest, and who, from a condition of comparative poverty, have, by enterprise and industry, made the wilderness and themselves smile. He refers to Her Majesty the Cow —the dominating factor in the success of shows that it is Her Majesty who has made the expenditure of £4OOO possible for a permanent exhibition building in Hawera. He quotes figures, the most useful of which snow that since 1884 the staple products of Taranaki haye increased in bujk by 2600 per cent., and the people cheer, because even if they haven't seen the Year Book they have seen the cows and the country, the crops and the grass. He shows also that the increase of dairy products in New Zealand has been infinitely greater than the increase in that model dairying country, Denmark, and refers to the value of good dairy stock as the great element in the expansion of the industry. Mr. Mackenzie expresses the view that the best dairying cows in the world are not too good for the best dairying land in the world —Taranaki.

AND AFTER. So when everybody has congratulated everybody who deserves congratulation, one lias time to turn to the show «tnd to notice the real heart and energy that has been put into it. The directors believed in the people, and the people trusted the directors, and so from hundreds of farmsteads the people have poured the work of their hands and the product of the soil. Nothing has been forgotten; from the small child to the large farmer, and from the cottage housewife to the mistress of a princely homestead, all have cqncentrated on the effort. Feeling this, one. regards the! lonff array of cheeses with a new ini;vest. It gives some indication of what has been done, what is being done, and how much will be done in the future. Somebody has said that the art of cooking is fading out in New Zealand. See the" Hawera Show. Have a look, at the work of the women's hands, as well as of the men's, and don't forget the skill of the school children, for they are the heirs of Tar.anaki and the future owners of Her Majesty the Cow. One does not view a show of farm produce and dairy implements from the artistic standpoint, ■ anv more than the mere eater of an egg views a rooster for his ridiculous "fancy" comb, hut the persons who arranged the Dominion Show were—shall we say—utility artists?

REAL PATRIOTISM. Now Zealanders carefully patronise the alien who grows vegetables—because the white man doesn't grow them, or cfnt grow them, or won't grow them. Tne vegetables at the Dominion Show would make a Chinaman blush with envy. We buy Australian potatoes. American potatoes, Tasmanian apples, and so on, at huge prices, as if New Zealand was a barren rock that grew nothing. The Hawera Show and shows of the kind will help to stay the idea that it is necessary to import anything to eat from abroad. No show ever held in this Dominion has had a wider range of exhibits than this one, illustrating primary industry, simply because the enthusiasm of the promoters Iras entered into the people. Naturally

the big machinery hall is largely devoted I in tho exhibition o:' milking machines am! small ])o\vor plants useful to the farmer —and, incidentally, the whistles attached to some of the engines would shame a steamer syren. "JUST LIKE THE OTHERS!" And when one has .seen the infinite variety to be seen, one may remark that one show is very like another. So it is—as a spectacle —but the outstanding utilities are that the magnificent products of Taranaki exhibited make those who see lliem confident and enthusiastic; that gathering of people from all parts of the province ami outside it. is a social joy, and the "rubbing of intellects" that results is of great mutual advantage. Then the emulative instincts of men are spurred. Everybody who was at that show yesterday learnt something—if he didn't, he was a very dull person. The show is a big school, a necessary school, and a successful; and there is going to be a large number of pupils this year, next year, and in the years to be.

LUNCHEON. After the opening ceremony, adjournment was made to the Opera House, where the Minister and others were the guests of the' Show directors at luncheon. This having been done justice to, a toast list was discussed, "The Dairying Industry" (proposed by Mr. McNab, exMinister for Agriculture) succeeding "The King." 'Mr. McXab said there was probably no district in the whole of the Dominion that owed its prosperity more to dairying than Taranaki. The future of the industry was bright. The exports of •many of the older countries were now decreasing; indeed, many of them required all they produced for their own consumption. With this fact he was forcibly struck during his recent travels. New Zealand should concentrate upon turning out a first-class article, ana if this were done they would not neea to worry about the market fluctuations. Notwithstanding the disadvantages under, which they labored, hi the matter of the extra cost of labor and the distance they were away from the markets) the p dairymen of New Zealand were able to successfully compete with the producers of the Old World, a result attributable in a very large measure to the system of co-operation obtaining throughout the industry, as well as the assistance accorded by the Government in a variety of ways. Mr. J. Borrie (chairman of the Kaupokonui Dairy Co.) replied. The Government, he acknowledged, had been very good in extending assistance to the industry. His only objection to the Government was that when a factory got hold of a good man, the Government snapped him up and used him aa an instructor.

"Agricultural and Pastoral Societies." —'Mr. Felix McGuire, ex-Member for Hawera, in .proposing this toast, paid a tribute'to the work done by the late Minister for Agriculture (Mr. McNab),. and the present Minister, describing the latter as an able, far-seeing and hard* working man. The people of the towns .did not appear to realise what they owed to the producers —tlhat nineteen-twenti-eths of the exports of the country caane off the land. The Government had certainly helped the industry, but they could go much further, especially in training and teaching the youth of. the country in connection with agricultural matters.

Mr. T. Winks (president of the Egmont A. and P. Society) replied. A. and P. Societies were doing a national work in promoting the industries of the soil, and this fact the Government apparently realised, for a lot of legislation that was of benefit to farmers had originated from their biennial conferences. He suggested it would prove of advantage to the country if Education Boards cquld see their way to allow their agricultural instructors to work in conjunction with A. and P. Societies, who possessed the local knowledge indispensable to successful experiments and operations.

Mr. R. D. Welsh proposed the next I toast, "Dominion Winter Show." He referred to the resolution, strength and rapidity with which the company had attacked and surmounted what appeared to many to be an insurmountable obstacle, and to the complete success achieved, paying tributes to the chairman, secretary and the directors, for the great part taken by them in the venture. The town and country people had pulled together with a will and with most successful results. Mr. Gillies (chairman of the Winter Show Committee) replied in a • modest, speech, in which he referred to the signal service performed by Mr. Conroy, i 'the secretary (the greatest organiser he had ever bepn associated with), and traced the history of the Show movement from its inception. He mentioned that Messrs. James ?.nd (Jillmail had given their architectural services free, sthat the camerated-concrete building housing the Show was entirely satisfactory, and that, the company had been able to finance' in such a way as to enable them to meet all their obligations. Mr. G. V. Pearce, M.P., proposed "Local Industries." Hawera, lie said, was the centre of the richest dairying district in New Zealand, probably in the world, 1 and the rain they got materially contributed to make it so. South Taranaki was not as well served as it should be in the matters of railway communication, especially the southern portion of it. He was satisfied a line through this district would pay 10 per cent on the cost of construction, and thought the Government was neglecting its duty in not seeing that the roads, the maintej nance of which was becoming an intolerable burden, were relieved of the present very heavy traffic. They had been | promised cheap metal from' the Mt. lEgmont quarry, but though £SOOO was I set aside last year for pushing on the line into the mountain, not a penny so ,far had been expended, j Mr. Newton King responded. He con|gratulated the promoters ot the Show upon the great success achieved, a sucI cess, he was sure, that had exceeded the most sanguine expectations. He was | sure there was no" stretch of country in this or any other country that was so

sihle work. It was quite true tlir.t agriculture Wii.-j responsible Jur niuelccuiwentieths o.' tin- wealth of the country, and it' tney diil hoi maUe tilt! inaustries of the soil v. siitnss, where Would they he': Hi deplored the fuss made in Parliament regarding the importation of fifty boys into the Dominion. It simply meant that if they were to proceed with the development of the country's resources they must have additional population, especially in view of the serious decline in the birth-rate during' the past thirty years, hi regard to teaching agi'iculiure in the .schools, it must be admitted that the Educational Department, nad done a great deal in this respect during recent years, ue referred to the work of the Agricultural Department, what they were doing in experimenting with seeds, grasses, fruit, the bush sickness in the Rotorua district, etc.. and said it was not good business to entail expenditure as had been done; on the. contrary, by spending more money better results would be obtained. There had been some talk of repealing the laws re a ting to noxious weeds. In this matter the Government were entirely in the hands of the settlers themselves. Little could be done where weeds were established, but a lot could be done to prevent spreading. He testified to the valuable work done by the A. and P. Associations, and mentioned that many of the resolutions passed at the last conference were either on the Statute books or on the stocks. The importance of improving their milking strains could not be overestimated. At the Wereroa experimental farm they had reached an average of £l2 14s. They could not know too much about the great primary industries. He would like to see carriages rigged up on trains, and have demonstrations made and lectures given to the people along the line. In regard to local railway requirements, this was a matter which did not come within his province. The policy of the Government had been, and was, to push | on with the construction of the arterial lines. In Taranaki they had Veen pushing on with the East line. They could I not do more unless further money was I available. This meant borrowing. Already it was charged against the Government that they were piling up the public debt and overloading the. coun- ' try. That was the position; if tiiey wanted further public works they would have to extend their borrowing policy. Nearly all the, money that had been borrowed by the present Government was reproductive, but he did not believe in the principle that money should' be borrowed only for reproductive works. Otherwise, how could the roading of the backblocks get on? He defended the present administration from charges of extravagance and the damaging statement made for the purpose of injuring the country's credit, and went on to refer to the question of defence, ; which he treated in a broad and comprehensive manner. Mr. Mackenzie was vociferously cheered on resuming his seat, a hearty vote of thanks, proposed by Mr. Gillies, being accorded him for his speech. i

DAIRY PRODUCE. CHEESE. A feature of the Show was the splendid array of dairy produce, which was tastefully arrayed in the centre of the front hall. The judges were loud in their praises of the quality of both butter and cheese. Mr. O'Dea, of Pihama, who won every butter class, is having a remarkable run of success, having annexed all the butter classes at. the recent show, besides being the most successful exhibitor in the butter classes at the. recent New Plymouth Winter Show. Mr. O'Dea is president of the Butter and Cheese-makers' Association. Following are the awards: ST-NGLE CHEESE, 70 lb. or over (open

to all factories in New Zealand. Kaponga Dairy Co. (C. Farley) 1 Dalefield Dairy Co. (M. T. West), 93% points 1 Featherstone Dairy Co. (J. Adamson), 92% points 3 Next. in. order were: Alton Dairy Co. (W. Ogle), 91%; Awatuna Dairy Co. (J. Flavin), 91%; Hawera, Whareroa (C. Dew), 91%; Lowgarth Dairy Co. (G. C'ollingwood), 91 %; Ararata Dairy Co. (I. W. Findlater), 91; Cardiff Cooperative Dairy Co. (D. Ogilvy), 91;: Kaupokonui Dairy Co. (A. F. Maude), 91; Hawera, Glover Eoad (W. Scott), 90%; Hawera, Tawhiti (W. Sawers), 90%; Oaonui Dairy .Co. (J. Callaghan), M>%; Hurleyville Dairy Co. (W. Dick), 89%; Norsewood Co-operative Dairy Co. (ll."Campbell), 89%; Warea Dairy Factory (H. Dailey), 89. TAUANAKI CHAMPIONSHIP (open to Taranaki factories only), best three or colored cheese. Ngaere Daily Co. (C. C. Robertson), 93% points 1 Kaponga Dairy Co. (C. Farley), 93 points . 2 Lowgarth Dairy Co. (G. Cdllingwood), 92% points 3 Next in order were: Alton Dairy Co. (W. Ogle), 92; Ararata Dairy Co. (I. W. Findlater), 91; Awatuna Cooperative Co. (J. Flavin), 91; Hawera, Whareroa (C. Dew), 91; Oaonui Dairy Co. (J. Callaghan), 91; Cardiff Dairy Co. (D. Ogilvy), 90%; Hawera, Tawhiti (W. Sawers), 90%; Kaupokonui Dairy Co. (A. F. Maude), 90%; Auroa Dairv Co. (H. B. Wallace)," 89%, Warea Dairy Co. (H. Bailey), 89%; Hurleyville Dairy Co. (W. Dick), 89. LANE £SO'CHALLENGE CUP. Three cases White Cheese (open to all factories in New Zealand); no cheese to be less than GO lb. in weight. Cardiff Dairy Co. (D. Ogilvy), 93 points 1 Hawera. Whareroa (C. Drerw), 92% points 2 Kaponga Dairy Co. (C. Farley), 92 points '. 3 Next in order were: Dalefield Dairy Co. (M. T. West), 91%; Lowgarth Dairy Co. (C. Collingwood), 91; Ngaere Dairy Co. (C. C. Robertson), 91; Featherstone Dairy Co. (J. Adamson), 91; 'Hawera, Tawhiti (W. Sawers), 90%; Oaonui Dairy Co. (J. Callaghan), 90%; Awatuna Daily Co. (J. Flavin), 90%; Warea Dairy Co. (H. Bailey), 89. Tihree cases Colored Cheese, open to all factories in New Zealand; no cheese less than 00 lb. in weight. Cardiff (D. 0gi1vy),93% 1 Hawera, Whareroa (C. Dew), 93 2 Lowgarth (C. Collingwood), 92%.... 3 Other competitors were: Clareville, Dalefield. Featherston, Kaponga, Norsewood, Warea, Whakaronga and Ngnere. The Challenge Cup was to be awarded to the factory scoring the highest points in the two foregoing classes, from which it will be seen that Cardiff gets the first leg in for the trophy, which has to be won three times (not necessarily in succession) before becoming the property of the maker. BUTTER. BOX FACTORY BUTTER, open to all factories in New Zealand. Pihama Dairv Co. (J. 6'Dea), 94%.. 1 Rangitikei Dairy Co., 93'% 2

fiallanee Dairy Co.. 93 3 Other competitors were: Whenuakura. Riverdale, Mells, Xorsewood, Bunny thorpe arid Bnllanee, Di'/j; Kaponga. Taihape, Canterbury Central, t'lieltenhani anil Cambridge, 02; iJell Block, 91'/ 3 . TARANAKI CHAMPIONSHIP, open to Taranaki factories only. Box Factory Butter, 50 lb. Pihama (J. O'Dea), 94 1 Whenuaknra (F. Parsons). 93>/» 2 Riverdale (W. W. Forsyth), 03* 3 Oilier competitors: Kaponga 92'/ 2 ; Mells S)2'/ s , Bell Block !12, Maketawa 0% Xoruanby 111':,. Moa !)(), BOX FACTORY BUTTER, open to all factories in New Zealand! Pihama (..T. O'Dea), 94'{, I Whenuaknra (F. Parsons), 04 g Rangitikei, 93 3

Other competitors: Mells, Norscwood and Riverdale. 93; Ballance, ft2>/ 2 ; Balance, Bunnythorpe, Cambridge, Canterbury. Knpomm, Maketawa and Taihape, 92; Bell Block, Cheltenham and Moa, 91%. '