STRATFORD A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1915, Page 3

STRATFORD A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

t'OMMITTKE MhlTiXi . (Worn Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Saturday. A meeting oi the general committee of the abovn Association was held in the Association's oflice this afternoon, Mr. R. Masters (president) being in the chair. The secretary read the executive committee's report as follows:--• Since last meeting the executive have had a busy time getting ready for the show. Your president (Mr. K. .Tackson), and the secretary visited Palmerstoii North Show with the object of getting entries, and received promises of support. Messrs Jackson and Cato and the secretary visited Wanganni Show this week, and were fairly successful in interesting the southern exhibitors and getting them to compete at Stratford. The general committee could very materially help if they would assist at Hawera Show in getting entries and also in a canvass of the district with the same object in view, as much still remains to be done, and as time is short all help that the general committee can give will be of great assistance. The catering will he under the control of Messrs Dustin, Ltd., of Wanganni. The executive have arranged for the two ranges, kindly lent by Messrs Smart Bros., and have decided to erect a leanto at the back of the kitchen for the convenience of the caterer. The caretaker has .been engaged for the work.on the grounds from now on till after the show. The executive would appeal to 'ill members of the Association to exhibit as much as possible, as it is only by united effort that the show can be placed in the position it should rightly hold as the dairy show ill the North Island. It might be here stated that in 110 season since the inception of the Stratford Show have the weather conditions been so favorable lor stock as they have been this season. It is admitted on all sides that dairy cattle are in exceptionally good health and doing well as regards yield. High prices for dairy produce, wool, etc., and all other circumstances connected with the farming industry make it comparatively easy and cheap for stock owners to exhibit. The only conditions likely to mitigate against farmers showing are caused by shortage of labor. We hope, however, to have the active assistance of the members of the general committee in this direction, to help in maintaining the large entries that we have had at previous shows.

The president, in moving the adoption of the report; said the object of the meeting was to organise to sec-lire entries for the coming show. Eight throughout New Zealand at the present time shows were not up to the standard of previous years as regards entries, and lie wanted the general committee to wait on their personal friends and get them to exhibit. He admitted that there was a shortage of l?bor, and this was preventing many outside exhibitors from travelling out of their districts Consequently they must induce local farmers by every means in their power to exhibit at Stratford Show The local show had always boasted of large entries and big membership, and he wanted this standard to bo maintained. He proposed that the whole district he canvassed, and he asked for the hearty cooperation of all the members and wellwishers of the Association. Mr. Peterson seconded the adoption of the report. Mr. E. Jackson said that while at the Palmerston North and Wanganui Shows he found exhibitors very diffident about going further afield with their stock, and .lie was sorry to see such a small number of exhibitors from the Taranaki district at these shows. They could not expect exhibitors to come from other districts if we did not return the compliment. The secretary of the Hawera Show was doing his best to get exhibits for our show, and we should show our appreciation by exhibiting at their show next week. The more exhibitors that go to Hawera the more would come to Stratford. He asked all members who could spare the time to visit the Hawera Show nex/t week, and do their best to secure entries for our show. He wanted to say a word about the excellent treatment accorded the sub-com-mittee by the Wanganui Association, and he moved a vote of thanks be accorded them. This was carried.

Mr. Dingle said very great praise was due to the president and Mr. Jackson and secretary for visiting Palmerston and Wanganui Shows to get entries, and the committee should give all the help they could locally. As chairman of the Farm Committee, he would like to say that 200 pens were ready l to receive cattle, and he felt that most of those present had something to show to fill them. Most of the farmers had supported the association loyally, and he hoped they would continue to do so. He was quite willing to give his ear and go round canvassing for entries, providing some member would accompany him.

Mr. Peterson said he quite agreed with Mr. Jackson- that we could not expect exhibits from other districts if we did not support them by showing. Hawera had always supported Stratford, and he was doing his best to put in a big exhibit at the Hawera show and he hoped others would do the same. The report was then adopted. In regard to the butter-fat competition, it was decided that all cows be brought to the show grounds on the Tuesday night and milked that night in the presence of the stewards. Other exhibitors may bring their stock to the grounds on the Tuesday and good accommodation will be provided for them. If any farmer has stock to exhibit and cannot spare the time to bring them to the show, several of the eommittee offered to go iind get them, and so relieve the exhibitors. One of those present said the Association had started well, and had gone on, but he had reason to fear that farmers were likely to allow their enthusiasm to wane and throw the work on the shoulders of others. There was a falling-off of entries throughout New Zealand, and he feared that farmers were complaining too much about trivialities. The Association was a famous organisation, and the townspeople as a rule supported it loyally, and, further, did a lot by entertaining the judges and visitors. Members should realise that the executive could not have exhibitors and visiting judges in the town Without going to the expense of entertaining them while here, and it was to their credit that they did it without asking the Association to pay a penny. He hoped farmers and stock raisers would make a special effort to secure all the entries they could and thus make it what it should be—the premier dairy show in New Zealand. He did not like to hear farmers say that the townspeople monopolised all the important positions in the Association. Farmers, as » rule would not come forward and

take llir.se positions. Tic was daily awing slock that would take some heating at any show, and lie hoped the fanners would get busy and exhibit them. The president said he was tired of hearing- about townspeople running the show, He felt certain that there was not a member of the c.vccutivo who would not like to take a rest and let tile farmer do the work. The executive committee met more than forty times in a year, and it was very discouraging to see the farmers come along and tender their resignations. The fanner did not attend the annual meetings to voice his protest, and he thought it would be a good idea to make both the executive and general committee consist wholly of farmers, and see how the Association would get along. Townspeople, from a monetary point of view, had loyally supported the Association. ill J. M. Trotter said that, as a country member, he was sorry to hear the remarks passed about the townspeople. He was quite satislied the country folk could not do the work of the Association; in fact, it was sometimes impossible for he himself to give the time that was necessary to the a (lairs of the Association. The townspeople had put the. Association in its present excellent position, and he felt that one and all of (hem were doing their best and deserved all the praise the farmers could give them. Mr. Dingle said (he Association was neither a country or a town association, but belonged to all of them, and the sooner the fanners realised it the better. Any man who would resign because the president had a business in town would find an excuse for anything. He did not like this town and country talk; he wanted to make the Association of interest to all. The meeting then adjourned.