THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1908. A NEGLECTED INDUSTRY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9099, 27 May 1908, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1908. A NEGLECTED INDUSTRY.

Why is it that the YVairarapa Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Association does not prosper as one would expect? In spite of the size of the town of Masterton, and the prosperity of the Eurroanding district the Association barely pays its way, ami the annual shows do not £row in excellence. The attendances are not largo, and the reason thereof is the regrettable lack of interest shown by the public in regard to poultry shows. In a country town like ours one would be inclined to imagine that the poultry sho.v vvouid be one of the events of the year, and that, generally speaking, every farmer would be interested in poultry keeping r_nd raising. If the farmers, as a whole, are interested in poultry, and one would hardly think that they are not, it muat be admitted that they have a peculiar way cf displaying their interest. "There's money in

poultry," is a trite saying, but how many people, who haye every opportunity, make the money out of poultry that they could make? Like every other industry scientific methods must be pursued, and due care and attention given before good results can be obtained. Of course, it is only a small percentage who obtain the best results, but good results can be secured by practically everyone. But what is the present position? A handful of enthusiasts, who are somewhat handicapped in one way and another arrange the annual show every year, and endeavour to stimulate interest in an industry that should be in full swing in this district. The officials we refer to are to be commended for the persistent manner in which they stick to their task, but they should bs more than praised—ihey should be helped ! We trust that the approaching show will be the beginning of a more vital existence the case of the Wairarapa Association. There are many who can assist in different ways, will not some of the many come forward and assist in a movement that can be unreservedly praised? Sell" interest alone would be a powerful factor in rapid and successful progress were the burden but once fairly and squarely si ouldered. In other places in the dominion, and especially the South Island, poultry shows are a huge success. Where poultry shows have been keenly supported by the community a steady and marked improvement in the breeding of poultry has always followed. The Pal nerston North Poultry Show is held in conjunction with the Winter Show of the Manawatu A. and P. Association, and owes its success chiefly to that fact. Unfortunately we have no Winter Show here with which to link our Poultry Show, but yot an enormous amount to promote success can be accomplished. An amalgamation of the Masterton, Cartertcn and Eketahuna Poultry Associations with the object of having one good show year alternately at each of the three places has been suggested, but has not resulted in any definite steps be'ng taken. In July next the ninth annual poultry show of our Association will be held, and we hope to see both town and country genuinely support an institution that exists to bring about most worthy objects.