GETTING TOGETHER.

Wairarapa Age, 16 February 1927, Page 5

GETTING TOGETHER.

TOWNSMEN AND THE MAN ON THE LAND. SPEECHES AT SHOW LUNCHEON. A drawing together of town and country interests was advocated at Solway yesterday when the officers of the Masterton A. and P. Association entertained a number of city visitors and others at luncheon. Mr. G. H. Perry (president) presided and among those present were Mr. James McGregor (Patron of the Association), Mr. G. R. Sykes, M.P., Mr. F. Campbell (President of the Wellington Manufacturers’ Association), Mr. W. T. Esson (of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited), Mr. T. Jordan (Mayor of Masterton), Mr. U. C. Jackson (Provincial President of the Farmers’ Union), Mr. W. I. Armstrong (chairman of the Masterton County), Mr. W. F. McLaren (vice-president of the Society).

Apologies were received from Mr. L. B. Beale, H.M. Trade Commissioner, atid Mr. C. J. B. Norwood (Mayor of Wellington). In speaking to the toast of “The Association, ’ ’ Mr. McGregor stated that as time went on the Association, instead of weakening as some said it would, had gradually grown stronger and was becoming more efficient than ever, and those who viewed this year’s show with an unprejudiced mind could not help but say that it was a decided credit to the whole of, the Wairarapa. It was to his mind the finest exhibit of fat lambs which had ever -been shown in the Wairarapa. The fat lamb trade was building a name for the Wairarapa, and the Masterton Association was doing a lot to help in the establishment of that name. Masterton had nothing to be sorry for, but a lot to be proud of.

Mr. Jordan extended a welcome to the visitors on behalf of the municipality, and regretted the non-attendance of Wellington’s chief citizen. He expressed the hope that the Wellingtonians present would make widely known the resources of the community displayed at the Show-.

Mr. Campbell, in responding, stated that as a representative of secondary industries he realised, as did his commercial colleagues, that the primary producers of the Dominion were the backbone of the The primary producer, however, was not the only man m the community and could not carry the country alone. Wellington business men realised what Wairarapa trade meant to them and the province was held in high esteem on this account. They were out to cater for Wairarapa business and they were searching for a scheme whereby they could get into closer touch with the man on the land. What they desired most was the establishment of an annual exhibition at Masterton of goods manufactured in Wellington and the Dominion so that*the country dweller could gain some idea of the resources of his own Dominion. The country was passing through hard times, which called £or caution more than panic. The unemployment question could be largely met by the development of secondary industries which would absorb many people at present out of work. He appealed to his audience to support their own country by buying New Zealand goods first and Empire goods second. It was the money now going to the foreigner that he was after. Mr. Esson said he felt that under the good guidance and counsel of such a man as the Association’s worthy patron (Mr. McGregor) the Association was sure to* progress. . Regarding the development of Empire trade they appreciated Mr. Beale’s. work, and recognised that he had a man’s job to fill. The country was faced with many and varied problems, the greatest of which was that of the man on the land. They should all do the patriotic and loyal thing, but charity began at home and their first duty was to the man on the land. Imperialists had to remember that the struggling man, who had been through hard times, must be permitted to buy on the cheapest market, this position being merely the aftermath of troublous times. The British manufacturer had to realise that he had to come down to bedrock and compete with foreign manufacturers if he desired to capture Dominion trade. If the producer joined hands with the commercial man the difficulties which at present confronted the country would soon be surmounted. This was far preferable to running to the Government at all times for aid.