A. AND P. ASSOCIATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 August 1939, Page 3

A. AND P. ASSOCIATION

REVIEW BY PRESIDENT. IMPORTANCE OF CHILLED BEEF TRADE. “In presenting, this year's report and balance sheet. I wish to congratulate members on the manner in which they have come through a trying year with satisfactory results" said Mr Percy R. Welch, president of the Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association at its fifty-second annual meeting held in Masterton yesterday. There was an attendance of approximately 40 members.

In referring to the annual report, which has already been published in the “Times-Age," Mr Welch stated that the show had been very successful, the only dark spot in the year's operations being the Farm Account. “Our farming operations were adversely affected, firstly by a poor lambing percentage and secondly by a shortage of feed, caused by the prolonged drought, which lasted well into late autumn," he said. “Owing to the shortage of feed which dried up to nothing, your committee not only had to sacrifice the wethers, but in addition had to purchase hay to keep the ewes going. “Before concluding, may I be permitted to make a few observations on matters of general interest to the farming community. To the dairy farmer and the wheat growers, if given a normal season, the prospects are reasonably satisfactory. To the sheep and cattle man, however, the prospects are far from satisfactory. Faced with high internal working costs and moderate to poor returns, with war clouds hanging over Europe l with a big war going on in the East and an economic war being waged the world over, one would be rash to venture a prophesy. Things look bad and one cannot place a finger on a bright spot. “On the other hand, I don't think you should take too literally all that our local prophets are telling us. Why, one not a hundred miles from here told us recently that this state of affairs was going to last for a couple of generations. Personally, I consider this is painting the picture with rather a heavy hand. I would advise you to adopt the course of our forefathers when faced with bush fires, rabbits and grasshoppers. Take courage, have faith in your farm, in yourself and in

z the Almighty. j “In passing, it is pleasing to note . that Wairarapa was again successful [ in annexing the North Island Challenge Shield, in connection with the fat lamb export competition. Waira- > rapa has won this shield five times out of eight, and I would like to take this opporunity of offering congratulations to those breeders who had lambs in the winning display. ; “In conclusion, I would like to thank my committee and executive officers for the willing assistance and co-op-eration I have had at all times, and I trust that members will give my successor the same measure of co-opera-tion and assistance that you have given to me. I would like also to extend special thanks to the ladies’ committee for the splendid work they have done during tne year for the association, and for the splendid success of the annual ball." Mr Welch then formally moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet. The adoption was seconded by Mr C. C. Ruby, who congratulated tne club on snowing a profit. Mr Ruby said that he felt that in the future the association would not be able to look forward to donations as portion of tneir revenue, as the farmers were now being that heavily taxed that they would not have the money to spare. However, he considered that the association would have no difficulty in standing on its own feet. Mr J. M. James also congratulated the association on its splendid balance sheet and considered that the association had come through an exceedingly trying year with splendid results.. “I am of the opinion that we must concentrate on the chilled beef section. At last show this was one of the best sections and we must concentrate on building pens adequate to carry entries. In a few years’ time New Zealand will come more into line with the Argentine in respect to chilled beef, with the result that this section of our shows will be very important ones,” he said.

During the course of the meeting the opportunity was taken by Mr G. H. Perry, a past president of the association to present Mr Welch with a past president’s badge. Mr Perry congratulated Mr Welch on his year's work, to which the retiring president suitably replied.

The incoming president, Mr R. E. Gordon Lee. also returned thanks for his election and said that with a committee and two vice-presidents such as the association possessed he thought that the coming year would be one of success.

The election of officers resulted as follows: —

Patron, Sir William Perry; president, Mr R. E. Gordon Lee, vice-presidents, Messrs T. A. Brown and Laird Meredith: hon treasurer, Mr C. C. Ruby:

committee. Messrs Hylton Brisco; N. Blatchford, G. Blatchford, J. E. Broad. H. Bennett. G. F.-Candy. T. V. Caverhill. D. B. Curry, S. H. Cotter, L. Connolly. P. F. Fagan. A. 11. Falloon, J. Gray. G. Harvey, W. Harding. J. M. James. W. James. E. J. Jenkins, W. Kemp. R. Liverton. W. G. Laing, W.

F. McLaren. P. D. McLachlan, Donald McGregor, R. M. Perry. D. A. Pickering. F. D. Shaw. Eric G. Shaw, A. G.

Tinkham. P. R. Welch; auditors. Messrs Keith and Co.. F.P.A. (N.Z.), hon veterinary surgeons. Stanley Fletcher. P.V.Sc. fMelb.), and M. C. Armstrong B.V.Sc.