ROYAL SHOW

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 December 1939, Page 4

ROYAL SHOW

OPENED BY LORD GALWAY BiG CROWD AT INVERCARGILL. AMAZING AGRICULTURAL I PROGRESS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) INVERCARGILL. December 13. One of the biggest crowds ever gathered in Invercargill ensured success for the second day of the Centennial Royal Show. The main event of the day was the official opening by the Governor-General. Among other prominent visitors were the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Lee Martin, and the Minister of Labour. Mr Webb. The judging of horses was begun this morning, but the classes are so big that the work was not completed by dark. The grand parade of prize-winning stock was most impressive, and gave a good indication of the extremely high quality of the stock exhibited. In opening the show, Lord Galway said it fittingly culminated 100 years of amazing agricultural progress in the country. “One hundred years is but a very short span in the history of our Empire. but in that space of time New Zealand has built up external trade which is the highest per capita in the, world," he said. “The fertile soil and equable climate of the country have been exploited fruitfully by generations of farmers, who have shown enterprise. initiative and resource. Tradational English agricultural practices were not always successful in New Zealand, but the pioneers were not easily deterred. They adapted themselves to their new environment, and we who follow are reaping the reward of their experience and foresight. "The early pioneers have given us a splendid heritage, and the' time has now arrived for the'closing of the first chapter of New Zealand's history, a chapter of obstacles surmounted and brilliant achievement. Let us look forward to a new era, with thoughts of hope, and still greater progress. "In the present Royal Show we have animals in all competitive classes which are a credit to their breeders, and an object lesson to all who aspire to the highest achievements in animal husbandry,” his Excellency said. “At a time when the products of New Zealand are wanted in greater volume than ever to meet the wartime needs of the Empire, it is well that we pay the greatest possible attention to the production of the best our soil and climate can give.” "New Zealand is a country which has in the past, and must in the future exist or depend for prosperity upon the products of the land, and its future, as I see it, lies around the farming industry. I take this opportunity of appealing to all those in a position to do so to urge the right type, of young man to take up farming for a livelihood, and. where possible, to lend any possible assistance till the young farmer is firmly established. “War demands a special and sustained effort on the part of every farmer and I know that the Empire's call to the primary producers of New Zealand for increased production will be spontaneously answered. “Today our nation is fighting for the ideals of civilisation and the suppression of tyranny. Our enemies face a united and determined Empire. Let us throw all our resources into the struggle with a true spirit of sacrifice, and let us dedicate ourselves with the rest of the Empire and her Allies to the cause of humanity," said his Excellency.