THE ROYAL SHOW

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20508, 26 May 1938, Page 10

THE ROYAL SHOW

CLASHING OF DATES WAIRARAPA SOCIETY’S GRIEVANCE SUGGESTION T # o WAIKATO In its editorial columns the Wairarapa Times-Age, published in Masterton, says:— “All parties concerned should be very willing to assist in removing the grievance under which the Wairarapa P. and A. Association labours on account of what amounts in effect to a serious interference with the conduct of its old-established annual fixture. It is evidently desirable that the dates of all A. and P. shows in the‘Dominion should be co-ordinated as far as possible, so that stock breeders who desire to do so may follow a circuit in exhibiting at different shows. Even if perfect coordination on these lines be unattainable, the Royal Show surely should not be haid at a time when it will militate sgriously against the success of any important'district fixture- “ Taking broad account of the interests of the farming industry in this country, the Royal Show ought to be complementary to other shows and should not compete with them. This year, however, unless the schedule of dates is amended, the Wairarapa P. and A. Show will be called upon to compete against the Royal Show. This is due to the Waikato A. and P. Association, to which this year’s Royal Show has been allotted, having recently abandoned its former November dates for others in which it clashes with the Wairarapa fixture. “With matters in this state, the P. and A. Association evidently has a substantial grievance and on broader grounds it may be claimed that under the policy meantime adopted poor regard is being paid to the general interests of farming industry, which demand that the most should be made of all shows as an aid and stimulus to progress. In normal circumstances a good many breeders exhibit at both the Royal and Wairarapa shows and it is altogether desirable that this procedure should continue. There should be no great difficulty in fixing such dates for the 'Royal Show that no district fixture will be prejudiced. In the present instance, the position perhaps might have been met by the Waikato A. and P. Association reverting, for this year at least, to its former November dates.

POSITION EXPLAINED DIFFICULTY OF SOLUTION “ This is not a new problem by any means,” said Mr W. L. Ranstead, secretary of the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association, when interviewed or; the matter to-day. “It was fully discussed at the annual conference of the Royal Agricultural Society last year in Wellington. At that time it was realised that if the Waikato fixture did not clash with Wairarapa It must inevitably clash with one of the other 6hows. If it were held a week earlier it would coincide with Hawke’s Bay, and if it were scheduled for a week later it would clash with Palmerston North. A week after that Wanganui would be affected and in the following week we would clash with Christchurch. “ It Is a big question and one that is difficult of solution. It occasioned a great deal of discussion last year, and the conference decided to act as arbitrator between the two associations and to express an opinion on the matter. “ The Waikato dates were changed about three years ago as the result of a deputation from Palmerston North with whom we clashed at that time,” continued Mr Ranstead. “It was thought better to clash with Wairarapa, which is further away from Hamilton than Palmerston North. While a considerable amount of interest has been shown from Palmerston North, only one horse entry has been received from Wairarapa over a number of years.”

CO-OPERATION NEEDED WAIKATO BODY’S OPINIONS The question of show dates clashing came in for discussion at the monthly meeting of the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association to-day, when a letter was received from the Wairarapa P. and A. Association. The president, Mr P. H. Clarkin, presided. “The Wairarapa fixture is one of the most important district shows in New Zealand, shows having been held there since 1870,” said the letter. “For well over 30 years our dates have always been in the fourth week of October.

“If the Royal Agricultural Society has no control over show dates it certainly has control over the allotment of the Royal Show, and we claim that the Royal fixture should not be held at a time when it will clash with an old-established district show. If the Royal Show is held at Hamilton on the proposed date it will ruin our fixture.” “We sent our show dates down to them to save any trouble, but apparently they were not satisfied," commented Mr R. A. Hinton. “They had plenty of time to advance their dates but they have not done so. The Waikato would be the first to alter their ordinary show dates to assist any other association which had the Royal Show and we expect the same co-operation.” After further discussion it was decided to refer the Wairarapa Association to the discussion which took place at the conference in Wellington, and to advise them that the Waikato dates could not be altered.