ROYAL SHOW.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18672, 22 April 1926, Page 11

ROYAL SHOW.

CLASHING OF DATES. THE DIFFICULTIES STATED. The Canterbury A. and J\ Association has received from Mr J. Pow. secretary of the Eoyal Agricultural Society, copies of correspondence between the Society and the Auckland A. and P. Association regarding the dates of this year's Eoyal Show. The correspondence indicates that the Eoyal Society has been most anxious to prevent the Eoyal Show fixture clashing with the provincial show fixtures. The Auckland A. and P. Association considers that tiie dates fixed for the Canterbury A. and P. Association's Metropolitan* Show—November 11th and 12th—are those most suitable for the Eoyal Show. A meeting of the Council of the Eoyal Society is to be held in "Wellington to-dav to reconsider the whole matter. The Royal Society's letter to the Auckland "A. and P. Association sets out that the executive found itself confronted with the following difficulties: (1) The last week iu October was considered too early; in addition, the New Zealand Fricsian Society had protested against the Show being held early iu the season. (2) The first week in November would clash with the Manawatu A. and P. Association's show. This society had decided not to interfere with the date of other A. and P. Associations if a suitable date for holding the show could be secured. (3) The second week iu November would clash with the Canterbury A. and P. Association's show—an occurrence to bo avoided also. (4) The fourth week; in November cannot be secured, as there will bo trotting on Wednesday. (5) The first week in December would be too late. "The only week available," the letter continues, "is the third week in November, and the Hamilton A. and P. Association has already decided to allow the Eoyal Show to have its dates. The executive suggests holding the Eoyal Show on the 16th and 17th, if your Association considers two days ample, and on the lOtfi, 17th, and ISth, if three days are preferred ... Executive's Decision. "After fully discussing the pros and cons of the extremely awkward position which has arisen, the executive arrived at the following resolution:— That the Auckland A. and P. Association be advised that uuless the Eoyal Show can bo held during the third week in November, i.e. between tho 15th and 20th, the Eoyal Agricultural Society regrets that it will be unable to hold the show in Auckland this year." The Auckland Association was asked to consider what dates during that week would bo most suitable, and to let the Society know its decision so that representations could bo made to tho Auckland City Council and tho Employers' Association to declare tho afternoon of the last day of tho show a ha If-holiday. "Last year," the letter stated, "a whole holiday was declared in Christchurch, and tho executive feels that as the Eoyal Show is a national one, a half-holiday should be granted this year." The Auckland Attitude. Tho Managing Secretary (Mr A. D. Stanley) of the Auckland A.- and P. Association, in his reply, stated. that the position had been fully discussed at a special meeting at which the decision of the Eoyal Society's executive was considered. "It is quito impossible," the letter continues, "to get a halfholiday during the week, as the Employers' Association and tho City Council have, decided not to - grant one, so that unless Saturday is included, the Eoyal Show would court financial disaster, which is to be avoided. The Eoyal Show, if held on the dates suggested [by tho Auckland A. and.P. Association] would make no difference to Christchurch, as tlie.ro would not be a great amount of stock coming from the south. Should the Eoyal Show not be held in Auckland this year, I am afraid that there will bo quito a lot of resignations for the Council [of the Eoyal Society] to accept, and possibly the Government may withdraw their subsidy, as I -understand that any Association.which can fill, the requirements of the Eoyal Council, should bo given an opportunity to run tho Eoyal Show." Iu his covering letter, Mr Pow, after stating that a meeting of tho Council of the Society will'be held,to-day in Wellington, adds: "The Council is firm on this point: That if at all possible it does not wish to interfere with the existing.show dates of A. and P. Associations." Canterbury Association's View. The" matter was discussed by members of tho General Committee of tho Canterbury A. and P. Association after the conclusion of yesterday afternoon's conference on wheat values. Mr • .T. 0. Coop, the president of tho Associa-. tion, told a reporter that the Canterbury representatives of the oxecutive of theEoyal Agricultural Society had been asked to vote against the Canterbury A. and P. Association's Metropolitan Show dates being taken for the Eoyal Show at Auckland.