The Show

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33068, 8 November 1972, Page 16

The Show

Only a few years ago many of the agricultural and pastoral associations were fearing that the great days of agricultural shows in New Zealand had come to an end. The costs of mounting large exhibitions of stock had risen; and the interest shown by people in the towns and cities appeared to be flagging. In spite of the importance of agriculture to New Zealand, the very high proportion of the population living in towns and leaning to urban interests and diversions might have caused the associations to despair of maintaining their annual exhibitions. Instead, they resolved to diversify the appeal of their shows. They successfully introduced a wide variety of displays and entertainment—most of which nevertheless have strong associations with the land and with country life—and have been well rewarded for their faith and enterprise. Public support for the shows has been well maintained. What is more important, the competitive exhibition of stock and agricultural produce once again appears to have made secure its place in New Zealand life. Since the national economy depends heavily on the quality of New Zealand’s farming it is good that there are still spectacular occasions on which people with little knowledge of farming can be persuaded to take an interest in—and, surely, some pride in—what our best farms produce. The Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s show this year has the special distinction of being a Royal Show. Each year the Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand shares responsibility with a provincial association in arranging this major event at which the highest honours are to be won. The Canterbury Royal Show has naturally more than the usual number of exhibitors from further afield—many from the North Island. Success at this kind of show is of no small importance to breeders. Any farmer who is keen to check his own appraisal of livestock will be interested in the judges’ decisions. Townspeople may be concerned more with the entertainment than the evidence of good rural husbandry that is on display at the modem show; but they will surely find it rewarding to learn at first hand what the farming industry is doing. The Canterbury Show has long enjoyed the reputation of being one of the greatest sheep exhibitions in the world; it is probably unrivalled for the range of breeds, all brought to the highest standards, regularly on display. Other countries have their festivals and carnivals to celebrate their most famous or most valuable products: manv have great, wide-ranging industrial exhibitions. New Zealand w’ould be the poorer without its agricultural show’s.