THE SUMMER SHOW.

Evening Star, Issue 20958, 24 November 1931, Page 10

THE SUMMER SHOW.

To-da.y the Otago Agricultui al and Pastoral Society’s Slimmer Show was opened at Tahuna Park. The society, far from being discouraged by the unfavourable trading conditions that have prevailed 'and the, unfortunate weather experiences of past years, pushed on the , preliminary arrangements with zeal and enthusiasm, and the display on the show grounds is highly creditable. It might have been thought, as a result of the hard times through which the farming community is passing, that there would have been some abatement of its interest in this year’s, fixture. That is not the case, however, and the society’s committee is highly gratified at the response to its appeals for support by those outraged in the rural industries. The standard of the exhibits is as high as ever, and the number of entries shows no falling off; indeed, in material particulars they’ are better than evez. It can hardly ho expected that the attendance of the rural community will ho as large as usual, for many farmers can afford neither the time (with the shearing season on them) nor the expense to come to Dunedin at present. On the whole, the conditions throughout the province this year are promising, and. with the hope encouraged by the success of the Australian wool sales a more buoyant feeling is abroad. These shows are important auxiliaries to our rural activities. It is becoming more and more evident that if onr primary products, on which tjiis dominion so greatly depends, - are-, to ijiaintaiu a place in the world’s markets they must be of unimpeachable quality. Agricultural shows are a help in this way. They encourage a spirit of healthy rivalry among the producers, they promote opportunities for fi'icndly intercourse and comparison, and they provide demonstrations of the latest farming methods and appliances. Ihe settler of to-day, to be successful, cannot afford to carry on with rule-of-thumb methods. Ho must follow the latest scientific developments, so that ho may attain all-round efficiency and keep his overhead costs in the proper proportion. The. extraordinary improvement in various classes of livestock since the beginning of the nineteenth century is largely due to the influence of shows, and the same thing is true of butter, cheese, and grains. Those who make a living on the land are helped by the activities of the Agricultural Department, with its publicity methods and its experts ever ready to impart information. The isolation of the farmer has greatly lessened in recent years, for now ho has His telephone, his radio set, his motor car (sometimes a dubious advantage), and other modern accessories. Yet, as in , most occupations, hard and concentrated work is the key that unlocks the door of success. To-morrow will be People’s Day at the show, and it is expected that the citizens will rally to the support of the society and make their way to Tahuna Park in largo numbers. Financial support is needed to enable these fixtures to be carried on successfully, aud the obligations of the townspeople in this matter should be borne in mind.