OPENING ADDRESS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 266, 24 October 1935, Page 8

OPENING ADDRESS

LORD GALWAY’S SPEECH The Lessons of the Show LIFE-MEMBERSHIP CONFERRED In opening the Royal Show at Tomoana yesterday His Excellency, the Governor-General, Lord Galway, congratulated the society upon the large number of entries received in all sections, and said that despite the unfavourable weather he was sure that the show would be a great success. He was anxious to learn all he could of the ways of agriculture in New Zealand and he hoped that at the show he would have an opportunity to extend his knowledge to a large extent. Before declaring the show •pen Lord Galway was presented with a gold badge of life-member-ship of the Royal Agricultural Society by the president, Mr L. J. Wild. Mr J. H. McNlven, president of the Hawke’s Bay Society, welcomed Lord and Lady Galway to Hawke's Bay, and expressed the hope that they would find much to interest them at the show. His Excellency began by expressing his regret that his and Lady Galway’s visit was necessarily short, but pressure of business in Wellington prevented their extending their stay in this district. He regretted also that his children could not be present to take part with their ponies in the jumping competitions. It was a pleasure to visit the show, His Excellency added, and .though it was unfortunate that the weather was wet, it must be remembered that .though the rain was not perhaps welcome from the point of view of the show authorities, nevertheless it was good for agriculture. He understood that the farming community were anxious for rain, but evidently it had come at the wrong time. Doming through the district, he added, it had been pleasant to notice how bright everything was looking, and he hoped that the splendid appearance •f the countryside meant a prosperous year for farming in this district and throughout the Dominion. Looking through the show programme, he had been much struck with the large number of entries, and with the evident interest in the show that was being taken by exhibitors. There might be some who thought that the principle that "what was good enough for my grandfather is still good enough for me,’’ was still applicable to farming, but it was not according to such principles that farming would make progress. Agriculture must be a progressive Industry, and if it was to progress it must not only find the best markets, but must send to those markets the very best produce. The research work that was being done for agriculture should be closely studied so that every farmer might learn how to improve the quality of his produce. It was only by keeping up with the march of progress that the best markets could be assured, and the best prices obtained. Agriculture should be interested not only in its own especial activities, but with horticulture, the improvement of country life, the beautifying of country homes and homesteads, and with everything that appertained to the outdoor life. He hoped that everyone present would take careful stock of the exhibits, and he was sure that then the added knowledge that they would gain by learning the lessons that the show had to teach would be reflected in an improvement in the standard of agriculture. After saying that he was anxious to learn something of agriculture as it is practised in the Dominion, His Excellency concluded by wishing the show every success. He hoped that the coming season would be mure favourable •nd that prosperity would smile once more upon this community. Before going on to the grandstand to •peak. His Ercellency, who was accompanied by Their Excellencies’ host and hostess, Mr and Mrs E. J. Herrick, inspected a guard of honour provided by the Boy Scouts. Speaking for the Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand, Mr. Wild thanked Their Excellencies for their acceptance of the invitation to be present, and said that for his own part he had been fortunate in his presidency, the period of which included the magnificent Royal Show in Southland last year and the present Royal Show, which, despite the wet weather, he felt sure would b- complete success. After referring to the beauty of the grounds, Mr. Wild went on to say that the Royal Agricultural Society was concerned not alone with organising shows, hut with aiding and promoting agricultural research. The society did not lose sight of the fact that the King set an example as an Englishman who was interested in farming, breeding and exhibiting, and who was a lover of country life. The lead that His Majesty had given was one that the society would follow. The society was also much concerned with improving country homes and country life. The spacial section of the stand on which Their Excellencies were seated was effectively transformed from its usual appearance, and wax prettily •nd effectively decorated in purple and gold satin with palms and flowers skirting the steps and the platform itself. This decorative scheme wa« the work of Mrs F C. Wilkinson, of Hastings, and greatly enhanced the appearance of the stand.