VISITORS ENTERTAINED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 431, 23 June 1922, Page 5

VISITORS ENTERTAINED.

SPEECH BY PRIME MINISTER

IMPORTANT MATTERS DISCUSSED

The annual smoke concert was held last night under the auspices of the Manawatu and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association. The president of the association, Mr 11. Y. Lethbridge, was in tiiu chair, supported by the Prime Minister, the Hon. \V. F. Massey; the Aim u'icau Consul-General, Mr W, E. Wilbur; the Mayor of Palmerston North, Mr J. A. Nash, M.P.; the Director-General of Agriculture,. Ur. C. J. Realms; and the director of the Dairy Division, Mr W. M. Singleton. In all over 250 persons were in attendance, including many visitors from other districts.

Responding to the toast of Parliament, the Prime Minister, who was received with applause, said that it was Ids job to keep the Parliament of the Dominion the most loyal Parliament in the Empire. Jt was also his job to keep out the Bolshevists and those of that ilk; and he looked to those present to help him in his endeavour. (Applause.) In passing, he paid a tribute to the poultry exhibition at the show, which was tile best he had seen in the Dominion. As regards the show proper, it had improved out of all knowledge. It was a good show and he admired the spirit of the people behind it. If the Government could do without the amusement tax so far as agricultural and pastoral associations were concerned lie was going to ask Parliament to lift it.

PROSPEROUS PALMERSTON NORTH. Mr Massey’s next point was that there were no signs of bad times in Palmerston North. Hu hoped before long that they would see the country’s revenue mounting up instead of tumbling down. When that happy day was reached he would table proposals for the reduction of taxation. After referring to the fact that the country had experienced a very good season he mentioned the wonderful growth in the. dairying' industry experienced in New Zealand during the past four or five years. Continuing, he pointed out that cheese suffered during the war, but from what he had heard he believed it was regaining its reputation. Referring to produce generally, he touched upon the difficulty with regard to meal. The Meat Control Board had not had a proper chance yet to get going, but already it had done good work. '1 he toast of the Agricultural Department was, coupled with the names of Dr. Realms and Mr Singleton, proposed by Mr S. R. Lancaster.

In replying, Dr. Reakes said that during the last leu years the development of tho primary industries had been very marked —particularly in the dairying industry, and incidentally the rapid strides made by the poultry industry should not be overlooked. The development of the department had largely been of an instructional nature and he hoped that in tho future it would be one of still greater use in this connection. lie expressed his appreciation of the valuable advice and assistance his department had been able to get from the Hoard of Agriculture since its inception. In congratulating the A. and P. Society, ho said its winter show was one of the best in the British Empire.

WONDERFUL PRODUCTION. Mr Singleton, in the course of his reply, said that the exhibits of butter and cheese, the machinery, combined with the largo attendance were good evidence that tne dairy farmers were keeping up heart and were not going to succumb to pessimism. Referring to lire dairying industry, he said that the total butter-lat production tor tho late season showed the very respectable increase of 26 per cent, over the previous crease ot 26 per cent, over the previous season, which was itself a record. Despite this enormous increase in production, and the greater demands made upon the dairy factory managers, the quality of their produce hud been well maintained during the past season. The department was also striving to do something more in connection wim the quality of the Dominion's milk supply. Much would, he hoped, be accomplished to this end by the appointment of farm dairy instructors, whose .services were being freely enquired tor by dairy factories, who were responsible for providing their salaries. Another toast was that of the National Dairy Association anti tho Dairy Factory Managers’ Association, proposed by Mr S. R. Lancaster, and coupled with the names of Mr A. Morton and Mr Lorry. Replying, Mr Morton said tiiat they mm! feel proud of the dairying industry after hearing the very complimentary remarks M the Brime Minister that evening. Incidentally, the speaker said that the export value ot the dairy produce of the Dominion tim - ing the last 12 mouths was £16,000.000. THE KOVAL SHOW. Proposing the toast of the president ot the Maiuwaut and West Coast A. and P, Association, the Prune Minister said that a number ui high qualities had to be possessed by a gentleman at the head ot such an organisation, lie had manilold duties, not the least, ot which was the necessity tor keeping ins association on the right side ot me ledger. Review.ng the various shows held annually in the Dominion, ne said that "one ot these days' New Zealand was going to have a Royal .Show, tie did not Uno’.v wuoio it was gOiiig lust, aim ne was nor. going to luoaiid a pteuiciion, because there were three or lout, or five, associations worthy of it now. ibo presiUciit of Alantiwaiu’s show must, however, be toady lor Hus fixture when it came along -and no knew tnat tie v.otud bo quite equal to trio occasion. The educative side ot the shows was the most important feature of tneir work ami its mllueiico on production should not be lost sight ot. He would be very pleased to financially assist all ol them, tie could not promise anything, however, but maybe he would be able to provide some assistance in connection with tne forthcoming Royal Snow. (Applause.) In reply, Mr-Letnbmlge, m referring to (he question ot the Royal Snow, said that wneii it was instituted New Zealand would get visitors from all over the world and this would help 1 o create an overseas market tor New Zealand stock, than winch there were no better in the worm. Alter the Prime Minister’s remarus !e (the speaker) was ■ looking iorwtud to seeing a Royal Show established in New Zealand next year—- they did not wuere, lor Maiia\vatu was* not selfish in the matter. During the evening numerous other toasts interspersed with vocal items wete disposer.