SMOKE CONCERT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 739, 22 June 1923, Page 5

SMOKE CONCERT.

AT SHOWGROUNDS LECTURE HALL

LOUR HUNDRED PRESENT.

Over four hundred dairymen, agriculturalists, poullrymen and others attending the various conferences held in Palmerston North in conjunction with the Winter Show attended tho anual smoke concert of the Manawatu A. and P. Association which was held in the lecture hall at the Showgrounds last night, Mr K. W. Dalryniple, president of the association, presided and, following the loyal toast which was enthusiastically honoured, extended a warm welcome to those present, among tho Kucsls being the lion. W. Nosworthy, Minister of Agriculture, Mr W. M. Singleton, Director of tho Dairy Division of tho Department of Agriculture, Mr A. Morton, president of the National Dairy Association, Messrs J. A. Nash and J. Linklater, Ms.P.; F. J. Nathan (Mayor of Palmerston North) and Sir Alexander Matiieson.

Proposing the toast of “The Department of Agriculture” the chairman remarked that he was very pleased to have the opportunity of welcoming flic Hon. W. Nosworthy, to whom he extended hearty congratulations on having initiated the Feilds Division of his departemni, which had botni placed under the control of Air Cockayne. Continuing, Air Dalrymplo referred to the dairying industry generally, and then called upon the Minister to respond. Air N’oswortlry’s remarks appear in another column.

In response to the toast, with which his name had been coupled, Dr. J. C. Reakes, Director of Agriculture, who referred to the services rendered to the industry by the Department of Agriculture, remarked (hat the measure of success achieved by the department was due to the efforts of the .Minister himself and to the officers under him. Tho Dominion was fortunate in having such a good department. The industry, he added, had benefited and tiny production had increased, which was most satisfactory, and there was no doubt that the producers would continue to increase production in the years to come. He referred to tho need for getting rid of inferior cows. This question had been going on for some time, but it must be remembered that, although the. average yearly production of butter fat was only 160 lbs., that computation applied to all cows in the country—those in milk and those that wore dry. If tho average was taken on actual milking cows only they would find the yield would be very much higher,

The toast of “The National Dairy Association’’ was proposed by Mr Nash, who remarked that the question had sometimes been asked as to whether the association was a useful organisation or not. He was more than pleased to propose the toast, because ho realised that the country owed to the services rendered by the association, a fact which they all recognised and which had been testified to by the large number of delegates who had attended the annual conference. The association was indeed fortunate in having such an efficient chairman us it had in Mr Morton, and also in its officers. Referring to the decision of the association to hold the next conference in Auckland, Mr Nash facetiously remarked that Palmerston North did not grudge Auckland the privilege, but if the delegates lost their way in a big city like Auckland they would always bo pleased to see them back again in Palmerston North. (Laughter.) In response, Mr Morton reviewed the aims and objects of the association, and, dealing with the proposal to establish a Dairy Control Board, he remarked that the opinion was expressed at times that the hoard would limit the functions _of the Association. However true that might be, the association was convinced that the board would bo for the good of the industry and they would not complain about any limitation of its powers. (Applause.) Proposing the toast of “The Visitors”, Mr Nathan spoke on many phases of the dairying industry, strongly advoca ting the establishment of an agricultural college for the training of the agricultural staff. He referred to Denmark and observed that, with reference to the comments on the production of that country, the latter was not as big as the Wellington province. In that country tho instructors of agriculture could go to a school, and he asked that, the same privileges be given to_ the Now Zealand men. They often considered the question of Imperial preference, he continued, and asked themselves why, although preferential treatment was given to British goods, the same preference was not extended to New Zealand produce at Home. This was a matter that should engage their very serious attention. The toast was responded to by Mr N. Ehnslie, British Trade Commissioner, and Messrs H. C. Cameron ami J. Corrigan. Other toasts honoured were sa follows; “Kindred Associations, Judges and Exhibitors,” proposed by Mr S. R. Lancaster and responded to by Messrs ,W. Perry and A. E. Hard ing; ‘‘Dai ry Factory (Managers” proposed by Mr J. Linklater, and responded to by (Messrs Ward and Middleton; “Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association,” proposed by Sir A. Mathoson, responded to by the president; “Manawatu Poultry Association” and “‘The Press.” Musical items wore rendered by local talent during the evening.