CORRESPONDENCE MR CONWAY’S SUGGESTION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 251, 20 September 1933, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE

MR CONWAY’S SUGGESTION.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —I note with considerable regret the reception accorded by the committee of the Manawatu and- West Coast A. and P. Association to the proposition advanced-by a member of that committee, Mr M. A. Conway. Mr Conway suggested, humorously, it is stated (though why should he cloak a really bright and attractive scheme in the apologetic garments of humour) that a bathing beauty competition would be a big draw from the point of view of the public. The report states that Mr Conway’s - proposal was not taken seriously. It seems to me that ihe committee has shown a considerable lack of discernment in not making this bathing beauty competition one worthy of investigation, instead.of, as it has done, carelessly disregarding it. Agricultural and pastoral show's serve an admirable purpose. They educate the city people and enable them to appraise tire value of the work which the farmer is doing and to appreciate the standard of the stock which he is breeding. But -why let the matter rest at such juncture? Mr Conway’s proposition is merely an example of how one man can see just a little further than another, or than a collection of others. All the wonderful cow's and sheep which proud farmers parade for their owm personal satisfaction produce butter and meat which build bonny babies in the homes of our cities, and it w'ould be extremely educative to the farmers if this proposal of Mr Conway’s w y as brought to its deserved fruition. Such a competition, as was facetiously rejected by this committee, would provide splendid evidence of the effect of our farm produce upon the youth of the country. If such a bathing beauty competition were held I venture to say that the average farmer would find liis inherent ability to assess quality in livestock standing him in good stead. Further, the change would be good for him. How refreshing he would find it, if, on turning from a four hour contemplation of Strawberry’s calf, he found himself confronted by calves of another kind. And again, further, imagine his joy, after sadly agreeing that Strawberry’s offspring was somewhat gross in neck and weak in character of eye to find a bathing beauty who was perfect in these points. Mr Conway is to be congratulated upon his longsightedness in suggesting this new departure. And the committee of this A. and P. Association would be showing very good sense in resurrecting his idea from the limbo of things not meriting consideration. —I am, etc., ART STUDENT.