OPENING CEREMONY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 163, 12 June 1939, Page 9

OPENING CEREMONY.

OFFICIAL SPEECHES. VISITOR'S CONGRATULATIONS. Tn tlie course of the speech in which Sir Harry Batterbee, High Commissioner for the Touted Kingdom in New Zealand, declared the Show open, he made reference to Palmerston North’s loading position as an agricultural centre and touched on the value of the Show and instructional institutions in the district in the advancement of knowledge relative to the dairy industry. Sir Harry was accompanied in the ofiicial enclosure in the main stand by Messrs O. E. Vile (president of the A. and P.‘Association), A E. Manrford (Mayor), J. Hudgens, ALP., A. Burgess (immediate (last president of the association), Af. A. Eliott (treasurer), ft. S. Abraham (a past president), B. E. Keillor (senior vice-president.) and Captain S. Holm (president of the AVellington Chamber of Commerce). PRES IDENT’S AYE LCO A lE. Hi extending a welcome to Sir Harry liatterhee, Air Vile expressed his pleasure at the High Commissioner’s acceptance of the invitation to open the Show, and referred to Sir I Tarry’s position in New Zealand. Air Vile also welcomed the great gathering of people present. Such an attendance was an encouragement to him and to members of the committee, he said, as they could see that their efforts were really appreciated. There wore many improvements the association’s committee had in mind, hut these could bo brought about only by hearty co-opera-tion between the association and the public. The committee members had done their best to provide an interesting programme, not only on one day hut at various periods during the Show. Afr Vile expressed his great pleasure that the United Kingdom Government had chosen, as its High Commissioner in New Zealand, one who was conversant not only with industry but who had also an association with farming lor very many years. To Sir Harry the speaker extended a most coidial welcome. ASSOCIAT lON AYITH EARAIING. “| regard it as a very great honour to have been asked to open the Alanawatu and AVest Coast A. and P. Association’s Winter Show,” said Sir Harry. “Palmerston North is the agricultural centre ot Now Zealand, and it is fitting therefore that my first visit outside Wellington should’he paid to this district. On one side of my family 1 come from a race of farmers—my forbears bred sheep in Hie Romney Alarsli for about .TOO years, and 1 am greatly interested in farming and agricultural development ol : all kinds. 1 have thore-

fore been examining this exhibition with Ihc liveliest of interest, and desire to offer all the exhibitors my warmest congratulations. It is a very line and well-organised Show, which reflects the greatest credit on the president and secretary and all concerned, and I am proud to open it. “The Alnnawatu and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association hold its first Show in 1880, and its first Winter Show in 1903, when there were seven classes for butter and cheese and a total of ‘l2 entries. At this year’s Show there are 20 classes for dairy produce and <157 entries have been received from various parts of the Dominion. “I am told that it is the most comprehensive and evenly balanced Show in New Zealand, both primary and secondary industries being well represented. T have been greatly struck by the excellence of the grounds and buildings. The present Show fills the halls to overflowing, and if it expands still further it will-clearly he necessary to erect more buildings. The grounds and buildings, f understand, are used for social and sporting activities when not required for exhibition purposes, and I am very glad to hear that the property is becoming the playground of the city. QUALITY OF PRODUCE. “Among the things which have struck me, and what I have noted with the greatest pleasure, as compared with my Inst visit, is the improvement in the quality of Now Zealand butter and cheese,” the High Commissioner proceeded. “There can he no doubt that no small credit for this advance belongs to the AYinter Show. Not only do the Show Association.? conduct competitive exhibitions in those products hut the Shows afford an opportunity to the factory managers and -assistants who visit them to compare their produce with that of other factories. I understand that during the progress of the present Show a factory managers’ grading competition will he held and that this contest wifi give competitors a first-hand knowledge of the requirements of the export market. CO-OPER A ETON EY HAUNT. “I have boon greatly impressed by the good feeling in New Zealand between town and country, between farmers and businessmen. These Shows, with their exhibitions both of primary produce and secondary industries, provide a common meeting-ground for manufacturers and agriculturalists, and have been of great value in helping to establish a good understanding between rural and urban interests. “There is no need for me to dilate on the great importance of the dairy industry to New Zealand and the vital necessity of maintaining the high standard of that industry if, in these days of competition, New Zealand’s place in the world’s markets is to he preserved. T would like to congratulate Massey College and the Dairy Research Institute on the valuable work which they have done in helping to buhl up this high standard. I visited Mascy College this morning and was greatly interested by all that T saw. Tt is a great tiling that the farming community should have available to its members sucli excellent instructional facilities.

! “Wo all realise nowadays the imI portanco of education '.l success is to I be achieved in any walk of life. “In conclusion, may I repeat that Palmerston North lias every reason to lie proud of its dairy industry and of its Show, and it gives me very great pleasure to declare tbo. Show open.” On tlio call of Mr Vile, three cheers wore accorded Sir Harry Batterboe.