Only Two Royal Shows?

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 136, 11 June 1936, Page 6

Only Two Royal Shows?

SOUTHERNERS SAY CHRISTCHURCH AND PALMERSTON NORTH. Per Pres 3 Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. A proposal that the Royal Show should bo held at only two centres in New Zealand, at Christchurch one year and at Palmerston North the next, was discussed at length at to-day’s meeting of the general committee of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Although several .speakers spoke strongly In support of the proposal no resolution was carried, the opinion being expressed that such a resolution would not come well from tho Canterbury Association and the proposal was one for breeders and not agricultural and pastoral associations as interested parties to support. Reference was made in the discussion to a Press Association report of a meeting in Invercargill in which it had been alleged that Canterbury was playing a big part in the move to have the venues lor Royal Shows limited to the two cities. Several speakers said that the reference was unfortunate and the remarks made in the southern report should have been applied to South Canterbury which had long publicly advocated the limitation proposal. There had been no remit supporting the proposal sent forward from the Canterbury Association, it was stated.

Mr. D. W. Westenra, who began the discussion, said that it was his considered opinion that the show should, bo held alternatively at Palmerston North aud Christchurch. Naturally Invercargill and Auckland wanted to hold Royal Shows, but New Zealand was too narrow for exhibitors to travel from one end of one island to the far end of the other. There should be one central site in the North Island and one in the South Island.

Mr. J. R, Little said that only Palmerston North and Christchurch could give the facilities for stock and accommodation that were expected at a Royal Show.