Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1912. THE NEED OF THE DISTRICT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue XLVII, 19 April 1912, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1912. THE NEED OF THE DISTRICT.

INTEREST IN MATTERS AGRICULTURAL. IT is deplorable that Nelsonians do not realise more fully than they do that their future progress and prosperity denend in large measure on the land. If people had a proper conception of this fact, the Nelson Agricultural and Pastoral Association would receive far more support than it does. It is nothing less than a serious reflection upon the intelligence ami foresight of both town and country residents, that the utmost difficulty was experienced in securing a quorum for the annual meeting of the Association. If this were a mining district, if we depended for our welfare upon our manutactures, there might be sonic excuse for public apathy. l>ut no other district in New Zealand, more than Nelson, is in need of urgent effort being made to promote tlv? interests of the agricultural community. Practically all our wealth in the first instance conies out of (lie land, and if we, as a district. have not the sense to some to dinner when wo are called, we deserve to go hungry. What is required more

Ulan anything else in this district at the 2->resent time is a quickening of interest in matters agricultural. Nelson has possibilities before it if only the farmers and townspeople alike, will grasp the h;\nd of opportunity which is extended to them.

Tlie curse of Nelson is the phelgmatic individual who does not take the trouble to interest himself in the. welfare of the tie is igiloi'aiit of its potentialities, aiid he mistakes iu's own limitation? for those of the district. If f.hel'e is nii.V forwat'd movement all he does is to retard the efforts made. Altogether the district would be better without him. On the other hand, there is the man who readily admits the necessity of sucli movements, is pleased, if it suits him,- to acknowledge the efforts of others, and really, if it does Dot inconvenience him in the slightest degree, he is finite prepared to do something himself, especially "if there is something in it." Then again there are those who have been engaged in other activities, and have not made, the necessary time to interest themselves in agricultural matters. And it is to the latter that this article specially appeals. There are hundreds of "good men and true" who could well afford to lend assistance in the direction of promoting the interests of farmers—and this .means that they would be indirectly furthering their own interests—who at present do little or nothing. Their energies would have the effect of putting new life and energy into the Agricultural Association, additions which would do that body no harm. But it'is not desired to reflect on the faithful few who labour long and diligently to keep things going; i'or it is mainly owing to the lack of support that this body has not moved as fast as could reasonably have been expected of it. It is in a splendid position financially, and the foresight of its early members has placed it in a position to do much for the district to-day. The Association is in need of new life and vigour. The time has arrived for the widening of its activities, and to mention one thing, a comprehensive Winter Show, to be held, say, in the city, should be instituted without delay.

It is well to refer again to the necessity for added interest in agriculture in all its branches. Science has done perhaps more for the farmer than for anv other section of the people, and it is a well-known fact that the farmer todav must work with his brains just as much as with his hands. As we have so frequently remarked, agriculture is an elaborate and complicated science, and it is the duty of the Government, assisted by the people, to keep the rural industries of the country abreast with the latest and most approved developments in the worid. - Reduced down to pounds, shillings, and pence, it means, of course, that,'the better the crop, the firmer the grass, the sounder the breed, the better the wool, the more'wealth in the district. And it has the incidental advantage m that the extra is obtained with comparatively very little further outlay. Our farmers will obtain better prices for their products, and consequently the district will be so much better oil. Surely it is the earnest desire of all to see this district go ahead and prosper, to see the farmers better off, to see more ot them, which alone can increase permanently the size and importance of the city itself. Nelson's best friend is the man away back cutting out a home for himself in the bush. He labours long and sacrifices much, but he assists tile district as a whole ; and yet there are some people who consider he is not entitled to the few acres he has cleared. And next to him come those who, by the latest scientific methods, are endeavouring to make two blades of grass grow in the place of one, and those who are endeavouring to improve the breed of their stock. There are immense posiibilities in these directions, if only the farmers as a" whole will realise them. One of the best means of promoting interest in these matters is undoubtedly in the Agricultural and Pastoral Shows, where farmers are enabled to compare notes, and where they are able to see the best available in the district, in the various sections. But to be fully useful, the Association needs the -support, the active support, of both town and country residents. The "best interests of the district are suffering, and suffering seriously, because full advantage is not taken 'of the opportunities offering. How long is this deplorable suite of affairs to continue?