SOUTHLAND FARMERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20302, 9 July 1929, Page 9

SOUTHLAND FARMERS.

INSPECTION OF EXHIBITION.

OFFICIAL WELCOME TENDERED.

SEVERAL FACTORIES VISITED. Before inspecting (.he Auckland Winter Exhibition yesterday tho Southland farmers, who spent the week-end in the city, wero officially welcomed to Auckland liy Mr. J. T. F. Mitchell, president of the Winter Show Committeo. Tho visitors, whose party of 280 includes 60 women, assembled inside the imposing entrance Rates, where the speeches of welcomo wero made.

"We realise that you have come 1000 miles, and wo want to assuro you of our appreciation," said Mr. Mitchell. "The idea of these visits is very good. It is not merely a matter of profits for the Railway Department, but the exchange of visits is educational. We want to eliminate the feelings of North versus South that have arisen sometimes, and the Railway Department is to be commended for giving the people of the two islands an opportunity of coming together more." Mr Mitchell said that he hoped their stay in Auckland would bo a very happy one. The Other Man's Viewpoint. Mr. A. A. Ross, president of the Auckland branch of tho New Zealand Farmers' Union, also welcomed the visitors. He said that they would not find so much cultivated land in the North, where pastures once put down steadily improved. That was the great difference between the North and tho South. Such interchanges of visits would bring them into touch with tho other man's viewpoint and help them to solve a lot of their , problems. Replying on behalf of the visitors, Mr. D. Dickie, an ex-president of the Southland branch of the Farmers' Union, thanked the speakers for their expressions of goodwill. He said that he also wanted to acknowledge the kindly thought which sent Mr. G. Finn, president of the Auckland Manufacturers' Association, to Frankton to meet them. That act was greatly appreciated by the visitors, who wero travelling in the dark toward a strange land. "These excursions have a very high educational value, and the Railway Department must bo congratulated upon its enterprise in inaugurating them." said Mr. Dickie. Royal Show at Invercargill. "This is the fourth excursion from the South Island this winter, and if the experience of this party is the same as that of the others the members will go back with many pleasant recollections and with a widened vision that only travel can give," said Mr. D. Rodie, commercial manager of the Railway Department. Just before he left Wellington he was informed that the next Royal Show would be held at invercargill next December, and from what ho knew of his Southland friends it would be made a. record. Later, the party was divided, and while one section was conducted round the exhibition, a smaller party was taken to inspect the Colonial Ammunition Company's works at Mount Eden. In tho afternoon visits were, .m&do to a number of other large manufacturing .' establishments. in which tho visitors evinced the keenest interest. COMPLIMENTARY SUPPER. FUNCTION AT EXHIBITION. The Southland Farmers were the guests of tho Winter Show Committee last evening at a supper given in tho exhibition building. The president, Mr. J. T. F. Mitcholl, presided over a very large attendance, both of the farmers and representative citizens. In extending a welcomo to the visitors, tho president said that he did not want them to think that tho undeveloped land which they had seen was waste land. These lands would all be brought under treatment and would become profitable, " I know of no movement more likely to bring about a better understanding and greater efficiency in the development of industries than these visits," said Mr. G. Finn, president of the Auckland Manufacturers' Association. They were fraught ■with wonderful possibilities, and he hoped that they were established now for all time. Farming to-day was not what it was even 10 years ago. At one time it was the pursuit of tho individual, but today it was ai more serious business, and its success was a. national concern. Ho wanted the visitors to go back satisfied that, they had profited. Southland had wonderful possibilities, and this was borno out by tho fact that in the last 30 years tho province had made greater progress than any other in the South Island. In the absence of tho Mayor, a welcome was given by the deputy-mayor, Mr. A. J. Entrican, who expressed tho hope that some of the visitors would consider taking up land in the Auckland Province. Replies on behalf of tho visitors were given by Mr. D. Dickie, a past president of the Southland provincial branch of tho New Zealand Farmers' Union, Mr. A. L. Adamson, secretary of the branch. Mr. W. Alexander, Mr. H. Smith McNab and Mrs. W. Orr, president of the Women's Division of the Balfour branch of the Farmers' Union. The proceedings we're brought to a rlo:;e by the singing of "Auld Lang Syne."