GOVERNMENT OF SHOWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20304, 11 July 1929, Page 14

GOVERNMENT OF SHOWS.

NORTH ISLAND CONFERENCE.

QUESTION OF CHAMPIONSHIPS. CONSIDERATION FOR AUCKLAND. There was a representative attendance of delegates from all districts at the annual conference of the A. and P. associations of tho North Island, which was held in the Auckland A. and I'. Association's council rooms yesterday. Tho president, Mr. !?. N. Sandilands, of Fcilding, presided. With the exception of Egmont and llawkc's Bay, every association of importance is now embraced by the conference," stated tho president in speaking to the annual report, which was adopted without debate. It was hoped that during the ensuing year they would get those two associations to link up, and there was little doubt they would. Tho conference had done much work during the year, and had secured- many concessions from the Railway Department, which had met them in many ways. The president commented upon the amicable, arrangement of dales in (he South, where a good deal of conflict had been avoided, and commended the superannuation scheme which was being advanced bv the secretaries' conference. Officers Elected.

Officers for tho ensuing year were elected as follows:—President, Mr. J. M. James (Masterton) ; vice-presidents, Mr. J. T. F. Mitchell (Auckland) and Mr. 11. B. Stuckcy (Dannevirke); lion, treasurer, Mr. J. M Johnston (Palnierstou North); committee, Messrs. B. N. Sandilands (Fcilding), M. A. Conway (Cheltenham), 11. CI. Lever (Tauranga), C. E. Vile (Bulls), W. F. McLaren (Masterton), D. Ross (Wanganui), 11. J. Richards (Levin) and two members appointed by the secretaries' conference, Messrs. 11. S. M. Quigley (Dannevirke) and H. Smart (Carterton). The allocation of North Island championships was referred to the executive to bo dealt with immediately, and it was recommended that the Auckland A. and P. Association should bo very favourably considered when that allocation was under consideration. This resolution was substituted by Mr. W. F. O'Donnell, secretary of the Auckland Association, for tho notice of motion which stood in tho association's name to the effect that until such time as all A. and P. associations of tho North Island were affiliated t° the conference, the duties of the conference should be advisory, and not mandatory. Mr. O'Donnell pointed out that this had originated out of Auckland's claim to tho right to award North Island championships. "The time has now arrived for the North Island Confeiencc to take over this work," said .Mr. O'Donnell. "Auckland took it up when there was jio other body in sight to do it, but now it is ready to forgo its claims with the only condition that its next autumn showshould have favourable consideration when the 1930 North Island championships are'allotted." Tho conference affirmed the principle of a movable Royal Show as the settled policy of tho Royal Show Society. Rules lor Ring Events. In regard to ring competitions, the executive was asked to obtain the opin ions o; the affiliated associations in re ferenco to a proposed rule governing the number of horses that may be, ridden in any one competition by oiks person. A ruling was given by tho conference that, tho winner oi a pony jump was' not eligible to compete in maiden hunters' competitions. With the object of preventing progressive riders from competing in jumping events with an advantage, of up to two stone in weight, a remit was brought forward by the executive that a weight limit of list, be established for maiden hunters' competitions. After discussion the remit was lost, many delegates' holding that such a rule would inflict a hardship upon smaller shows. Renins' forwarded from Tuesday's conference of the associations or tho Auckland Province recommending representations to the Minister of Agriculture for the complete exemption from taxation of lands held by A. and P. associations, were carried. Boys' and Girls' Clubs. With tho object or stimulating interest and promoting a knowledge of livestock and agriculture, a, remit from tho Auckland association was adopted, to tho effect that A. and P associations throughout tho North Island should give their in promoting boys' and girls' agricultural clubs The chairman, in commending the idea, said i! had been introduced to Fcilding by Mr Wyld, a local headmaster, following a trip to Ameiica, and excellent results wero achieved. 'lhe work of tho yotiug breeders and the roots grown by them formed an important section of their shows. The A. and P. Association had given its support and had gone further and given the boys' and girls' clubs representation upon tho associations executive, without a vote. On the grounds that it was "outside the scope of tho conference,'' a remit from tho Manawatu Association, that the conference should support an effort to remove, tariff harriers within the Empire, was withdrawn.

A remit from the Auckland Association was carried, staling it was desiraMe that A. and P. ;issociations should be enabled lo finance their show grounds under (lie Stale Advances Act or tlx* Rural Advances Act, 1920. 11 was decided to ask the Railway Deparlment lo consider the issue of oneday excursion tickets for all shows that warranted it for return at single fare.