THE ROYAL SHOW.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20320, 31 January 1928, Page 4

THE ROYAL SHOW.

DATES AND VENUES

SPRING OR AUTUMN?

A SOUTHLAND GIUEA'ANCE

New Zealand seems to be in danger of losing its spring Royal Show.' The question of an autumn event came up for discussion at the last meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society’s executive, and it was apparent that the hulk of opinion was in favour of the later date. Breeders’ associations, agricultural and pastoral societies, and other farmers’ organisations had previously been circularised, and the response to the questionnaire sent out was greatly in favour of an autumn show. Breed societies opposed to the change numbered three, against nine for it. In respect of agricultural and pastoral associations the majority for an autumn fixture was five, the voting being 18 to 13. It would almost appear to be a foregone conclusion. Perhaps the most unsatisfactory feature of the controversy is its very noticeable tendency to develop into an issue between the North and South Islands. If that feeling gets a hold on those who have to make the decision there can be no doubt as to the final result. It would he extremely interesting if particulars of the voting could be published to show whence the supporters of the change hail. I have been told on reliable authority that the North island is almost entirely in favour of the autumn show, and t',’t what snj)port has been forthcoming for the present date has been mostly from the South Island. . At the executive meeting m question a prominent member pointed out the dan'or of introducing (ho intcrisland feeling, and an appeal was made for the most careful consideration. The counsel was a wise one and found expression in the decision to defer consderation until the Royal Exocutive had been able to confer with the committees of the two associations most closely connected with the holding of the show--Canterbury and Manawatu. To a certain extent the result depends on the attiiuue of these two bodies. The advisability or otherwise of art autumn Royal show is not the most urgent problem confronting the society just now, and the committee lavs itself open to cri_ ticism in considering the introduction of a new date and season before the show is ica'.lv (irmly established. There can he no doubt that the New Zealand Royal Show lias not yet reached a state of solid security. In many wavs its fate still rests in the balance, so that breeders and farmers intcrc.-tec! arc not unreasonable when tlmv ask why such controversial issues should be introduced before the society has reached an unassail thlc posilfan. A study of coiima-ative figures of membership ! covering the past four years is stifncent to illustrate this noint. Yet, while the societv is in need of every ounce of suppon available, it is proposed to bring about a change of date which cannot fad to result in a loss of active interest umorn' a 'nrre section of the country. The* society ce-tainly appears to have a’quec’aled the importance and necessity of restricting shows for some years tn c-me to the two centres mentioned above—f'hr stchurrh and Palmerston Nm lh. \et in this attitude they have c-onrted erdm-bn., and ever. ■ndignation from Southland, "•Inch province sees in the as vet halfformed proposal the stifling end ignnr ‘ in~ rf its hopes j n ve pet t of the ' conditional m-mulse made In -1 year 1 (bet Southland mhdit nosUb'y be allocted a Rove' show in 1929. ’1 here can be no question that Rr-aMsn,' by ■ reason of its splendid sto-k exHbitions every ve,v has made go"d its Fl’c to be considered when future Royal shows are be ; ng sited, but at the same time it eannol be denied that (be southern province h-s not the nopulalion require'’ ’o make the show a financial success. Without a good "ale Ihe Roval show could cearcc'c s”c'eed however excellent ’he qmalit" of the exhibits. >t is not Aren't to nudm-stand ike attitude of Southland exhibitors. T '>a eonsigu-—e-it of stock to either C-nto-bury nr Mrnawatn is an e v->pns ; "" k..=fi""=s, nw| pte,, can sepree’y be k’a..-ed U’" com n’eioing abtn* having lo be-'- that ex-poe-o v C ar af’er 'ear, but th» iss„p at cj-a'-c is of fa- or-.-ter imro v ’* l "op (Uau p-cym-pi ’’’’•a fnt'O'l’ n f Ifir, no-f’ -how " ’1 bp dnmdnd 1" I’° I „pvt firm' voars. r-1 F-r-< ner ; r.i Mrj pv-'- 'divo cmv-ot 'm Warned ~<Wi,.- ' „ Op., pem-v" nol-V,. un’-T Iho re - PCS.,red— and that no’h- m"s( ’’"c'lifa ad horen-o to the "-esenf date and a rostnc(:on of venues for the present at lea=t.