THE POLICY OF THE SHOW YARD & ITS ADMINISTRATIVE METHODS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2675, 21 June 1905, Page 6

THE POLICY OF THE SHOW YARD & ITS ADMINISTRATIVE METHODS.

Tli3 General Public. — Although the exhibitor is a primary factor in the show system in this colony, where the associations are not subsidised by the State, shows could not exist without the support at the turnstiles of the general public, including the ordinary sightseer. In view of later day developments such, questions arise as, Are shows holding their own in this respect, and what modification of their policy and method' are necessary to ensure this support? We live in an age of competition, and many rival attractions have sprung up in recent times to tempt the ordinary pleasure-seeker. It is an age, too, that pays little or no deference to mere tradition, and consequently no institution can permanently live upon the memories of the past. Whether it be a business or a society, it must nowadays possess the power of adapting itself to modern conditions if it is to hold its own. The old show programme which took cognisance of the tastes of the agricultural section only of the community is too restricted for to-day, and a wider circle has now to be appealed to. The experiences of English agrciultural associations are suggestive. Not long since a very strong statement was made by a nobleman, Loid Brougham and Vaux, whose attachment to agricultural interests entitle him to be listened to with respect. Writing to an agricultural society, to whose funds he had been a generous contributor, his lordship said : —

'"I see hundreds go to a football match and other minor amusements, while tmt very few visit agricultural shows. I hare, therefore, come to the sorrowful conclusion that perhaps our wisest course would be to abandon the show. I gire you my opinion for what it may be worth. lam not sanguine as regards the future, feeling that the prosperity of agricultural shows is past, and so far as I can see, not likely to return ; they are not sufficiently exciting for the people of these times." The secretary of the Bath and West of England Society combats these views. He 6ays : "When I remember that at an agricultural show held atJßristol last year (1900) nearly 80,000 persons paid for admission, and at Swansea this year, notwithstanding unpropitious weather, nearly 80,000 persons paid for admission at the gates, I cannot shaie these pessimistic views. Nevertheless I do not go so far as to assert that there is no foundation for them. It is calculated that during the last 30 years the tenant farmers and the owners of agricultural land have, between them, lost a sum of money greater than the whole of the National Debt, whilst, in the same period, the agricultural population of the United Kingdom has greatly diminished. The numbers and the means of the men in the country being thus reduced, we must look to the men in the towns if the> gap is to be filled. How far then is it prudent and politic to go in the matter of supplying the modern demand, for what are termed 'popular attractions?'" Whilst no hard and fast line can bo drawn, because local conditions are an element in the case. I hope that our shows may be able to fulfil their mission without following the example of some of the colonies, wheie a large portion of the showyard pai takes of the nature of a country fair, and where acrobats, contortionists, performing animals, et hoc genus omne, arc allowed to disport themselves. I would substitute for these plenty of good music, floricultural displays and exhibitions H-

lustrative of arts and crafts and village industries. In the matter of attractions, I think, in this country at anyriite, we can safely trust what has been desciibecl as 'the great body of middle opinion which typifies in itself solid, sober, Biitish common sense,' likely to be well represented on agricultural show committees, to know where to stop. We have most of us come round to the opinion that no open-air agricultural stock show can exist without recognising the sporting instincts of .Britishers by the provision of jumping: competitions, and it is satisfactory to find, on the testimony of judg-es of wide experience, that this has not resulted in ' attracting only circus horses, trained to j negotiate a series of show ring obstacles, and good for nothing else. The quality of the horses entered has distinctly improved, and their aggregate monetary value has largely increased, as these competitions have become more general. At the same time, I do not defend their introduction to the showyards on any higher ground than that of expediency and as a. means of assisting societies to carry out their primary objects. Anything not strictly agricultural must not be allowed to absorb the chief energies of societies, but must be regarded merely as a help to provide the sinews of war for the promotion of more essential work." A common source of anxiety to agricultural societies is a falling off in the number of those regular subscribers, who, in the old days, acted upon the principle that an association or institution should be supported for its own sake-, irrespective of any quid pro quo to be had in return. , These subscribers used to be the backbone of the members' list, for they gave orders j upon their bankers which lasted to the i day of their death. The race has not died out. but its rank,, are sadly diminished, and the only consolation (if consolation it be) is that most other organisations tell the same tale. It may be that people being rated so much more than formerly reduce their voluntary subscriptions proportionately, added to which societies aremuch iftore numerous than they used to be. Societies should encourage permanent membership by a reduction of entry fees to members elected not less than six months previous to the date of the show. This time limit would help to lessen the number of those who join just before a show* merely to have the benefit of members* lees, and then, having grasped the priz-e> money, take their names off, and rejoin; when they have something else gocd enough to win. j