OTAGO A. AND P. SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3886, 4 September 1928, Page 12

OTAGO A. AND P. SOCIETY.

The Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society is, so to speak, on the horns of a dilemma. Is the association to stagnate in regard to its summer and winter shows, or is the time ripe for a forward move to be made and provide for the requirements of the primary and secondary industries of Otago? The latter proposal would mean the erection of buildings at Tahuna Park capable of serving the purposes of the Winter Show and exhibitions by the Dunedin Manufacturers Association. The question to be decided is one which has exercised the minds of the committee for some considerable time, but a final solution has not yet been arrived at. Many suggestions have been made from time to time, but on examination have been rejected. The Winter Show, as held for some years now in the Crawford street premises, answered satisfactorily up to the period when taxes and overhead expenses commenced to pile up, and the demand for space for exhibition purposes proved how inadequate the present buildings were for displays commensurate with the importance of the province. The times will not permit of turning away primary and secondary exhibits. We are at the parting of the ways. The society must either carry on alone in a second-rate sort of way, and probably have to put up with diminished yearly returns, or go with the tide and visualise the future as the pioneer settlers were wont to do, and cater for to-day’s and future requirements. The time has come when those most concerned with the successful carrying on of the agricultural and pastoral functions in Otago must take the long view.. We find Auckland, Wellington, and Canterbury manufacturers linking up with their respective A. and P. Societies, and making success of their enterprises. Can Otago afford to mart time any longer? The opportunity of developing Tahuna Park is surely alluring. ■ This area of 25 acres, vested in the Otago A. and P. Society specifically for show purposes, calls for development in the interests of both country and city residents. Of course, any scheme of development along the lines indicated is of more immediate concern to the Otago Society than to any other body, but provided the interests of the association are safeguarded there should be no undue risks incurred. As to the popularity of the scheme to the Dunedin public there is little fear of opposition, seeing that the City Council, Chamber of Commerce, motor agents, sports, Expansion League, etc., have intimated tentative approval. If the great bulk of opinion is in favour of developing Tahuna Park, as seems to be the case, and those who arc most conversant with the position consider that the time is opportune for an advance movement, then country members of the committee should have little or no , hesitation in the matter. Neither should they shelve their responsibilities on the

pica that they have been stampeded into acquiescence, when the scheme Comes before them for consideration. Now is the time. The one and only drawback to Tahuna Park as a summer show ground has been the lack of a loading bank. If, however, practically all those interested in the progress of Dunedin favoured the proposed scheme of utilising Tahuna Park to the utmost, no doubt this would eventuate in good time.