WINTER SHOW ENTRY FEES.

Southland Times, Issue 20661, 17 April 1929, Page 3

WINTER SHOW ENTRY FEES.

To the Editor,

Sir,—Might I crave a little space in which to ventilate my views on the policy adopted by the directors of the Southland A. and P. Association in regard to the Winter Show. I in common with many’ others have had grave suspicions that a coterie of our present directors are out to kill the winter fixture and these suspicions have been strengthened by a perusal of the schedule for the forthcoming show. Recently a most successful campaign to raise funds for the A. and P. Association has been brought to a close. Money was subscribed from all over the province—byWinter Show exhibitors and summer show exhibitors alike, as well of Course the general public. One of the reforms confidently anticipated as the outcome of the improved financial state of the association was a general lowering of entry fees. I might mention here that for many years the entry fee for .roots etc. has been for the Otago Winter Show 1/- for members and 2/- for non-members and for the Southland 2/3 for members and 3/- for non-members, while the prize money has been equal.

In the- circumstances it is almost inconceivable that for the coming show the entry fee has been fixed at 4/- for members and 5/- for non-members. This can only have one result —a general falling off in entries. One can then envisage our "summer show directors” raising the cry’ that the farming community is not patronizing the Winter Show while a grand climax would be the "reluctant decision” to abandon the winter fixture.

Many of the directors arc fond of reiterating the fact that the Winter Show seldom pays its way. Is it any wonder that this is tho case when the policy seems to he “stoush the Winter Show and spoon feed the summer"? The Summer Show exhibitors carry out a great work in demonstrating the correct breeding of live stock. The Winter Show exhibitor has at least as important a part to play in demonstrating how to grow feed-stuffs. It is a generally conceded point that feeding takes a prior claim to breeding. A well-fed mongrel may be profitable, but a half-starved animal is only a liability, be its blood of the deepest hue of blue. At one time a general meeting of A. and P. members was held each year when many useful suggestions were proffered the directors as to the betterment of both shows. Of late years however a "dinner” has replaced the business meeting—a dinner at which the few long-suffering members who roll up have to listen to a great many speeches and drink a great many’toasts and then go away home without one single iota of good as the outcome. I have no hesitation in saying that the A. and P. Association would lose nothing and gain: much by the inclusion ■ in their ranks of one. two or three "Winter Show directors.” who would strive to bring the winter fixture up-to-date by means of such reforms as the inclusion of district bays etc. Tn fact with a little trouble the Southland Show could easily be made the foremost winter exhibition in New Zealand. In anv case nobodj’ who has the welfare of the Winter Show at heart would expect tn help matters by raising the already high level of entry fees. —I am, etc.. MEMBER.