COURAGE OF PIONEERS

Southland Times, Issue 23998, 13 December 1939, Page 21

COURAGE OF PIONEERS

r[E allocation of the Centennial Royal Show to Invercargill is welcomed by the citizens who appreciate that the prosperity of the farming community is vital to the progress of the city. This show will serve as another important milestone in the development and progress of Southland and it will encourage recognition of the sound foundation on which the early settlement of this

province was laid less than 100 years ago when settlement became general. There has been a steady expansion of production and the industry and efficiency of the farmers have been indicated by the steady development of business activity on the .city.

While the establishment of. secondary industries creates employment, increases purchasing power and should tend to raise the standard of living, economic law and past experience show that the benefits from the encouragement of secondary industries may be illusory or temporary unless

•The Mayor of Invercargill.

the primary industries are based on a firm and stable foundation.

The old pioneers, who came to this part of the country when its prospects were unknown, by exhibiting grit, courage, determination and thrift brought about the transition of a land that was sparing its bounties and made it yield the rich harvests ‘which are now so abundantly reaped. Great progress has been made since the early days and a great advance has taken place during recent years, but it may well be that, in the vast, untapped resources of the province, development has not been as rapid as it might, with advantage, have been. Now that increased production and a continuity of supplies to the Allies are such vital factors in the continued existence of the British Empire, the time may well have arrived when the potefitialities of the Southland province should be exploited to the full. A farm, dairy factory and other forms of primary production are units of the war machines ranking in importance with the great guns in the battle line. The variety and quality of the exhibits of the Royal Show; will afford a striking illustration of the part Southland is playing in maintaining production and will be an inspiration to those visitors from the north as well as to our own 'people. I am confident that, on this special occasion as in the past, the citizens of Invercargill ’will join with their fellow Southlanders in making the Centennial Royal Show an outstanding success.