AGRICULTURAL PROBLEMS

Southland Times, Issue 24447, 29 May 1941, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL PROBLEMS

ROYAL SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND

“Because of the war and P etrol ; restrictions no meetings of the counci have been held since the last an n u ®J meeting,” stated the annual report ot the Southern District Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of Mew Zealand presented to the annual mee - ing of the council at Gore yesterday. At a recent meeting the Dominion president intimated that a good deal ot disappointment had been created by last year’s decision to abandon, holding a Royal Show during the war. He telt that there were many reasons now to feel that a mistake was made, and he asked that the matter be reconsidered at the forthcoming conference. The report and balance-sheet, which showed a credit of £36, were adopted. Mr J. A. Edwards was re-elected chairman and the following were elected to fill vacancies on the council: Messrs J. Holms (Waimahaka), E. H. Murney (Tapanui), R. D. Stewart (Dunedin), and R. F. Dickie (Wyndham). The following delegates to the Dominion Council were elected: Messrs J. A. Edwards, A. M. Weir, A. L. Adamson, R. D. Stewart, J. Marshall, A. S. Holms and P. Campbell.

The following show dates were approved:—Taieri, November 15; Otago, November 18 and 19; Clutha and Matau, November 28; Winton, November 29; Gore, December 2 and 3; Wyndham, December 6; Southland, December 9 and 10; Kelso, November 15 (provincial). ROYAL SHOW The question of the holding of the Royal Show this year was discussed

and the meeting was in favour of the show being held. Mr A. M. Weir stated that the council should guard against the Royal Agricultural Society holding its own show, as this would tend to do away with the peripatetic show. The following resolution was carried: “That while this meeting supports the principle of the peripatetic show and considers that a Royal Show should be held this year, it leaves the matter to the discretion of its delegates to the annual conference.” The Winton delegates raised the question of sheep being disqualified at one show in the natural classes being permitted to compete at another show in the same season. It was stated that sheep disqualified in these classes at the Winton show had been entered at othei' shows in similar classes, and it was contended that this should not be allowed. It was decided to recommend that a man be appointed by each Southland association, such men to form a committee to ensure that sheep disqualified in the natural wool classes be disqualified from competing at another show for that season in similar classes.

The question of the inspection of rams which were offered at fairs was raised, and during a short discussion the opinion expressed by several members was that flock rams should be inspected but that stud rams should not be inspected. It was considered that the breeders should be capable of deciding which sheep should be rejected. It was pointed out that this matter would be discussed at the annual meeting of the Royal Society when a remit from the Gore association would be forward. LICENSING OF SHOWMEN Mr A. L. Adamson gave a review of the decisions made about the licensing of showmen at the last annual meeting of the Royal Society. Several speakers expressed the opinion that showmen should be licensed and it was stated that if all Agricultural and Pastoral Associations in New Zealand enforced the licensing of showmen the position would not be such a difficult one. It was considered that the licensing of showmen should be carried out by the Royal Society and not by any district council, and a recommendation that the licensing of showmen be carried out by the Royal Society itself and not by any district council was carried unanimously. It was also decided to recommend to all metropolitan and major shows in the South Island that they stand firm and refuse to allow any unlicensed showmen on their grounds.