GOVERNOR AT THE SHOW

Taranaki Daily News, 14 June 1930, Page 11

GOVERNOR AT THE SHOW

IMPRESSED WITH DISPLAY DEVELOPING HOME PRODUCTS. ADVICE ON FARMING MATTERS. His practical interest in the primary industries of the Dominion was once again -shown- by the Governor-General yesterday afternoon when, with Lady Bledisloe, he spent over an-, hour at the New Plymouth winter show as the guest of the Taranaki Agricultural Society. Their Excellencies, who had previously been entertained by the society at afternoon- tea- at the Chequers, were met at the door of the Coronation Hall by Mr. H. C. Sampson, chairman, and members of the general committee. Her Excellency was- presented with a bouquet by Corinne Okey before the party made its way to Jhe hall, where the official welcome was 'to be tendered. . In welcoming Their Excellencies on behalf of the society MnJSampson said he felt sure that Lord Bledisloe took a very great interest in the agriculture of New Zealand, a fact that would no doubt be a great asset to New Zealand farmers. He hoped- Lord and Lady Bledisloe would carry away nothing but the most pleasant recollections of Taranaki and" that when the Governor-Gen-eral returned to Britain the knowledge of New Zealand farming conditions gained by him would result in great benefits to -the Dominion. During his stay in New Zealand the farmers hoped to receive from Him very valuable advice on agricultural- questions generally. Lord Bledisloe said he desired to congratulate,the organisers of the show and' the society, upon holding its twentyfirst: birthday party, amid such, pleasant surroundings. ; He wished the society many happy returns of the day. He urged the people to develop their hotiie industries. - Those who did not actually take part in them should foster them with their patronage. Otherwise these industries could not be expected >to develop. While he and Lady Bled.isloe were in the Dominion they would do their . best to encourage the local enterprises. If, however, New Zealanders found they could not get what they wanted among local products then they should take their requirements from Britain, the country they called Home, from which they were sprung, the country that was the best customer for New Zealand’s produce. Speaking particularly of farming questions, His Excellency said that as long as he remained the nominal head of the Administration he was not going to deceive them. He was a' farmer, as ■they were farmers, and from his knowledge he might be able to help them. He hoped he would be able to join with them in promoting agricultural prosper-, ity. It was possible there would be occasions when he and they would not agree on certain questions, but if so he hoped they would agree to differ. During his stay , in New Zealand he hoped to’ learn a great deal about local farming ■ problems and he would use that knowledge to help with advice;,.' Ho .pointed out that unless, the great primary industry prospered 'the rest of tho community could not. He hoped-that the prices for their products would rise —and- the indications were that they would —but in the meantime it was to be hoped lower prices would be compensated by increased production. He understood farmers in Taranaki were fortunate enough to have achieved that* Referring to his address at the civi-s reception the previous .evening His Excellency said tlie report that morning had not quite conveyed the meaning he had intended when quoting two things he thought it important to be borne in mind, not only by cheesemakers, but by all primary producers in New Zealand. He therefore -repeated them. The first was that New Zealand producers could only hold the British market if their products were of high quality and uniform both in quality and description. The second was that serious defects in one consignment or sample coming from any -one factory or district were calculated to mar the reputation of all commodities of the same description coming from any part of the Dominion. British housewives did not’discriminate between Taranaki, Canterbury and Hamilton. All -were alike to them and carried New Zealand’s reputation with them.

Lord’ Bledisloe said that as one who was a member of the Empire Marketing Board and one who knew what the British public wanted he would advise them always to • remember that they were in danger of being judged by th© worst standard and not by the best, or even the average. He strongly urged the advantages of co-operation. Ho concluded by wishing every prosperity to the farmers of the district, and parti® cularly those of them responsible for the organisation of the show. His Excellency was cheered very heartily before he commenced a tour of the farming exhibits. Ho was particularly interested in the butter and cheese as in England he had acted as judge of those products and had owned a cheese factory of his own.

. Lord Bledisloe conversed with Mr# W. Ambury, Auckland, who was presi* dent of the Winter ‘Show 21 years ago* Mr. Ambury came from the same part of England as Lord Bledisloe. They had much in common to dias cuss.