The Waikato Independent TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1930. WAIKATO CENTRAL SHOW.

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2306, 4 March 1930, Page 4

The Waikato Independent TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1930. WAIKATO CENTRAL SHOW.

To-morrow will mark another milestone in the history of the Waikato Central Agricultural Association, for it is tho opening day of the association’s twenty-seventh annual show. At the time of writing the prospects of the show are most encouraging, and point to this year’s fixture being one of the most successful in the long years of the association’s existence. In these days of hustle and bustle and, with their innumerable attractions, the general public do not appear to view agricultural and pastoral exhibitions in the same light of interest as was the case with the earlier settlers. This is to be regretted, for such fixtures are of even greater importance to-day to everyone —especially in .an essentially primaryproducing district as Cambridge —than they were in years gone by. Combining as it docs all the important phases of primary industry the’annual show may rightly be characterised as the district's barometer of progress. We are, of course, proud to hear, almost from day to day, comments of visitors on the wonderful progress of agriculture and primary production in this Dominion. When we hear such compliments we have to remember that to keep apace with all the changing conditions, and of commercial life especially, agricultural progress has been rendered a necessity. Appreciating this, we must give credit to the annual show for the encouragement it has faithfully extended from year to year. To-day, more than ever, the fanner has to move with the times. The days when the “fool of the family” was put on the land have gone by. To-day the farmer must know his business. The price that he has to pay for his land is comparatively high; his farming operations have increased in cost, and, in consequence, to make ends meet and to put a little away for a rainy day, he has to farm his land along sound, business-like lines. In short, he has got to farm systematically and economically. This being so, then the farmer to-day has got to be continually educating himself and there is no gainsaying the fact that as an educator agricultural and pastoral exhibitions are of more than ordinary value. It is the medium through which the farmer is encouraged to breed better cattle, to improve his dairy herds, the cultivation of his land and all things that it produces. The annual show in this district provides an excellent opportunity for the display of all the latest in agricultural and other machinery. So much for the practical side of farming; but there are other beneficial results provided by the annual show. It has a great social value inasmuch that it provides tho opportunity for the district farmers to rub shoulders with one another, and so with a comparison of notes rendered possible by such association, the individual and the whole district benefits. The annual fixture also enables the farmer and the townsman to get together and encourages a better understanding and appreciation of each other. Having thus briefly outlined the value and the objectives of an agricultural show, we can say with confidence that the local fixture has served its purpose well in years gone by, and we believe that it will continue to do so this week and in the future, so long as it is supported by country and town alike to the extent it deserves. Elsewhere in this issue a review of the record entries is published and an indication provided tho public of what this year’s show will offer to patrons. It now only remains for the association to be favoured with fine weather and for the district public to extend its heartiest support to encourage a magnificent show of which the district may well be proud. j