FEILDING SHOW

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19504, 4 February 1926, Page 2

FEILDING SHOW

CONCLUDING DAY MINISTER OF LANDS A VISITOR. People’s Day at the Feilding Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s twenty-third annual show on the racecourse, at Feilding yesterday brought the fixture to a satisfactory conclusion. An overcast sky, with intermittent show’ers during the morning, did not dampen enthusiasm, and fortunately sunshine favoured the gathering for the greater part of the afternoon. The side-shows and circuses, and merry-go-round received liberal patronage throughout the day. Much interest was aroused by the general parade of all stock, which was the largest for many years, and throughout the afternoon exceptional enthusiasm was maintained in the field events. Owing to the heavy nature of the course the polo match between Parewanui and Feilding had to be abandoned, likewise a motor parade. Mr McLeod Entertained. The show was favoured with the presence of the Minister of Lands, the Hon. A. D. McLeod, who was accorded a hearty welcome by the president, Mr E. E. Short, and stewards in the luncheon room. Messrs Gordon Eliott, M.P. for Oroua, and J. Linklater, M.P. for Manawatu, were also present. In proposing the toast of “Parliament” Mr J. S. Tingey, vice-president of the Feilding A. and P. Association, said he was pleased to welcome Mr McLeod to the show. It was gratifying to note the strengthened position of Parliament to-day when compared with the last one. The Government now had a strong majority and could get on with the works which needed immediate attention. It was also gratifying to note that at the head of the Government was a young and vigorous New Zealander, who would do all he could for the advancement and betterment of this Dominion. With the experience at his back Mr Coates would be one of the best Prime Ministers that New Zealand had had and a worthy successor to the late Mr Massey. They had with them another born and bred New Zealander in the person of Mr McLeod, a man of wide experience on the land. At present the Minister was on a tour of the North Island in connection with the deterioration of land question. He was making a personal investigation of the poor lands of the North in order to see what measures could be taken to remedy this defect. The toast was honoured with enthusiasm.

On rising to reply Mr McLeod was received with applause. At the outset he said he was glad to pay Feilding another visit. He wished to thank the president of the Association for his invitation to the function. The Parliament and the people of New Zealand had difficult times ahead. Now-a-days it was the custom in democratic countries to judge the Government by the times, and not by what it had done. It behoved Parliament as well as individuals to see that economy was practised in this country, as a great deal of New Zealand’s future prosperity would, depend upon the study of economy.

Touching upon the question of deteriorated land, the Minister said that the middle north was by no means the only part of the North Island that was affected by deterioration. In other parts land had gone back, but not to such an extent as it had done in the middle north. This problem was causing a great deal of anxiety both to the Government and the people who were suffering. Countries like the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand had gone in for a protectionist policy. They had built up industries in the cities, and these industries were paying wages which the farmer could never hope to pay. What chance had the farmer of paying such high wages? No chance at all. He was not in favour of low wages, but the cost of labour to-day made it prohibitive for the farmer to tackle deteriorated land. However, they had a young and progressive Prime Minister at the head of a strong Government, and the people could rest assured they would do their utmost for the betterment of the country. THE PRIZE LIST. Results of the judging in the various classes yesterday arc as follows: HORSES. Competitions. Open Pony Jumping.—A. J. Osborne’s Robin 1, Norman P. Walsh’s Starlight 2, H. M. Blunden’s De Wet 3. Ten entries. Lady Hunters.—W. Hobson’s Daylight 1, Stan Symes’ Osprey 2, Miss M. J. Stewart’s Gentleman Jack 3. Fourteen entries. Hunters.—Mrs W. B. Vallance’s Muritai 1, W. Hobson’s Black Knight 2, F. Laird’s Hailstorm 3. Twentyfour entries. Saddle Horses. 15st. Hack, mare or gelding.—Stan Symes’ Osprey 1, Mrs W. B. Vallance’s Muritai 2, Miss M. J. Stewart’s Gentleman Jack 3. Four entries. I3st. Hack, mare or gelding.—W. Hobson’s Formhead I, Miss M. J. Stewart’s Gentleman Jack 2, Miss Grace Twist’s Kovno 3. Five entries. list. Hack, mare or gelding.—Miss Grace Twist’s Chum 1, P. Wingo’s Pathfinder 2. Seven entries. Troop Horse, marc or gelding, up to 15st.—Mrs W. B. Vallance’s Muritai 1, N. Northcott’s White Wings 2, F. Hoult’s Civility 3. Lady’s Hack.—W. Hobson’s Formhead 1, and Champion. Miss Grace Twist’s Chum 2, P. Wingo’s Pathfinder 3. Seven entries. Draught Horses. Heavy gelding or mare, in dray or spring cart.—Feilding Borough Council 1 and 2. Only entries. Light gelding or mare, in spring cart, up to 1 ton—W. H. Booth’s Nuggett 1, Feilding Sash and Door Co’s. Nuggett 2. Three entries. Pair plough horses, mares or geldings.—Jas. McCool’s Pride and Betty 1. Only entry. . Spring carter, up to 1 ton. —W. H. Booth’s Nuggett. Two entries.