GRETEST DAIRY SHOW.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18030, 27 May 1930, Page 9

GRETEST DAIRY SHOW.

•MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY OF DISTRICT AND DOMINION PRODUCE

PRODUCTS OF FIELD AND HOME .. GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S SOUND ADVICE.

THE ENTRIES.

following is a. comparison of this year’s entries with those of last year:— 1929 1930 Agriculture ......... 27G 398 Horticulture 382 430 Needlework • 621 705 Photography and Art .. 347 372 HQrtie industries .... 1099 1243 f Dairy, 982 1028 Totals 3707 4176 An increase of 469.

With the opening of the 1930 show ©f the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association there is furnished the opportunity for the world to see what South Auckland can produce. For nearly quarter of a century the asso.ciation has been talking shop, and not without result. • It has advertised this part of the Island as perhaps no other district has been advertised and like, all-good. advertising, it has brought its reward. It has people the land- and brought wealth and prosperity •in its .train. It Ms ■ no, exaggeration to say that; but for its Winter Show, Waikato wriiild not now ' be the much ..talked of and favourably, known place it is. 4 The history of the show has beeriwritten many times and to repeat it were merely to surfeit the public mind with a knowledge it already,possesses, and weary it with redundancy. There is this to be said, however, that from less tharf a. dozen dairy, factoryentries at the firsL-sbow'twentv- tliree years ago, the association now claims to have’the greatest, dairy exhibition in the world to-day.

Empire's Dairy Farm. This boast is no idle one. It is lorne out by figures which cannot be disputed. At no other dairy exhibition in the universe, so far as statistics show, are. there so many individual entries of factory dairy produce. Waikato of course, is almost entirely dependent for its prosperity on its dairy industry.... A. land of wonderful pastures, dotted \yith modern,factories, its farmers are probably' as advanced in their knowledge and * methods .of ‘.dairying as any in. the, world. Visitors -from other dairying countries describe our orgatiisation on the manufacturing side of;the industry as well nigh perfect, although doubtless, much Yet remains tri be done on the marketing side. South Auckland now. exports more than half the total butter output of the "Dominion and about 12 . per cbnt. of the Dominion’s total output of cheese. . In addition to these products, it also sends away vast quantities of dried milk, milk powder, casein ■ and condensed milk. So that when South Auckland is described as the Empire’s dairy farm, the title is not misplaced. . , In the building up of this great industry—the annual turnover of one company alone -with- he f ad-quarters at llamiiton is over five and a half million sterling-—the Waikato Winter Show Association has played no small part. Realising the importance of the indus-. try and the possibilities of the district, the association set to, work to encourage in every, way. better and higher production. It created a rivalry amongst dairymen themselves Jjy its series of competitions,japd we extent of the interest now Jakeffifiri the show may be gathered entries published ahcytewhiijhjltotril-rio less than 1028. Oyjerohe number has steadily %ro\yn -until-the long cherished' desire of the Secretary (Mr W- H. tffe’ ; one: thousand mark . has’ at last Jbeen thieved.' y: -

Improvement of Quality.

The main purpose of the Show Association, however, in building up its dairy section, Mfjnot been the mere desire to numerical display, but to encourage the improvement of quality. That it has suc- ' seeded in this is demonstrated yearly by the high grading returns, especially ••.for butter.. This applies not only to the pyize .winning boxes, but to the general - quality of the exhibits. It may-therefore be said with truth that . the Waikato Winter Show has exer- '■ cised an important influence in raising the quality of dairy produce throughout the whole Dominion, for its entries are drawn from all parts of New Zealand. There is, in fact, hardly a factory of ;any importance, that Is not represented in the dairy division at the Show, and'the fact that competition is so keen has made the championship awards at the Waikato Show the most coveted trophies in the dairy world to-day. To have one’s names inscribed on the championship banner (which, by the vay,. has'now been substituted by a handsome shield) .is to be at the top of the dfttfy profession. With thC' growing competition on the world’piriarkets, the importance of maintaining,/, quality at its highest level beqojrrpA more pronounced yearly. Tff&VArgentine and Siberia are now sending large quantities of dairy produce to London, and while this doubtless will go into consumption, it will, owing to its inferior quality, never command a high price. “The ."-best,” on the other hand, will always And a ready. sale, - but with this difference, that it will earn that premium which will make all the difference be'tween a struggle and comfortable: living to the dairyman, v It will readily be seen, therefore, that the little extra care- necessary to produce a high grade article, is. well worth while. That the'Waikato Win-. Her Show Association' is encouraging the dairyman to do 'this no one will deny. Next to the dairy, section in the matter of importance if not in the actual number of exhibits, is that for agricultural products. Th'e actual

exhibits total nearly 400 and furnish an excellent idea of what the soil of Waikato can produce, apart from glass, The season which started so well for garden .and field produce, was really too dry towards the end to ensure the production of big roots, although the specimens to be seen on the stands in the agricultural hall hardly subscribe to this statement. There are such tremendous specimens of mangels, swedes and turnips, in fact, as to be almost a direct contradiction of this assertion. What can be said is, however, that big as the roots are, they would probably have been larger still, under normal seasonal conditions. The hall where the agricultural exhibits are staged is a most impressive sight and will astonish many visitors.

This - year Mr J. R. Fow holds the dual high offices of Mayor of the Borough and President.■■ ( pf < ,the i i .\yinj,er i Show. • He fills both with' distinction: Mr Fow is a native of. Louth, Lincolnshire, although he has been in New Zealand for 56 years. His Worship has, in this period, had a wide and somewhat varied career. For some years he lived at Waimate in the 'South Island, but Waikato - can claim him amongst its'earlier settlers,, anil virtually he is a native of this district. After leaving- school he was successively a sawmiller, a farrier arid blacksmith, a carriage maker, and finally an auctioneer. His first association with municipal government was in 1907, when he was elected a councillor of the Borough-,-being returned at the top of the poll. Except for one year, he has sat continuously on the council ever since. In 1916 he was elected Mayor, and has been the town’s chief magistrate ever since, but for one year when the Boroughs of Hamilton -and Frankton amalgamated, and for one year, after the great epidemic, when he rested from office. Under his guardianship the town has made wonderful progress, and it is doubtful if any provincial town in New Zealand possesses the amenities in the way of good streets, drainage, sewerage, lighting and scenic beauties that Hamilton has. Mr Fow has himself in the Winter Show from its inception, and when his name was suggested for the presidentship this year, there was none who would opprise him. He is to be congratulated upon his trust.

There are more entries in the horticultural section- than ever before, the increase numbering about 50. This is a very gratifying sign, as it indicates a consolidation of settlement when the settlers take sufficient pride in their gardens to send their produce to the Show, in almost every class the quality is good, and is cause for congratulation. As usual, the home industries court is the largest for number of entries, in the Show. And what entries. One does not require to be hungry when visiting this court or the temptation to help oneself might prove too strong. Almost every . article of domestic cookery is represented from loaves of bread and plum puddings to the lightest of puff pastry and sweetmeats. Around the walls are specimens .of the handiwork ofthe'“children of hundreds of schools—writing, drawing, pMstic and other work.

These are gratifying to look upon, as they reflect a keen sense of friendly rivalry that it is well to encourage. Probably at no other show In New Zealand is juvenile enthusiasm in school work so encouraged as b> the Waikato Winter Show Association. Much of the work is really excellent and the exhibitors and their teachers should feel proud of it. The walls and the shelves around the needlework section are draped with articles which are the embodiment of patience, skill and industry. The exhibition is very comprehensive in its range and includes numerous kinds of plain and fancy work from the modest herring-bone stich to the most delicate embroidery. Ladies visitors will ponder long amongst the exhibits of this court, where there is much to learn and much to admire. One department of the Show which the association has developed considerably during the past two or three years is that for art and photography: It is a section well worth while and one that has created considerable interest, as may be gathered from the fact that there are over 400 entries. Naturally in sb( h a section the work is very varied both in nature and quality-and while.there is much that is very superior, there is also a considerable amount that is indifferent. But the general standard has improved, and if this effect alone has been achieved the encouragement given by the association to this class of work has been well worth while. » - -

The arrangements at the Show continue to be improved yearly. ,A careful observation is made by the secretary and members of the committee each year with a, view to ascertaining in what direction the arrangements may be' bettered.- The result is that so far as its funds will permit everything has been done that can be. The halls are .all well lighted and airy, the aisles wide, and every facility is afforded exhibitors and stall holders to display their wares. Unfortunately, however, the association has not nearly sufficient space to accommodate all who desire to obtain a place at the Show, and the secretary this year again reluctantly has had to refuse many applications. This is really turning away good money and curtailing expansion. The time must come and come soon, wh<pn the association must undertake a comprehensive building programme, possibly to substitute the present' horse bazaar with a permanent two-storied building. Removal of the Show to the Claudelands Showgrounds has been suggested on several occasions, but this idea has now been permanently discarded as impracticable as it is considered that such a move would have an irrecoverable effect on the revenue. The actual layout of this year’s show, although improved in de-tail,-has- not been materially altered and visitors should experience no difficulty in finding their way about the different- courts. This year a special platform has been erected above the home industries section in the large motor hall, as a rest room. This will be furnished with seating accommodation and wifi be a very welcome retreat for persons whose limbs grow weary with tramping around the stalls. As hitherto there is a postal office in the building, where stamps may be purchased and letters and telegrams despatched. The Plunket Society lias also a roo m to which tired mothers may repair with their infants. Here facilities are provided for heating water and milk. A cloak room at the main entrance will also, for a small consideration, be responsible for clothing or parcels deposited there.

OFFICIALLY OPENED

A HISTORY OF PROGRESS. THEIR EXCELLENCIES WELCOMED EXPRESSIONS >OP LOYALTY. The Show was opened to-day in sliowery His Excellency the Governor-General,- who was accompanied by Lady Bledisloe. There was a tremendous crow T d in the main hall toi witness the ceremony, which was

preceded by the singing of the Welsh National Anthem by the Exhibition Choir. This was in honour of Her Ladyship, who is herself Welsh,;. The Exhibition Choir sang the “ National Anthem,” " New Zealand," composed by the conductor, .Mr T. S. Webster, and the “ Great Exhibition Ode.”

In extending to their Excellencies a very sincere welcome on b.ehalf of the town, district and Show Association, His Worship the Mayor, Mr J. R. Fow, said the great throng present that day testified to the pleasure the district experienced in the visit of their Excellencies, and spoke of the loyalty of the people here to all, that was great and good in our Mother-

Among the visitors -were Messrs J. A. Young, M.P. for Hamilton; W. Lee Martin, M.P. for Raglan; W. M. Broadfoot, M.P. for Waitomo; W. M. Wallnutt, Mayor of Waihi; G. G. Downes, Mayor -of Te Aw'amutu; L. A. Paish, British Trade Commissioner; G. M. Croft, Canadia'n Trade Commissioner; and 11. L. E. Priestman, Assistant Canadian Trade Commissioner.

'land. (Applause). A loyalty -which was as deep and abiding in this outpost of the Empire as in the very heart of the Homeland. “Coming as you do from a land rich in the attainments of a thousand years, a country with a wonderful record of progress of research, of exploration and commercial enterprise, a land .whose statesmen and virile sons

have evidenced a positive genius for colonising newly discovered lands, it may not be deemed inappropriate if 1 refer briefly to the short, though romantic history of Maoriland, and especially the Waikato,’ ’continued Mr Fow, “After having traversed so much of the Dominion/ with its fertile valleys, its rural prosperity, its thriving posts and cities, it is diilicult to realise that 120 years ago this land was occupied only by the Maoris, a valorous and withal a most chivalrous race, who now walk side by side with us in recognised equality. Each province was initiated under different colonising schemes and still retain many of their original characteristics, but all have this in common—that they, the promotors and pioneers, brought with them the high ideals and traditions of the home country; and possibly have felt already the influence of kinship, and have marked, the expression of loyalty which neither time nor distance can impair.” “The Waikato was primarily,” added His Worship, “a military outpost. Sixty-six years ago, this centre was the scene of stirring events, when the 4th Waikatos disembarked' from the little armoured' gun boats and barges and established an outpost to protect the settlers and to keep, the /rebellious elements among tiie natives in check. Those of the old pioneers who \ t still remain with us can'recall and recount many enthralling episodes of camp life in those days.” ■ “Many exciting, memories centre round the old landing place, now Memorial Park, and each side of the noble Waikato River, was the scene of heroic effort. And here, where GG years ago there was but a military encampment- and practically no cultivation, there is now grouped, a closely settled area of prosperous farm lands. A wonderfully organised cooperative system dairying. A chain of factories, replete with- the latest equipment and an army of experts, striving continually to increase the quantity and to improve the quality of their outputs.”’, (Applause). This is a -transformation indeed, and this v;>t Show, with its record entries of over 1000 in butter and cheese alone, is. a notable, achievement and speaks of a progress—more than tinged with romance. For -some years after the founding of Hamilton, the settlers went through most-trying times, and suffered many ’ hardships. They went; through a period that tested their-endurance, to the .full, but they kept on -their way undaunted until they caught ‘dame fortunes golden smile,” and the Waikato, with, its abundant rainfall and proportion of sunshine, came into its own and then, after 40 years settlement, the Waikato Winter Show was established and, Your Excellencies, we regard it as an outstanding illustration of what can be done by the harmonious combinaiion of town and country.” ('Cheers). ‘This is,” proceeded Mr Fow, -.a community institution, and whilst its most ardent supporters and most prominent officers are drawn from both sources, we are proud beyond measure that the farmer predominates and invariably did most of the voluntary labour that was so essential in the early years of the Show. Every year has shown advancement and we trust that you will appreciate this fact—that within the brief span of 06 years, we have increased as a community from camp life to this proud position, that we claim to stage the best and the most comprehensive show in IJie Dominion.” (Applause). “We feel honoured that you have been able to attend and officially open the 1930 season. We feel that it is most fitting that Your Excellency, with your profound knowledge of all that pertains to' agriculture, should thus early, get in touch with the primary producers of this area. We feel sure that, you will find much to interest you in the various sections on display, I voice the thoughts of this great assemblage,” concluded His Worship, “when I extend to Your Excellencies a most hearty welcome and wish you, on their behalf, a happy and successful .sojourn in this fair land, the Britain of the South.” (Applause). A TRIBUTE OF LOYALTY. Mr J. A. Young, M.P. for Hamilton, in speaking for the Hamilton electorate, which, he said, was representative of the rural and urban interests of the southern part of the -province, extended to His Excellency the Gov-ernor-General and his charming lady, a most cordial welcome to the district. They were greatly .honoured in having Their Excellencies amongst them so early in their commission. Indeed, they were privileged in tne opportunity to express their loyalty to the Crown, and assured -His Excellency that while they may, and did, have differences of opinion amongst lliem-

selves on questions of national and domestic concern, they were, as a people, absolutely one in their loyal and devoted adherenct to the British Constitution, and their constitutional Monarchy, as typified in the person of His Majesty the King as its head. They made Lord Bledisloe trebly welcome, not only oil account of his official position as Governor-General, but because he was a great Englishman, who had rendered signal service during the war, and a great agriculturist, who was especially experienced, and, indeed, skilled in grass-land farming and dairying in the United Kingdom. (Applause.) The Winter Exhibition was a monument to what the knowledge and industry of man could per-

While on the shoulders of the executive committee of the Show, • the responsibility for its success or failure is placed, yet really the responsibility is that of the secretary. Mr W. 11. Paul. Probably the best known show secretary in New Zealand. Mr Paul has made the Waikato, the best known show in the Dominion. He knows- belter how to attract entries than any other secretary in Australasia;' 1 - a fact proved by the constant records which he creates, lie does it in such a way that no district in the Dominion; is left unacquainted with the wonderful possibilities and advertising value of the Waikato Show. He penetrates to the most remote districts by a system of propaganda developed entirely by himself, and the result is as though he stood at the main gateway of the Dominion and yelled the Show’s - virtues through , a collossal megaphone. His system of circularising is unique, and through this he is able to tell his story in a most convincing manner. He is the show secretary par excellence, and Waikato Is fortunate in having him as the organiser of its Great Winter Exhibition.

feet by their application to the soil. It demonstrated the interdependence of town and country upon each other; it also compelled one to pay a tribute of praise to the president and those men and women, including the very able secretary (Mr Paul), who comprised the committee and executive forces of the Waikato Winter Shew Association, and who for months past had worked hard together, organising and carrying out the necessary thousand and one details which made for success. (Applause.) The public said Mr Young, had been o catered for in every department of interest, and it ' only needeu their active co-operation by attendance in large numbers to make the 1930 exhibition a greater success than the 23 preceding annual shows. (Applause.)

A THOUGHT FOR THE PIONEERSG /Mr Stewart Reid said he regarded it an honour to have been asked to speak as the representative of such worthy people as the early settlers of Waikato. He believed, he said, this was the first time since the show was inaugurated that the early settlers had been recognised in this particular way. He felt sure all would agree that we owed a deep debt of gralitude to these .grand old pioneers, who came to this land GO to 80 years ago, to make a home for themselves and their families. (Applause.) They were indeed grand specimens of the British.race; men and women of high principles, ful of courage and determination, knowing full well the great

Twenty-three years of progress is represented by the collection of products exhibited at the Waikato Winter Show, which was opened at Hamilton, to-day, by His Excellency, the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe —twenty-three years,of progress not merely for the Show Association, but for the district of South Auckland, whose shop window the Show claims to be. The progress of the two has been parallel and mutually aided, for while the Show has effectively canvassed the wares of the district the district has responded magnificently in return. And so while the Waikato Winter Show has become renowned throughout Australasia for the quality, variety and number of its exhibits, so has Waikato won a world-wide reputation for its d t d has iustlv earned the title of the Empire’s Dairy Farm: Lord Bledisloe, himself a farmer, will find much to interest him in the Show, and doubtless will be amazed at the evidences of the wonderful fertility of the soil of Waikato. He also cannot faiTto be impressed with the exhibition of dairy produce for it is any greater collection has ever been assembled—certainly not in Australasia, while the statistics of the world’s greater dairy exhibitions contain nothing to equal it anywhere. The 1930 Show crowns all past records in the matter of entries and it would seem that there is no limit to the possibilities in this direction while the district continues to progress and the Show to be efficiently managed. .

task they had undertaken. Having once put their hand to the plough, they never looked back. (Applause.) They were the people who did the early spade work for the development of this country, and by their courage, self-reliance, thrift and loyalty to each other, had set an /example to those who had come after them that would be well for all to follow. (Applause.)

1 “On behalf of these early settlers, j Your Excellencies, 1 wish to extend to you a very hearty welcome on this, 1 your first, visit to our show and district. Your visit has been looked forward to with very great pleasure. As early settlers we are proud to have you with us to-day, because we claim, !,and claim with very great pride, that | the early settlers hail from your own i land, and that we are your people/and we wish to assure you of our great loyalty to the British Empire. We feel sure that your visit and the advice that you may give will be of much benefit to this district, and /we hope that your visit may be a pleasant one to Your Excellencies. Ho doubt .during the short period Your Excellencies have been in the Dominion you will have noticed the great development that has taken place for so young a country. I wish to assure you that there is no part of the Dominion that has shown greater development or more increased production than the great areas surrounding this town. (Applause.) •We have one blot in our district, in Ihe /nailer of undeveloped swamp lands. However, with uj)-to-date drainage, we do Mt despair of getting these areas uniffer cultivation in the near future, and •when this Ms brought, about we will have a district that we may well be proud of.” Cogs In Great Machine. On behalf of the same settlers, Mr Reid congratulated the president and his loyal hand of workers upon their suocess in making the 1930 show greater than all past ones. The people of Waikato were proud of their show, and realised they were under a great obligation to men such as the president. The show had made wonderful progress, and to-day we were in the proud position of having the best show in the Dominion. (Applause.) The show was a great education and a great advertisement. The speaker urged that town and country, capital and labour, should work together in harmony for the country’s advancement. Primary pro-, duction was certainly the most important, because we had to depend on our exports from the land to pay our interest bills. For this reason the farmer deserved the utmost encouragement, as the prosperity of the cities depended upon the prosperity of the farmer. “However, we who are farmers should realise that without the people of the cities to consume what we produce, and to manufacture all we require to enable us to carry out our work, we would be just very helpless.” We were, added the speaker, as cogs in the great machine, and if any section of the community failed in its duty trouble would ensue- Unfortunately, we were passing through a lean year; prices for all farm products were down, and there was a great deal of unemployment. However, we had overcome greater difficulties in the past, and we would master them again. (Applause). “Let us,” he concluded, “endeavour to look on the bright side of things. The country has no greater enemy than the- pessimist who is continually complaining.”'

HIS EXCELLENCY’S SPEECH His Excellency, who was greeted with a tremendous round of applause, said he entered public life in England j many years ago with the convictions, first that the economic welfare of the I countryside lay at the root of all national prosperity, and secondly, that such welfare could not be secured without co-operation on the one hand and practical education on the other. From those convictions His Excellency had never budged, and he-was, he said, rejoiced to find himself presiding over the destinies of a country where enlightened public opinion fully endorsed both these propositions. “You have greeted me loyally as the King’s \prcsentative. You have hailed me fraternally as a brother farmer, and you have my warm thanks for your welcome in both capacities,” added Ilis Excellency. “In this Dominion I am bound to be scrupulously impartial, not only in political outloik, but also in regard to social, religious and industrial enterprise. But no more can I cease to be a farmer than an Ethiopian can change his skin, or a leopard his spos. (Laughter and applause). And with the convictions which I hold in relation to national welfare, I 'cannot believe that my predominantly agricultural experience and interests will prove to be inimical to the progress of a country which depends mainly, and always will depend mainly, on its agricultural products.” The speaker went on to say that the chief and most hopeful economic development in New Zealand was in the sphere of dairy enterprise, and nowhere was this development more marked than in' the Waikato area. Speaking as one who on more than one occasion had been president of the great London Dairy Show, Lord •Bledisloe said he was greatly impressed with the excellence of the dairy exhibits at this Waikato White-* Show and congratulated its promoters (apart from the attractive domestic exhibits) on having a record entry both of butter and cheese. He was particularly impressed by the stress which had been laid by Mr C. K. Wood, chief Government grader, upon the “uniformity of the quality” in the case of the butter because he was convinced that if the British market was to be continuously and increasingly supplied with New Zealand products ‘uniformity of quality” was l'ar more important than occasional excellence. Proceeding, His Excellency said the prices of wool, butter and cheese had. he was fully aware been exceedingly low in recent months, and had created (Continued on page 11.)