STIMULUS TO PRODUCTION

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21259, 1 November 1940, Page 6

STIMULUS TO PRODUCTION

In spite of the war, or perhaps to some extent because of it, the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association has assembled an outstanding exhibition of livestock for its annual show. The value of the ’competition and the striving for excellence were never more evident than now, when the products of the farms are playing a very important part in the maintenance of the stability of the Empire, feeding its soldiers and sustaining the people of Britain while they manufacture the weapons of war and guard the heart of the Empire. Greater and still greater production has been called for, and the agricultural shows provide a very useful stimulus. When they attend this year’s show the people will have the satisfaction of knowing that never has New Zealand produced more abundantly than at present. An exceptionally favourable season has not been the only cause of the mounting output. The farmers of the Dominion have answered the call with a will, and if the climate is reasonably kind for the remainder of the season, records are certain to be established in many classes of products. What that means for the people in the towns and in the country, and even in Britain, needs no emphasis. The activities of the association, particularly in connection with the annual show, are largely responsible for the building up of the industries that have made so gratifying a result possible. The show offers the finest opportunity in the whole round of the year’s events 'for town and country to get together for their mutual benefit. If the value of that unity of effort were fully realised the large crowds at the showgrounds would'be swelled to even greater proportions. In these years of war effort the interdependence of the two sections of the community is more marked than ever. There is .still room for development in that direction. The townspeople will be doing a service to their country as well as to themselves if they give the greatest possible encouragement to the show association and to the farmers generally. The towns of the Waikato are extraordinarily fortunate that they are surrounded by one of the finest areas of farm lands in the Dominion—perhaps in the world. The possibilities of development are unlimited, and co-operative effort will serve the interests of the whole provincial community.