35 



and persuasive eloquence of Mr. H. N. Ridley. Prior to 1904, 

 Agricultural Shows were held in the Colony in a sort of 

 casual way, one in Malacca and one in the F.M.S. In 1902 

 Mr. Charles Curtis, Superintendent of Gardens and Forests in 

 Penang, made a suggestion to Government that a system of what 

 might be termed the holding of Federal Agricultural Shows be 

 adopted, one to take place in one part of the Federated Malay 

 States and another in some part of the Settlement. That scheme 

 was adopted by the Government, and in 1904 a Show was held at 

 Kuala Lumpur and one in Penang in 1905. It came about that the 

 purpose for which the} 7 had met that day was one in which they 

 were associated with the Government of the Straits Settlements 

 and Federated Malay States. It was hardly necessary to point 

 out the advantages of having such a Show in the Colony. 



The show is not promoted as an entertainment for the 

 passing hour. It is promoted with a practical object, the founda- 

 tion of which is education, having as its object the stimulating 

 and promoting of production and industries. Some of the 

 advantages and benefits that unquestionably grow out of Agricul- 

 ture Shows are for instance : — 



The opportunity that it gives proJucers of comparing 

 products. 



The encouragement of comparatively new products. 



Bringing planters and traders into communication. 



Giving planters new ideas and higher incentive and 

 shows them what standards should be aimed at. 



Shows people what can be grown on and got from the 

 Malay Peninsula. 



The opportunity of agriculturists to come into relation- 

 ship with manufacturers. 



Applying perhaps more particularly to the Federated 

 Mala} 7 States, it is a means of knowledge to the traveller 

 and others what can be done and produced in the Federated 

 Malay States and the Colony. 



Introduction of Native Industries to our population and 

 the community. 



Improvement of Stock. 



Circulation of currency, and is always productive of 

 some improved trade. * 



I will now briefly outline the proposed arrangements of the 

 Show, the Patrons will be the same as hitherto, including H. E. 

 The Governor and the Sultans of the Native States. 



The Vice-Presidents would be the Resident Councillors of 

 the Colony and British Residents of the Native States who will 

 authorize local arrangements. 



