A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 1133, 14 March 1910, Page 4

A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

THE ANNUAL' MEETING. MR LANCASTER'S ADDRESS. i'HE COHEN MOTION LOST BY A FEW VOTES. The animal meeting of members of he Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association was held at noon in Saturday. Mr S. R. Lancaster, the retiring President,, presided over :i very fair attendance- of members. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS, in moving the adoption of the annual report (already published). Mr Lancaster said that foremost amongst the subjects in hrs mind was the finmices of the Association, which showed the overdraft to-day is £2208 more than that of 1903, while £6850 has been .spent in land and buildings. In addition, we have a Show plant account £470 more than in 1903, dieclosing that we have bettered our position by nearly £5000 in seven years. During the past three yeaxs we have not made the usual progress financially, as the overdraft is £74 more; but wo have spent £431 in improvements. It must be mentioned there is a burden of interest and rates on the purchased land of about £150 j>er annum. Economies, 60 far as I can see, have been reduced to a minimum in the management and Show expenses; in fact, Show expenses show a lower average when compared with other institutions in the Dominion. One thing impresses mo to make progress. The membership must be made popular, and an endeavour made to get back to the old figures, ■when £1450 was received for members' subscriptions. It is a question whether the land should be retained. The trend in agricultural development does not seem to point out bigger displays of stock, but bettor stock and keener competition in the quality. There is 'one thing in connection with our Spring Show that is frequently lost sight of—the amount of prize money paid out to the exhibitors. This Association pays out the large amount of about £1400 annually, most ungrudgingly. Breeders receive more consideration in this than anywhere eke, and they recognise this, especially Mr E. Short, with his lavish gifts. Having seen most of the Agricultural Shows in the Dominion, and some of the Australian ones, I am satisfied that, combined with our livestock show, the divisions for the Manawatu Kennel Club, technical and public schools, and home needlecraft, we have an Agricultural Show and Exhibtiion of exceptional completeness, and unexcelled in this Dominion for attractiveness. The National Dairy Show is another worthy feature of this Association's projects. It is a most attractive exhibition in every way. Special mention was also made of the School Gardens and Mr Grant's work in connection therewith, and the President concluded with a complimentary reference to the Association's staff. THE REPORT ADOPTED. Mr J. M. Johnston, in seconding the report, said he could not agree with some of the remarks about fche land at the back of the A. and P. grounds. He thought the land was a good investment. What was troubling the Association was that it was not adjoining the grounds. Financially the Association was absolutely sound, and the cash position was £.1.00 better than last year. Mr Cohen said the President was the first of his line to consider the prize money should be lessened, and also to suggest other means of retrogression from the premier position held by the Show. Rather, Mr Cohen thought, the Association should cater more for the people. He was not satisfied that the Show had reached perfection. The report was adopted. MR COHEN'S MOTION. The following mottion was then moved by Mr M. Cohen: "That it be a recommendation to the General Committee to amend Rule 3, Clause D : Rule D: That any member whose subscription for the "current year is unpaid shall not be allowed to vote at an annual or other general meeting, nor to nominate members for Committee; neither shall he be eligible, for election to the Committee, nor as an officer of the Association, by striking out the word current and inserting preceding." He stated chat it had been brought before the General Committee, and they had In their wisdom thrown it out. He was sorry to see so small" a meeting present. It might bo said that the members were satisfied, and therefore did not turn up, bitfc the speaker did not consider it arose from that source, but from apathy, because they had no real interest in the Association. That element of apathy would have to bo removed. Mr Cohen pointed out that it was an injustice to keep a man away because he had not paid his subscription not for the current year, but for the ensuing year; he, was barred from taking part in the proceedings. A motion by Mr G-. C. "Wheeler, that, owing to the lack of support, the Association should revert to a two-day Show, was referred to the General Committee. A special vote of thanks was accorded Mr E. Short for his valuable £100 prize donation at the annual meeting of the A. and P. Association on Saturday. Mr J. M. Johnston, in moving the. motion, said Mr Short had set a good example, which he trusted would be followed by other leading pastoralists in the district. Mr T. R. Hodder seconded the motion. Mr Short pointed out that 18$ per cent, of the 1100 members ran" the Society; and he wanted to see something done to alter the present state of affaire. Mr Conway said Mr Cohen's eloquence stood alone against the experience, not only of this Society, but of all the loading societies in New Zealand. Mr W. J. Birch said Mr Cohen had raised a lot of dust to cover a small matter. The speaker was against the motion, which he considered woulc have no perceptible effect on the prosperity of the Association. Mr Birch cited the case of shareholders of a company who had sold out and yet demanded a vote at the meetings. That was the position of those demanding a vote under Mr Cohen's proposal. A man who grudged his subscription and wanted a vote could not have had very much interest in the Association. ■Mr Jounneanx was in favour of the motion. No ono -wanted to pay for goods three months before they were received. Mr IT. Booth said if he remembered rightly the motion was introduced to prevent people getting tickets be- j fore they had paid their subscriptions. Mr Johnston said that was quite correct. Mr Jacob always enjoyed Mr Cohen's eloquence, but ho was not at all convinced by the arguments. Messrs Joumieaux, F. J. Nathan, and P. A. McHardy supported the niotion, which was lost by 19 votes to 15. Mr Cohen gave notice to move that the next annual meeting be held juet before the Winter Show. MR LEVETT TAKES THE CHAIR. The following officers were elected: President, Mr 0. A. J. Levett; VicePresidents, Messrs D. 'Buick, M.P., A. Conway, T. R. Hodder, and J. G. Harkness; Treasurer, Mr J. M. Johnston; Committee, -Messrs S. R. Lancaster, W. J. Birch. C Dunk, F. S .Mcßae, H. J. Booth, F; V.. Lethbridge, S. Standen, W. McKenzie, F. L. Jackson, F. Robinson, G. McKelvie T. R. Willis; Auditors, Messrs Rutherfurd and Conuell. Mr Leyett then took the chair and briefly returned thanks to €he members for electing him to the position. A hearty. vote of thanks was accorded to Mr-.-Aid-worth and Mr A. E. Russell, who are visiting Europe, for their duties on the committee. Votes of thanks were accorded the Tβ- t tiring President, the hon. treasurer .(Mr J. M. Johnston), the secretary (Mr J. O. Lane), and staff, and the press. -