OPEN COLUMN.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 1, Issue 18, 23 January 1858, Page 3

OPEN COLUMN.

To the Editor of the Hawke's Bay Herald. Sir, — I am sorry to find that misapprehension exists in the minds of some of our fellow settlers, as to the objects of the Graziers' Meeting called for the 30th inst. ; and I shill feel ohliged if you would give me permission to use the columns of your journal for the purpose of setting the public mind right on the matter. In the first place, some people seem to think that there is a latent intention of entrapping the settlers into a political combination for some unknown and imaginary ohject ; then something has been said about mutual "protection," to which end members of the Society were to sign a bond declaring it burglary, treason, or any other hinging matter for any one to buy a freehold estate on another's run ; again, it is feared that the tendency of this movement may be to foster and increase a class feeling — symptoms of which I, in common with many others, have lately, much to. our regret, observed devoloping themselves in our small community. These are the principal objections, and to these I intend to confine my remarks in this letter ; though there are exceptions taken in minor points, such as the probable effect abroad of the appearance of internal disunion, the tendency to exalt and assist the pursuit of sheep breeding more than that of other stock ; and a host of others, which time and space would fail me to notice at present. Turn we then to the three main objections, which I have undertaken to examine, and, if possible, refute. And, first, with regard to the imaginary political intention, I can only say for myself, (and I am aware that I speak -the sentiments of others, both among those who have signed the advertisement, and who intend supporting the movement) that I absolutely deny any such intent. Should it at any time become necessary for the Graziers of Ahuriri to join in political movements, either for self protection against a common enemy or for any other reason,, it can easily be done ; but not -hy a Society such as that now contemplated, which is, in as far as I and many others are concerned, intended to be bond fide for improving the breed of stock generally, and of sheep in particular — for encouraging and assisting experiments in grass growing and agriculture — for assisting the importation of labour-saving machinery — and generally for the attainment of such objects as may be thought most to conduce to the advancement of the "paramount interest of the Province" — namely, the growth of wool. Such being the-ob-jects of the Society, it is obvious that politics must bs left to other associations. "Ne sutor ultra crepidam" is an old maxim,

and one which the Graziers of Ahuriri are neither ignorant nor unmindful of. And after all, one glance at the signatures to the advertisement ought to satisfy anyhody that politics must be inadmissible in an association composed of such (politically) incongruous materials, for I do believe that every possible shade of political opinion, (excepting of course Wellington Radical Reform), is represented in that short list of names. Now for the "mutual protection" phase. This, I think, can best be disposed of by the line of argument known to logicians as the "reductio ad abst(rdum." Suppose A and Bare licensed run holders bound to mutual protection (which if it means anything at all means bound not to buy land under any pretence on each other's runs) ; C (an outsider j steps in and buys up A's run, who suddenly finds himself deprived of feed for his. sheep, which he might easily obtain by expending some of his spare cash in securing part of Bs run, a step, however, which he is prevented from taking by having in an evil hour joined the "mutual protection society." His only resource, therefore, now is — either he must recede from the society, and come upon B as an outsider, or make some sort of perhaps not over safe partnership arrangement with him ; but whilst Mr. A is scratching his wig and trying to escape from the horns of his dilemma, in steps D and biws up Bs run; and,- C and D combining together magnanimously, offer A and B a shilling a head for their sheep, and £40 per annum each for their own services as shepherds. The sheep farmers are not quite such fools as to bo blind to the above inevitable consequences of subscribing to such an exploded doctrine as protection at this time of day. The third objection is not quite so easily disposed of, and in handling it I feel that lam touching on delicate ground. But a little calm reflection will show to a sensible mind that the difficulty is hot such ' a serious one after all. We must all deplore, though none can deny the existence in Ahuriri of the seeds of a feeling of jealousy of the sheep farmers, similar in kind, though far inferior in degree, to that which rages in Wellington. These seeds I am afraid have been nourished, and their growth fostered for political purposps by certain individuals, who I am quite sure had no intention of inflicting on the District the amount of mischief which appears likely, to ensue. I am quite convinced that they acted without sufficiently reflecting upon the great difficulty there is in stopping a class cry when once raised. We hear a good deal about diversity of interests between graziers and other classes of the community. Wherein, I would ask, does this diversity exist ? Is not wool growing the pursuit of Ahuriri ? Has not wool made it what it is, and will not wool make it whatever it may hereafter become ? Where is the difference in interest between the woolgrower and the merchant who ships his wool and supplies his necessaries, the agriculturist who feeds him, the publican who lodges him and his horse, the drayman, the lighterman, the tradesman of every description who supplies his various necessities ? Are not all interested in the prosperity of wool growing ; if wool falls do not all suffer, if wool rises do not all rejoice ? To sum up all, is not wool the great, and indeed one might almost say the only export of Napier ? Away then with such wicked cries and suicidal attempts to split up our small society into classes. Let us remember the old and oft quoted fable of the bundle of sticks, and never forget that while unanimous we are invulnerable and invincible; divided amongst ourselves we fall an easy prey to any designing politician who may wish to effect our ruin. Thus, then, we see that the sheepfarmer has no interest which is not common to all, and that he has no desire, as it would not be his policy, to stir up divisions of classes. What we want to do now is, to set a foo a society bond fide for the objects stated, all of which will tend to the improvement and advancement of the district at large ; and I confess I cannot divine why merchants, tradesmen, or any other portions of the community should take offence or imagine that anything is intended to do them an injury. Merchants have their Chambers of Commerce ; Tradesmen and Mechanics their Early closing movements, Mechanics'. Institutes ; and a host of other associations designed exclusively for members of certain classes and which members of other classas are not invited to join, because they are not interested therein. „And if the Graziers call a similarly select meeting, why not, and why should others take offence ? But

we don't intend a,ny "hole and corner affair ; n r e wish to exclude-nobody nor to hurt any. If any importer or retailer of goods, or any otlier member of the community, whatever his calling, chooses to attend the meeting and hear all about wool, sheep, laying down grasses, &c, &c, I for one have no objection ; and if he desires, to add his mite to assist in importing improved stock, machinery, seeds, &c ; and in setting up our intended model farm, why whatever he pleases to give will be. thankfully received and faithfully applied to the intended object. I am afraid I am running on to an unreasonable length, Mr. Editor, but 1 must say one word more. I think the title ought to be changed from "Graziers' Society" to "Agricultural Society," "Farmers Ciub," or something of the kind, for it never was intended to preclude agriculturists who are not graziers (if any such there be) from joining with agriculturists, who are so, in obtaining objects intended alike for the good of all. I hope therefore that oh the 30th we shall see a goodly array of Farmers of every description who desire to aid in a genuine attempt to further- the best interests of the Ahuiiri District. The man who crops a4O acre section is just as much interested in the objects of this association as he who feeds sheep over 40,000 ; andhs may take my word for it that nobody ever thought of excluding him. Your obedient Servant, One of the Projectors, Napier, Jan. 19, 1858.