THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5599, 4 February 1879, Page 6

THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND.

TO THB BDITOE OF THB MTCBITOK TIMES. Sib,—Under the above very imposing title a new society is about to be started, which is to embrace the whole of the Island and which is partially to absorb the local institutions at present in existence. It is, I think, surprising, that a body which proposes to take cognizance of the very large and important interests which win come within the field of the new society should he called into existence without, so far as I know, having provoked any discussion, not even a solitary comment, from that large class—some of them of considerable influence —that constitute the farmers of Canterbury. In the few remarks which I propose to make on the subject, I wish to say that I make no objection to the establishment of the Society, nor to its imposing title, as it must be obvious that it is allowable for any number of gentlemen to band themselves together and form an association, and call themselves whatever they please. I do object, however, to the society as it is proposed to constitute it, or rather as it is established because it directly interferes with the various societies of the same nature at present existfn looking oyer the account of the proceedmgs m connexion with its formation, we find that the promoters of the movement, I th{>.v disclaimed any intention of doing this. nro’ bably because such a step might awaken opposition. The latest information which we have on the subject, however, shows that either they were not sincere in their first announcements, or that circumstances induced them subsequently to change their nlans According to the report of the meetSßf delegates held at Oamarn, it anoMir* that when the new societytsSc

it# exhibition the local body be absorbed in tho new one for th t* to There are one or two points which w Jeafi noticed in any report of the proceedin^r 6 . 1 ? 01 I happened to eee. It has never been ♦ h for instance, whether the grounds nf Canterbury Association are to bo used occasions of the exhibitions of th 0n society, and, if so, whether the arising from the meeting, which form . portant an item in the revenues 0 f ou/a 101, ciation, are to go to the treasury 0 f B °' Koyal Agricultural Society. These , tlle important points which deserve much t,(> sideration, and should be carefully Hofi 11 ’ It may bo that tho promoters of the** movement have no such intention, but T 116,, justified in calling attention to the mat£? because it was stated at the Oamaru » > as a reason for fixing the Christchurch that there was already & organisation there, and that, in consenJm? 4 the work could be done at “much less cost k)T* it could bedonoanywhero else." I have annul the words of the speaker. It would therefore, that whether or not they interidf use our grounds or to take over tho proceed* t the meeting, it is intended at least to ni some portion of our machinery for then* institution. This, is one of the thing, which I beg leave to protest. It shouldZ borne in mind that the Canterbury Society struggled hard in times gone by to keep i ts 7 f afloat, and has acquired its present property chiefly through the energy Ji liberality of a few earnest men, who con tinned their support and gave their ti me its affairs when its prospects were indJS i gloomy, and now they have succeeded h making it the first association of its kind in NeW Zealand. Their efforts were supple mented by occasional grants of public money by the Provincial Council—an example, C the way, which has not yet been imitated tv onr Central Parliament. Its exhibitions are open to the whole of New Zealand, and receive exhibits from distant parts of the Middle Island, and I think from the North Island too, at any rate the breeders «f the North Island bring forward their animals at onr. Bam Pair held in March.

It appears, therefore, that the influence o cur Society extends over a very large area • it is doubtful, indeed, whether, by anj change in its constitution or character, its operations or influence could be extended over a *jder field than that which it now occupies. The two other principal Societies, viz. Dunedin and Oamarn, throw open their ethi! bitidns to the whole of New Zealand. This being the case, then I may venture to ask what does the new Association propose to do that is not already being done by the present Societies P Can it influence a larger area (its shows being peripatetic) than those at present in existence P From the very nature of circumstances it cannot, because it am only cover the same area which is now covered by the existing bodies. The promoters talk in a vague way of the great benefits which are to be conferred on the agricultural interest of the country by the establishment of the new order of things, —that the present societies have done a large amount of good, that they are all very well in their way, but now that the time has come when, in order to foster the great interests of the country and to aid in the development of its great resources, the new Association is absolutely essential. Let us not be carried away by vague generalities. It is apparent to us all that the present societies hare done a peat amount of good; we should he careful now we interfere with them. The Eoyal Agricultural Society can only affect the field which is already occupied by the local bodies. The promoters propose to themselves the same objects, but they say that they can do the same work better. When we review the histbry and position of these local bodies, I beg leave to doubt their ability to do so. Reverting to the account of the meeting of delegates at Oamarn, I beg to observe that one part of their proceedings appears to me to he open to very serious objection. They arrogated to themselves the right of dealing with an important question which certainly should have been submitted to the consideration of the annual meeting of the members of the different local societies, riz. .• —That when the new Association held its Exhibition the local Society 'should be absorbed in it for that year. As was to be expected at a meeting of the kind, the Chairman’s address dealt with generalities and with statistics, and he is doubtless to be commended for his industry in collecting so many details. His reasons, however, in support otthe movement were for the most part vagne, and sometimes his statements were inconsequent. He endeavoured to show that in order to be successful the meetings of a Society such as the one he waa advocating should be peripatetic, and instanced the case of the Hath and the West of England Association, which had attained only partial success until it was amalgamated with other Societies. The Canterbury, Timarn, North Otago, and other smaller societies, are marked instances of success, yet each of these had worked independently of the others. It would appear, therefore’, that amalgamation with other Societies is not essentitu to success. I sincerely hope that tire members of our Canterbury Agricultural Association will consider well their position, and what their prospects may he, before they hand themselves over to the new organisation.—l am, &0., A LIFE MEMBER.