TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9137, 9 February 1910, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

In view of the approaching visit of inspection of Lord Disheartening Kitchener the DeVolunteers, fence authorities are

straining every nerve to put the best appearance possible upon the equipment of the forces. They may be succeeding to their own satisfaction, but the Departmental officials do not seem to be possessed of an excessive amount of tact. Considerable irritation has been paused by an order that has just been issued for the removal of the electric light and searchlight plants from Lyttelton and Dunedin to Wellington and Auckland. Naturally the volunteers in Dunedin and Lyttelton feel that an injustice has been done them. They have been using the apparatus, and it is in, fact an essential part of the equipment of the defence forces of the ports. The men have made themselves very proficient, but the means of carrying out operations at night have now been taken from them, and there is a very keen feeling of resentment. Such treatment as has been meted out to them will, if persisted in, surely kill the enthusiasm that is the main inspiration of volunteer work, and it is to be hoped that the authorities will not persist in a course of action that will make the southern ports appear ridiculous in the eyes of Lord Kitchener.

On several previous occasions members of the Manawatu

Show A. and P. Association Privileges, have discussed ■ the question of the privileges accorded members of the Association in all its phases, but without, from a popular point of view, arriving at a satisfactory settlement. At the last meeting of the Association, when the members of the Half Holiday Association were present, the subject came up. and at the meeting to be held on Saturday more discussion will take place on it. Mr H. Gillies will move, in effect, that a return be made to the old order of thingsgiving the former privileges to ladies —and certainly as far as financial results are concerned it would appear a wise and desirable step. _ Though the Association was primarily established for the improvement of 6tock, it is a fact that there is a very strong financial side to be considered. In this connection it must be remembered that under the state of affairs to which Mr Gillies proposes to return the membership was 1500 strong, and that it has fallen back to 1100 eince the privileges have been curtailed. We have on all occasions urged, with several members of the_ Association, the desirability of making membership privileges as cheap as possible, being fully convinced that popularity is the royal road to success, and further that a certain 20s annually from members is better than a problematical shilling from a casual visitor, but it is a policy that has not found favour hitherto with the majority of the committee, who curtailed at once the privileges and their own revenue, the latter to the extent of £400 in the manner previously stated. It is_ to be hoped that on Saturday wiser counsels will prevail, and that the Association will concede privileges in connection with the ladies' tickets that the receipts have shown are fully appreciated by the public.