MANAWATU A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9163, Issue 9163, 12 March 1910, Page 5

MANAWATU A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of members of the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association was held at noon to-day, Mr S. R. Lancaster, the retiring president, presiding over a very fair attendance. - • PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. The annual report, already published in this journal,'was taken as read, and in moving its adoption Mr S. R. Lancaster said he had a few remarks to offer on matters jn general. "Foremost amongst the subjects in my mind," ho said, "is the finances of this Association. The question is mostly referred to by ourselves in Committee, and some hard things are said—well, criticism is good, but I do say that more frequently for the want of a general statement from all view points the position of the Association is shown at a disadvantage. At our last meeting the question was asked what has the Committee done to reduce the overdraft. In reply to this I furnish a' statement of what we have done in reduction "of overdraft, and this, added to our assets, will give a definite idea of the position to-day; so far it has not been stated. I go back to: —

Overdraft. Spent in Improvements. £. £. 1903 ... 3244 ... 745 1904 ... 2504 ... 603 1905 ... 3122 ... 776 1906 ... 3195 ... 1483 improvements and land 1907 ... 5776 ... 2812 improvements and land 1908 ... 5378 ... — 1909 ... 5615 ... 431 improvements. 1910 ... 5452 ... —

showing that 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, disclosing that wc have bettered our position by nearly £5000 in seven years. During the past three years wc have not made the usual progress financially as the overdraft is £74 more, but we have spent £431 in improvements, but it must be mentioned there is a burden of interest and rates on the purchased land of about £150 per • annum. Economics so 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 me to make progress. The membership must be made popular, and an endeavour made to get back to tho 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 better stock and keener competition in the quality. There is one thing in conncction 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 else. Our live stock exhibitions, whether in horses, cattle, or sheep, are keenly contested from all parts of the Island. It makes for progress to have a. common meeting ground for breeders once a year, and tho Manawatu Showgrounds offer the most economical facilities. 'We conduct our Show in no parochial spirit, and I am glad to say breeders recognise this. Wc are indebted from time to time for the presentation of Challenge Cups and trophies, and these donations arc much valued, but especially are we indebted to Mr E. Short for his lavish gifts. The proposal made by Mr Harkncss at the last meeting of Committee, formulating a scheme, to help the dairy classes, I hopo will be launched successfully. It will dp a lot of good for the dairy stock. ' The necessity of improving the dairy stock is more apparent than ever. Champion Butter-fat Competition. — You will remember this was instituted in 1905, but the objects have not been attained. Tho prize-money is the largest offered with an ultimrite champion prize. The experience of support received indicates that a revision is required. It is worth considering to adopt a system for this competition similar to that of the Jersey breeders for the testing to be done on the farm. Under such a system I think large entries could bo expected, and as the whole method is carefully safeguarded the winner would be worthy of champion honours. Parade. —The innovation introduced for the working of the grand parade of stock ha;s had nothing but praise; in fact, the excellent way it was worked has been mentioned to me when visiting other places during the season. The idea of popularising the sccond day with the parade is well worthy of giving effect to, and I hope it will be carried out at the 1910 Show. There seems to me no reason why trotting and speed contests should not be added as an additional feature to our Show. Such events are very attractive show items in Australia. For this the ring -would require some banking up at tho ends. Additional Show building seems a long way off, seeing how big the overdraft is, but there is an urgency in reducing our liability, and carrying out certain new buildings. To my mind the requirements are a sheep pavilion, pig pens, and horse pavilion. The horse pavilion should be a building placed adjacent to the dairy show buildings, in which dairy cattle and pigs could be penned, and made a further feature at the National Dairy Show. The buildings are very plainly wanted. How it is to be done deserves the earnest consideration of the Committee.

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 homo nocdlecraft, we have an Agricultural Show and Exhibition 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.; for instance,,, the dairy machinery and appliances is *. a remarkable display, and it is impossible to praise it too highly, and no wonder that visitors attend from all parte of the Dominion. The support given by the National Dairy Association and the Dairy Factory Managers 1 Association, is much appreciated, and the Dairy Show Committee are leaving nothing undone to secure their continued co-opera-tion. It would take up too much time to refer to other features in detail, but I must mention the success attained in the fruit section, especially the champion class for £10, and the public school gardens, in which Mr Grant, the Agricultural Instructor, with many of the teachers, are doing . admirable and praiseworthy work. For the 1910 Show' it is gratifying to report that arrangements have been made, thanks to the Minister for Agriculture, Mr McKcnzie, for the Government < Pomologist to judge the apples, and the Dairy Show will doubtless have a still greater display of apples. References have been made frequently in annual reports to the admirable work of the Dairy Show Committee, and the chairman, Mr Dunk, and they well deservo it, for the Show has shown a profit from its inception. Farm Experiments. —This* matter was taken up at the end of last winter with Mr Bayliss, the Government Supervisor. A number of farmers came forward to take up the work. The late spring was wet, and delayed the preparation of land and sowing. Then we were overtaken with dry weather since October last. The climatic conditions have been very singular, which will likely upset anything like success this year. What results can be made will be duly recorded. One thing has been learnt — that farmers who have this season followed the usual average date for the ■sowing of many cereals have had fail-

ures owing to the peculiar nature of the past season. In conclusion, I have to thank the Committee for the support and patience accorded me during the past year, and likewise the secretary and staff.- I now formally move the adoption of the report and balance sheetMr J. M. Johnston seconded the report, but 6aid he could not agree with some of the remarks about the land at the back of the A. and P. Grounds. He thought the land was a good envestment. What was troubling the Association was that it was not adjoining the grounds. Financially the Association was absolutely sound, and the cash position was £150 better than last year. Mr Johnston said at the same time the finances needed the serious consideration i .of the incoming committee. They were cither spending too much in prize money or getting too little from the revenue. Mr Cohen said the president was the first .of his line to consider flic prize money should be lessened, and also to suggest other means of retrogression from the premier position held by tho Show. Rather, Mr Cohen thought, the Association should cater more for.- the people. He was not satisfied that the Show had reached perfection. It at one time had been able to have a considerable margin over expenditure, but now there was little or none, and he considered it due to the fact that members were not entered for, and he believed a solution would be arrived at by reconciling the membership, and preventing it from further falling away, as it would undoubtedly do were it not brought into active or passive relationship to the committee's working of the Show.

Mr Jounneanx suggested that tho saleyards might well be erected on the site of the land under discussion. It would be an ideal position. The report was then adopted. MR COHEN'S NOTICE OF MOTION.

The following motion was then moved by Mr M. Cohen: —"That it be a recommendation to the General Committee to amend Rule 3, Clause D, whjch reads 'That, any member whose subscription for the current year is unpaid shall not bo 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 that 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 be said that the members were satisfied, and therefore did not turn up, but 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 be 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. They could express their views, but could not vote. That was not only an injustice, but a scandal. A member was a m'ember for the currcnt year unless he sent in his resignation. The present position was against a man's self-res-pect, and he would not come to a meeting under such conditions. Mr Cohen said that the rule was preventing new blood from coming into the Association, and now blood was badly needed. The history of nations had shown that new blood was essential to life, and no matter how many ideas members had they would all be eventually used up or exploded,, and new members would bring in fresh ideas. Mr Cohen • considered there was no danger from packing meetings, as had been suggested. nor from proxies. .These latter could be exploited at present as easily as under the suggested alteration. It had been said that 300 members had been written off the Association every year. He did not believe it, but if it were so.the speaker contended that he had given them the reason in their not being allowed to vote. It was a case of cause and and the loss of interest in the Association was another effect from tho same cause.

Mr T. R. Plodder seconded the motion,

Mr Short jointed out that 18g per cent of the 1100 members ran the Society, and he- wanted to see something done to alter the present state of affairs.

Mr Conway said Mr Cohen's eloquence stood alone against the experience, not only of this Socicty, but of all the leading Societies in New Zealand. Mr W. J- Birch said Mr Cohen had raised a lot of duet to cover a, small matter. The speaker was against the motion, which he considered would 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 Society. Mr Jounneaux was in favour of the motion. No one wanted to pay for goods three months before they were received. Mr Herbert Booth was the next speaker. He said if he remembered rightly the motion was introduced to prevent people getting tickets before thej had paid their subscriptions. Mr Johnston said that was quite correct.

Mr Jacob always enjoyed Mr Cohen's eloquence, but he was not at all convinced by the arguments. Mr F. J. Nathan spoke in favour of tho motion. He thought Mr Cohen had effectually brought forward reasons for the decrease in the membership, and he believed members would take greater interest if they were allowed to take part in other ways. Mr P.. A. McHardie also supported the motion. The bulk of members took a very slight interest in the proceedings, which was against the best interests of the Society. The meetings were the same thing year after year, and they would be improved by "the motion coming into effect. Mr Cohen in reply stated that Mr Birch's parallel of the shareholders meeting was not a good one, foi* a shareholder who had sold out was merely equal to a member who had resigned. The fact that other societies had grown up around them was no reason for the decrease of membership, because at the same time there, was a great increase in the population of the district. As to Mr Booth's argunfeut about people getting tickets without paying for them, he was against that, and always had been. "The motion was then put and lost

by 15 votes to 19. "Very satisfactory," said the mover when the result was announced. Mr Cohen gave notice to move that the next annual meeting be held Just before the Winter Show.