POULTRY INTERESTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 119, 19 April 1934, Page 10

POULTRY INTERESTS

OFFER BY A. AND P. ASSOCIATION CONSIDERED BY MEETING. There was an attendance of over 25 members and supporters of the Manawatu Poultry Association at a meeting held last night, which had been called to deal with a letter received from the Manawatu A. and P. Association regarding the terms under which they would work with the Poultry Association when futuro poultry shows were being held. Mr J. T. Brice presided. The chairman explained that, in accordance with deliberations at a previous meeting, he had written the A. and P. Association regarding the policy for conducting future shows; also that a committee had been appointed to meet the A. and P. Association should the latter deem it necessary, tie had received the following reply: “With reference to your letter of March 19 regarding conditions, I am now directed to advise you that the committee is prepared to make arrangements with your association for a five-year period as hereunder: —(1) Use of hall and free lighting; (2) use of pens and benches, the former to be erected by the Poultry Association; (3) one hundred members’ tickets to bo granted, 2s 6d each to be paid for these (sold or unsold) ; no passes to bo allowed; (4) the association is not prepared to grant any subsidy, but will pay over the amount standing to the credit of the Poultry Association (£26 7s 2d) and also will hand over any prize tickets now in its possession; (6) the A. and P. Association will not print and publish the poultry schedules and catalogues in its publications, this work to be the sole _ responsibility of the Poultry Association, and no work of any description will be undertaken by the A. and. P. Association other than that set out above.” The chairman asked the meeting to carefully review the facts, especially asking that no harsh resolutions be passed which might hinder a settlement of the trouble existing.

The question of ownership of pens having been raised by Mr B. Beauchamp (Makino), a detailed statement was presented by Mr T. Bruce reviewing circumstances regarding the purchase of the pens, all of which, ho said, showed conclusively that the pens were the property of the Manawatu Poultry Association; also, said Mr Bruce, there was an agreement, which he produced, in existence. If the minute book of the association were forthcoming the minutes would doubtless disclose the fact of who owned the pens. The speaker said further that, when he stated at a previous meeting of the association that an agreement was in existence, Mr W. T. Penny, the secretary of the A. and P. Association, was surprised. With regard to the new proposals of the A. and P. Association the latter had themselves supplied figures showing that it took £9O to conduct the Poultry Show—the last show took over £IOO. If only £25 were received as members’ fees, it would thus be seen that something like £7O -would have to be met by the Poultry Association if they themselves conducted the show. That could not be done, he contended. Illustrating the benefits the A. and P. Association had derived from poultry exhibitions, the speaker gave a resume of balance-sheets over a period of years, showing the amount of money involved and the value generally of the poultry exhibitions to the A. and P. Association. Mr P. Robert, an old member, said lie could endorse all the remarks made regarding the pens. These belonged to the Poultry Association. As far back as 1916 the question of hiring was discussed, and it was decided definitely that all moneys received for hiring should be credited to the Poultry Association, provision also being made for the cost of benching. He had no doubt that the pens were never at any time the property of the A. and P. Association, and the minute book would prove he was correct. Mr P. T. Robinson 6aid that legal advice obtained was to the effect that they should not depart from the provision of the agreement, the existence of which was proved. He said the association had to take a firm stand and fight if necessary to a finish. Either they should work under the last agreement or not at all. He would prefer that all money possessed by the Poultry Association should be used to fight for its just rights. Reverting to the question of ownership of the books, Mr J. A. Bell formally moved “that an application be sent to the A. and P. Association demanding that all books, including the minute book, be forwarded to the association immediately.” The president intimated that he had asked for the books, but had been refused, the claim being made that they were the property of the A. and P. Association. Mr Penny had stated that he was willing to give any information required. The motion was carried. The meeting then went into committee to discuss other measures necessary.

Resuming in open meeting, Mr Robinson moved that a reply to the aforementioned letter be sent to tho A. and P. Association notifying them that the Poultry Association could not agree to the terms under which future shows are to be held, but were prepared to carry on under the agreement of 1912. Asking how the trouble had arisen, Mr A. W. Just said that if the Association did not work with the A. and P. Association he did not think it would be possible for the Poultry Show to be held for some considerable time to come. He advised the meeting to be cautious and not to fall out with the A. and P. Association if a settlement was at all possible. The president said that a similar offer to that before them from the A. and P. Association was made to the Kennel Club and last year. Mr Bruce said the Poultry Association desired, if possible, an amicable settlement, but they were not going to be dictated to, Mr Bell concurring with these remarks. Mr B. Beauchamp moved that a delegation of three be appointed to confer with the A. and P. Association with regard to the agreement and other matters relative to future shows. This course was adopted, after Mr Bruce had reminded the meeting that the Poultry Association had _ already offered to send a delegation, the only reply reoejved being, he said, tlie letter under discussion. Mr A. Pratt thought that further representations were necessary. Messrs A. W. Just, J. T. Bell, and T. Bruce were appointed delegates to interview the A. and P. Association. Mr T. Bruce was appointed secretary of the association pro tern.