POULTRY INTERESTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 304, 21 November 1935, Page 6

POULTRY INTERESTS

NORTH ISLAND ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the North Islanql Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Association was held at the Manawatu A. and P. Association’s buildings yesterday, the president (Mr G. C. Thornton, of Hastings) presiding over the following delegates:—Messrs J. Elliott (Wanganui), A. W. Campbell (Feilding), 'J. T. Brice (Manawatu), J. Smith (Onehunga), W. P. Okey (New Plymouth), S. E. Burgess (Auckland), G. Fairbrother (Palmerston North), J. T. Brice, junr. (Bantam Club), and J. H. Kissling (representing Gisborne). Some of the delegates were local fanciers acting for districts in other parts of the North Island. . Welcoming the delegates, the president said that ho was somewhat disappointed at the attendance, which snowed a lack of interest in the affairs of the association. He had prepared some suggestions in the nature of a report for delegates, but . felt himself to be at a handicap in doing so owing to the fact that he was not a resident president and thus found it difficult to keep in touch with affairs.

The report was read as follows: “There is no doubt that the management of the affairs of the association has during the past few years given rise to some criticism. It is evident that the association has definitely lost dignity during the past' five years. However, the blame cannot be levelled at any individual or set of individuals.” Proceeding, the report stated that affiliated clubs that did not have personal contact with the council sometimes did not even know what clubs the executive were supposed to be representing. Again, many affiliated clubs were not very active except just prior to their respective shows and often their secretaries were dilatory,, in their correspondence. The association was dependent for income on fees for licensed shows and affiliations so that they could not give back much to their respective affiliations. There was ample evidence that the association had not made contact with other governing bodies to their mutual benefit. A change in the date of the annual meeting had been made because it was considered that the meeting gave an unfair advantage in an added draw to the Palmerston North Poultry Show and sufficient time was not available, during the currency of the show to give attention to the affairs of the association. Finally, the revision of the utility poultry standards liad been. a very false move. It had ousted the interest shown by the Department of Agriculture and entirely ignored the commercial egg producer. Its production had been immediately followed by the collapse of negotiations with the Federation of Cage Birds. The following suggested improvements were incorporated in the report: That owing to the precarious state of

the association’s finances an honorary secretary instead of a paid servant should be appointed; . or, alternatively, a professional organising secretary who would be prepared to build up the association. Again, that there should be a far greater co-operation of kindred interests. That authority be granted to the council to elect a committee not exceeding seven members. That as far as possible all organisation would be done well in advance and that far more propaganda work be sent out to affiliated bodies in the form of reports. The incoming officers should consider ways and means of building up the annual meeting so that it would be truly representative of the affiliated bodies instead of a gathering of mainly proxy delegates; to review suggestions for assisting affiliated bodies to improve their own standing; to build up a strong reserve fund for extension proposals in the future; to consider ways and means of co-opting the advice of the New Zealand Poultry Producers’ Federation and with it the New Zealand Poultry Board, and the officers of the Department of Agriculture who are interested in the poultry industry; to obtain the advice and .co-operation of all A. and P. Associations wherever possible .;..to review the present system of appointing judges; to revise the present system of championship awards and to consider all champion shows on the lines of the Sydney and Melbourne Royal Shows; to make a decided effort to obtain more publicity for the New Zealand Association; to develop 1931 suggestions of establishing a judges’ association and a breeders’ association, but only when a sound scheme is promoted and when sufficient interest is evident to assure success.

In conclusion, with all due respect to those who had given of their time to the matters of the council the president said he would like to stress the importance of securing a businesslike council. Some discussion followed on the recommendations embodied in the president’s address. It was decided to recommend to the incoming committee that a publicity officer should be appointed for the ensuing year and that the number of members of the executive of the council should not exceed seven. After a good deal of discussion it was decided to appoint an honorary secretary, on the motion of Mr J. H. Kissling. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. COUNCIL’S REPORT. The report of the council of the association for the period April 1, 1934, to September 30, 1935, was read as follows:—The council wish to congratulate affiliated societies for their hard work and determination in holding their shows together during the past few years, which have been a trying one to all fanciers. It will be seen that the balance-sheet covers a period of two show seasons, hut this w r as brought about by the alteration of the date of the annual meeting and the end of the financial year. The

r credit balance at the bank has fallen ; from £49 14s 2d to £8 9s 7d. This is , accounted for by the cost of the pro- > duction of the utility poultry stand- ■ ard which amounted to £lO7 10s 5d j during the period under review and 1 we are pleased to report that there > is now only £lO owing on the whole ; cost of this production, and there are • standards on hand valued at over i £IOO in addition to the blocks for > same. Again this year the finances of the association will need to be carei fully watched, owing to the necessity : of having championship and canary 1 certificates printed. .The Feilding Fan- • ciers’ Club was affiliated to the associ- ■ ation this year and, although their ■ show was not a financial success, their ■ members are determined to carry on the good work and hope to make it a . financial success next year. This club made application to the council for a donation to assist them to meet their liabilities, and it was decided, that a donation of £2 2s be made. The agreement between the Federation of Cage Bird Clubs (incorporated) and our association was signed in March and it is hoped that all will work in harmony, in the interest of the fancy. Again this year the council have had great difficulty with show dates clashing. This was brought about mainly by A. and P. associations, 1 witlrtwhieh bodies most, of our affiliations hold their shows in conjunction, allowing their dates to clash with other A. and P. associations. The council wrote to the affiliated societies asking them to endeavour to get the A. and P. associations to arrange their show dates from clashing with one another. —The report was adopted. GENERAL. It was decided to hold a Royal championship show in Palmerston North next year, to be held in connection with the Manawatu A. and P. Show in June, the Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand to be approached for permission to use the word "Royal.” A motion that ’all affiliated societies be compelled to hold their shows on the actual days allotted was carried. A recommendation to all affiliated clubs that special prizes be donated to prize-winners irrespective of the number of entries was passed. The election of officers resulted as follows:—Patron, Mr C. Cussen (chief poultry instructor of Live I Stock Division of the Department of Agriculture); president, Mr J. 11. Kissling; vice-presidents, Messrs J. T. Brice, J. Patterson, H. E. Kissling, C. G. Thornton; lion. secre-tary-treasurer, Mr J. T. Brice, junr.; lion, auditor, Mr H. E. Kissling. On behalf of the Manawatu A. and P. Association, the secretary (Mr H. E. Kissling) extended the good wishes of his organisation. He thanked the association for its decision to hold its show in conjunction with the Manawatu Show next winter and promised them on behalf of the association every co-operation.