SHOW PRIVILEGES.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 964, 16 March 1910, Page 3

SHOW PRIVILEGES.

♦ ISSUE OP LADIES' TIOKETS. OLD SYSTEM TO BE REVERTED TO. At the meeting of the General Oommitiee of the Manawatu A. and P. Association held yesterday, Mr Hugh Gillies moved: "That the ladies' tickets be issued to each member for the Dairy Show as at present, and for the Spring Show, two tiokets. similar to that issued in 19011, excepting that the ladies' .tickets for the Spring Show be

arranged far clipping at stands and passes issued same as for members."

Mr Gillies said that cue reason the Association's membership was falling off was that lesser inducements were given for people to join, For a £1 subscription the Association had previously given a member's ticket and two ladies' tickets. People wore getting enough, for their money now, in fact they, were getting 'too muoh (hear, hear), but the mistake was in the Dairy Show being included in the £l. That was one of Mr. Ooheii's follies. If members had the same Spring Show privileges as formerly they would be satisfied. The motion was seconded by Mr Balsillie, who concurred with Mr Gillies.. Tub ladies naturally felt the whole of the alteration in privileges falling on them. Human nature showed that if the ladies went to the Show the men would go. with them (laughter). "The Association is losing the oonfideuoe of the pablio," said Mr Balsillfe. 'We are too jealous and don't trust them enough. Any oonoessions we give are hedged about with all Borta of restrictions, aud we make the. many suffer for the sins of the few."

■■Mr-D. Buiok, M.P., favoured returning to the old system, When they began to harrass members they lost thorn. If they treated them well they would get the orowd. Major Dunk suggested a separate gate for members aud complimentary ticket holders, so that it would be easy to find out if there was any swopping of tickets.

Mr Hodder also spoke in favour of the resolution,

Mr S, R. Lancaster suggested the ohange bo tried for a year to see if it made any difference. Mr W. ¥. Jaoob pointed out ithat uo other association gave its members so many privileges, Dannevirke members paid £1 for a day's show, aud Feildiug the same amount for two days. It was mainly from the Feildiug distriot that members \uA been lost, and the Feilding Association had 401) members. He thought the members themselves were working up the agitation.

Mr ,1. M. Jolmstou said when the two ladiei'tickets were granted in 1899, the membership went np aud the gate receipts went down. He considered the inclusion of the Dairy 1 Show for the £1 was a great mistake. No other show in the Southern Hemisphere gave similar privileges. Mr Gillies: Hawke'sßay. . Mr Johnston: Hawke's Bay only lias a two days' winter show. If the Manawatu Association returned to the old ssyteui it would be playing into the hands of the townspeople against the oouutry. It was the townspeople who were agitating. If the winter show was kept separate lie would have no objection to the additioual ladies' tickets. Neither Duuedin or.Auckland gave the privilege asked for. Regarding Major Dunk's suggestion of a separate gate iiud the oliecking of tickets, he defied any man to check a lady in a big hat accompanied by another lady in a big hat. (Laughter). Mr MoHardy favoured the motion, as he believod the old system was the best. There had been considerable discontent at the alteration. Duiiug a disoussion ou the checking of tickets, Mr Johnston said he had seen ladies collecting tiokets on tlio grandstand, and paBS them out to their friends. Small boyß also jumped over the feucos and sold their pasess for (id The motion was carried by 15 votes to five.