Bird Fanciers’ Association Falls on Evil Days

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 275, 21 November 1935, Page 5

Bird Fanciers’ Association Falls on Evil Days

CONCERN AT SLENDER CREDIT AND APPARENT APATHY NORTH ISLAND BODY IN SESSION Mr. G. C. Thornton (Hastings) presided at the annual meeting yesterday of the North Island Poultry', Pigeon and Canary Association, when delegates from various districts were present in Palmerston North to discuss matters of interest to breeders. The Modest-attendance was rather disappointing, said the president, and. indicated a lack of interest. Ho had intended to make some proposals to delegates, but jkdt handicapped in doing so as he was not closely in touch with members, being a non-resident president. Other delegates present were Messrs J. Elliott (Wanganui), G. Eairbrother (Manawatu),' A. W. Campbell (Fcilding), J. T. Brice (Manawatu), J. Smith (Onehunga), J. Patterson (Wanganui), W. P. Okey (New Plymouth), H. E. Burgess (Auckland), J. T. Brice, junr. (Bantam Club), J. 11. Kissling (Gisborne). Several of the delegates were Manawatu men acting as proxies for distant clubs and associations. Mr. H. E. tussling,- secretary of the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association, was also present. A balance-sheet was presented covering the activities of tho past 18 months, and after a number of questions had been answered, it was confirmed. Council’s Report. The council report offered congratulations to affiliations for their hard work in holding, shows during the past low years, which had been trying ones to all fanciers. The balance-sheet, covering two seasons on account of the alteration of annual meeting date, showed a credit of £8 9s 7d, as against £49 14s 2d, the decline being accounted for by the cost —£107 10s sdv—of the utility poultry standard. Only £lO was now owing on tho whole cost, and there were standards on hand valued at over £IOO, in addition to blocks. The sale of the utility standards was not as large ns expected, returns being £29 0s 3d. Again this y'ear tho finances would need to be carefully watched, owing to the need for, having printed championship and canary certificates.- Siacero thanks wore extended to Air. J. Patterson - for running an art union to assist delegates attending the annual meeting, and also to those delegates who paid their own expenses, leaving tho council in a less embarrassed position. The Feilding Fanciers' Club was affiliated during the year and although their show was not a financial success they were determined to carry on and make a success next year. A grant of £2 2s had been made ,

to this club towards its liabilities. The Tauranga and Whangarei Poultry Clubs both held shows this year after being on the retired list, and it was hoped they would carry on iu the future. The agreement with the Federation of Cage Bird Clubs was signed in March and it was hoped all would work in harmony. Again this year there was great difficulty on account of sh-ow dates clashing, and the council wrote to affiliations asking them to endeavour t.o get the A. and P. Associations to arrange show dates that w'ould not clash. At the Crossroads.

Reviewing the prospects for tho future activity of the association, Mr. Thornton said that no doubt the management in the past had given rise to some criticism. Criticism with no constructive suggestions tended to lower dignity, and this had certainly been the case in tho past five years, though no individual could bo blamed. The fault was partly that too much had been expected of tho council members, many of whom were merely proxies without instructions. Many affiliations were also very inactive, and some secretaries were very dilatory. The association unfortunately had little income, only that received from show license fees and affiliations. Again, the administrative work required a sound knowledge of all affiliated bodies, and it must be admitted that many of the minor poultry clubs had very little standing. Tact was required by executive officers to manage affairs from a national outlook, and necessary contacts with governing bodies had been lacking in tho past. .A further contributory factor to the loss of prestige was the chango in date of the annual meeting, which (held at show time in Palmerston North) had been held to unduly favour the Manawatu Poultry Association. 0 Revisiou of Standards. Finally came the revision of the utility poultry standards, which, considered Air. Thornton, was a very false move, definitely losing the interest of the Agricultural Department and ignoring the commercial egg producer, whose support was often sought. There followed tho collapse of negotiations with tho “upstart" Cage Birds Federation, dealing a further loss of dignity. Nursing Finances.

Suggesting ways' of improving tho future status of tho association, tho president said finances needed tender nursing. Some assets wero shown which had little cash value; incomo must bo preserved and the appointment for a year of an honorary instead of a paid secretary would assist to that end. It was realised, nevertheless, that tho work was fully worth - the present £2O paid. Also, there should bo far greater cooption of kindred interests. If the interest of commercial egg producers, utility clubs and others could bo gained, the association should profit thereby. ‘ No longer were there sufficient fanciers -

of the old typo to sustain the associar lion; the fanciers had invaded the utility breeders’ domain.

Suggested changes in management were for tho appointment of an honorary secretary, tho appointment of a Ismail executive, and that more propaganda be distributed to associations. | Mr Okey congratulated tho president on tho constructive nature of his report, and said ho would like to see a committee set up to discuss some aspects. Personally, he thought a paid secretary should be retained, j Ho did not favour relegation of decisions to a committee, as that was tho procedure which iu tho past had led to shelving of important matters, replied Air Thornton.

| The meeting proceeded to discuss I tho recommendations of tho president. !Mr J. H. Kissling moved that for tho ensuing year an honorary secretary bo ; appointed, and after the matter had been thoroughly convassed tho motion was agreed to by seven votes to throe. I It was agreed to recommend to the incoming council that an cxecutivo (not exceeding seven members bo appointed. I A further recommendation to tho council was for tho appointment of ! a publicity officer to advise the poultry press of tho Dominion and also to cirjculariso affiliations. A Forward Policy. j Further recommendations of policy made by.the president were: (1) To consider ways and means of building up the annual meeting to bo truly representativo of affiliated bodies, instead of a gathering of mainly proxy delegates; (2) to review suggestions for assisting affiliated clubs to improve their own-standing;, (3) To build up a strong rcsorvo fund for future activities; (4) to consider ways of co-opting tho New Zealand. Poultry Producers’ Federation and the New Zealand Poultry Board, and tho officers of tho Department of Agriculture, and of obtaining tho advice of A. and P. associations wherever possible; (5) to 'review the present system of appointing judges with a view to stopping cliques, rings or strangleholds; (0) to entirely revise the present system of championship awards and to consider an allchampion show on tho lines of tho Sydney and Alelbourno Royal shows; (7) to mako a. decided effort to obtain moro publicity for tho association through tho poultry press; (8) to develop suggestions of establishing a judges’ association and a breeders' association, but only wheu a sound scheme is advanced and there is sufficient interest to assure success. A Final Sally.

In conclusion the president said: With all respect to thoso individuals who have given their timo to tho affairs of tho council, I would stress tho importance of securing a businesslike council comprised of men who know their work. This is not easy in a lowff tlio size off Palmersion North and

if any other largor ccntro offers better facilities, then iu tho interests of the association tho scat of management should bo moved there after due consideration." All Champion Show.

Considerable discussion centred upon several of these proposals, particularly thoso relating to the judges’ list and tho all champion show - . .After full discussion, it was decided that, as an experiment, an all-champion show should bo held next ypar in conjunction with tho Alanawatu Poultry Show in June. Such a show will be made open to all birds, as it was considered it would be impracticable to confine it to thoso already holding district championships. To emphasise the distinction, permission will be sought from tho Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand to use the term royal .in connection with awards made. It was decided to confirm a New Plymouth remit asking that no affiliation bo allowed to hold a show on more than tho allotted number of days. The council was recommended to frame a rule that all affiliations receiving offers of special prizes from commercial houses should distribute those prizes even if there was only one entry. Election of Officers.

The election of officers resulted:— Patron, Air C. Cussen (chief poultry instructor, live stock division of the Department of Agriculture); president, Air J. H, Kissling; vice-presidents, Messrs J. T. Brice, J. Patterson, 11. E. Kissling, C. G. Thornton; hon. secre-tary-treasurer, Air J. T. Brice, junior; hon. auditor) Air H. E. Kissling.

A welcome to tho meeting was extended to Air Cu3sen, the president stressing the need for co-opcmtion between tho department and the fanciers. Acknowledging the welcome, Mr Cussen said ho had always realised that tho fanciers wero tho foundation of tho poultry association. The retiring secretary, Air P. T. Robinson, voiced objection to what he considered the unfair criticisms which had boon directed against him by tho president. Ho declined renomiuatiou. On behalf of tho Alanawatu and West Coast Association, Mr H. E. Kissling expressed good wishes for the futuro of tlio association. Ho realised that a poultry show was ail integral part of a comprehensive A. and P. lixturo. Ho particularly thanked the association for its decision to hold an all champion show in Palmerston North next winter.