THE A. AND P. SOCIETY’S APPEAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18787, 14 February 1923, Page 6

THE A. AND P. SOCIETY’S APPEAL.

Yesterday's meeting of the joint committee of the Otago A. and P. Society’s executive and leading business men made clear the existence of a very practical and self-helpful spirit behind the movement to raise funds wherewith to wipe out the society’s indebtedness, and place it upon a financial footing that will enable it to fulfil worthily its functions, unembarrassed by the disabilities under which it lias been latterly labouring. We need scarcely emphasise the fact that the' society'; -appeal to the people of Dunedin and Otago for a sum of £‘lo,ooo is that of an institution which has a very largo claim upon public support. The preservation of ■ the show ground at Tahnna Park means a groat

deal to this community. The public lias now an opportunity of demonstrating in a practical way its satisfaction at the retention, with all its pleasant traditions, of* Tahuna Park a?* the venue of the society’s popular summer gatherings, and this it can do by smoothing the path which, in facing its position, the society has wisely elected to take. The success of the appeal will mean the improvement of the park along lines which patrons of the Summer Show will have every reason to appreciate. The confidence expressed among those present at yesterday’s meeting that the sum aimed at, considerable though it be, will be forthcoming, represents faith in the merits of the cause for which assistance is asked, and in the generosity of the community. It should be unnecessary to reiterate the claims which the society has upon the support of the business section of the community. The bond of mutual interest is sufficiently in evidence whenever one of the society’s periodic popular functions is in progress. If the business community has not altogether escaped reproach in respect of the measure of financial support which, as a whole, it has accorded the society in the past, the opportunity is now open to it to show how strong its regard and sympathy for the society really arc. The amount already subscribed, nearly a third of the total, is a good augury, surely, for the ultimate result of the A. and P. Society’s appeal. Given energy on the one hand, and responsiveness on the other, and success should ere very long be placed beyond doubt.