THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam." [Established November 15, 1861.] DUNEDIN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1868

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23940, 16 October 1939, Page 5

THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam." [Established November 15, 1861.] DUNEDIN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1868

SEVENTY-ONE YEARS AGO

The very faint—we might say re-luctant-manner in which public support is given to Agricultural Associations, is a subject worthy of more consideration than it . has received; It is not in Otago only that this happens. The thing is common to all the colonies, and is not without its parallel in many parts of the Mother Country. Thit there is a difficulty in obtaining anything like general support for these associations, except perhaps in the first year of their, existence, is a fact which all who have the management of such, institutions have only, too good reason to know. There must be something radically wrong'about them: and it is . assuredly worth the while of, all who seek to maintain them amongst us to endeavour to ascertain the rear sons of this fatal indifference. If the fault lies with the public .something should be done to instil into it a higher idea of what tends most to its interest. If the associations are not what they ought to be, Either in aim or organisation, they shquld be rer formed. We do not pretend to. solve this social problem. But’ it appears to us that there are faults on both sides.

Barley growers will rejoice to leatn that the duty on colonlal iiiade spirits is rioW, by the terins Of the new Distillation Act, reduced to Six shillings a gallon. The business' 'of distillation will how, we suppose, be entered into with some spirit. Christchurch is In a pitiable plight just now, if reliance may be placed on certain statements published in , the Tlraaru papers. The streets are deserted, bash is invisible, and the very weather is vile. , ,