SHOULD COUNTRY MEMBERS PAY A SUBSCRIPTION ?

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 84

SHOULD COUNTRY MEMBERS PAY A SUBSCRIPTION ?

Dear Dot, -Some little time back I noticed , a suggestion by Smokmg Flax re country LP | being allowed to become honorary clu^men^ t>ers by paying a nominal sum (I think he suggested sixpence) annually. He expressed a desire to hear some country D.L.F. opinions on iae matter, and mine is that his proposal t is an excellent one, and should, if at all possible, be earned out. There wou.d be much more active interest taken in the welfare of the clubs if the country L.F. had some tangible connection with them. Many take a keen interest and delight in reading the weekly reports, but it does not often occur to them to assist in supporting the club, simply because they know nothing beyond what they read m the reports, and have no special interest to urge them to help the- clubV It i» very noticeable in life that we take- a e reater concern m an affair in which we have I pecuniary interest. Although the investment of such a small amount as sixpence may not influence us greatly the knowledge fiat we are Honorary club members *ouM stimuli v* li i° T^ tha T other^e we would not have put forth. I sincerely hope we shall hear more of this suggestion. Club membeV? views would be interesting to hear, and I trust that ere long many country Little Folk will Z™"' t B , ut K -^- alld - bye I »«mbered soml prominent clubite 9 among my correspondents and the reports *ere of more interest becaust there were familiar names contained almost weekly. Still I gave no assistance, however small, and might never have done so htd it not beeen for a little incident that occurred— merely the passing of a few remarks to an cflicial and a reply that showed ihey hurt and perhaps somewhat annoyed. The atonement was the sending of a eelected article to the next meeting but one. I am sure that had I not become friendly with members I would not have taken active part in the supporting ? ♦«* £^ , F huS Z f&el Sllre that if country kittle bolk had some real connection with fhe c ub they would freely respond to the invitations to send in papers. Another matter I wi^h to touch on is £he wi itmg of letters to the Page by club members Although many are retired writers, .here are also some of our ablest scribes still eligible, to contribute to the Page, and it is their privilege and duty to do so. They need not write mereiy a repetition of the secretary's report There are a hundred and one little ihings of interest concerning the club meetings, etc that would make up a letter that country D.L.F. would highly appreciate. Most c übites to whom I have mentioned this subject plead want of time as their excuse; but that is not a plausible enough excuse to satisfy me, for they always appear to have sufficient leisure to indulge in pleasures and amusements. Here is a typical reply to my remarks to a well-known club member "Leave Dunedin D.L.F. to work for the club and country ones for the Page and also support the club, as they have more iime than town L.F." What do you think of that, country chums? Personally I've never ceased j to feel amused over it. and sometimes I wish I that same member had to do my work! I think the sending of appreciative letters to supporters is to be highly commended A word of gratitude and encouragement works j wonders esoecially in the case of a beginner. I Of course that sort of thing could not be done frequently It would entail too much extra work. Xow this article is a. formidable length, and I don't think there's much in it. after all! so I shall conclude witS a few suggestions for 3e bates, for which I've racked my head Here they are: "Does education help the vcrker?" "Are strike? beneficial?" "Should women propose'" "Which on the whole, live the happier lives, the rich or the poor?" "Whose loyalty is more to be depended on, man's or woman's?" For a special subject evening, "If I were king or queen." Hoping some of these will bo wcrth consideration and wishing you a. successful No. 2 Cub Number. — Yours truly, LADY ESLER.