SECRETARY RESIGNS

Southland Times, Issue 19458, 24 January 1925, Page 6

SECRETARY RESIGNS

A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. COMPLIMENTARY REFERENCES. The resignation of the secretary (Mr D. Cuthbertson) was accepted with regret by the directors of the Southland A. and F. Association at their monthly meeting yesterday over which Mr James King presided. In handing in his resignation, the Secretary read the following letter For some time past I have felt that it would be in the interests of the Association if it had a secretary who could devote his whole time to its work, and I have come to the conclusion that the time has now arrived when such an appointment should be made. I have therefore decided to resign from the position which I hold and 1 now ask you to accept my resignation as from such time as may be found suitable. I am very loth to take this step, as I have grown up with the Association and shall feel parting with it very much indeed, but I know that it is in the best interests of the Association, whose welfare I have very much at heart. It is now over 40 years since my father was appointed secretary and the work he did for the Association is still so well remembered by you that I need not dwell upon it here. I have been directly connected with the work of the Association for the last 31 years and I have been your secretary for II years. If I might be permitted to do so, I should like to suggest that applications be called for the position at a salary of not less than £450 per annum. If the work is properly done, it is worth this sum and a good man will probably not be got for less. He can easily increase the revenue of the Association by more than the extra cost of administration, and at the same time the work will be much more effectively carried out than it can be by one not devoting his whole time to it. In conclusion, I wish to thank the directors for the very great kindness I have experienced from them one and all during my connection with the Association and to assure you that my heart is bound up in its welfare and that I shall always do everything in my power to keep it in the place where it rightly belongs, the forefront of the Agricultural and Pastoral Associations of the Dominion. THE DISCUSSION. The Chairman: That is the position, and I would like an expression of opinion on the appointment of a permanent secretary. I believe it would pay us, as we would obtain more members by having a full-time man doing our work. The Secretary they could see the position. They were just finished with one show and were starting on another. To be quite candid, some of the directors had not been working as well as they might, especially when the enrolment of new members was considered. He felt he could not spare the time which was necessary and, if they had a full-time secretary, he could spend three months a year in the country. With the assistance of directors he should be able to increase the membership by 50 per cent. He had hoped to keep going until the Royal Show, but had found it impracticable. The new secretary would be well into his stride by that time, which would be a great benefit. The Chairman: We will miss our secretary, as he has grown up with the Association. It will be difficult to get a suitable man. Mr James Fleming said he had been connected with the Association for many years, and it was not until Mr Cuthbertson's father assumed the secretaryship that they made any progress. The Secretary: The break must be made and now is the time to do it. I am absolutely convinced that a full-time secretary is necessary. Mr J. Gilkison said their Secretary was determined in his action, and there was nothing left but for them to accept his resignation. He would not say they would be better served by a full-time secretary, as Mr Cuthbertson had been very energetic and had the interests of the Association at heart. Mr Scandrett said their Secretary had been the right man in the right place, and a suitable minute should be placed in the books in appreciation of his services. The meeting then went into Committee to discuss the position. APPRECIATIVE MINUTE. After resuming in open council the following resolution was carried unanimously: “That Mr Cuthbertson’s resignation be accepted with regreat and in consideration of his past services, and also in consideration of Mr Cuthbertson’s promise to assist the new secretary he be appointed a life member of the Association, and that he be voted £lOO on the occasion of his leaving the services of the Association.” In returning thanks, Mr Cuthbertson said he had not expected such a generous gift and he appreciated the spirit that prompted it. He would always have the interests of the Association at heart, and would always be willing to assist in any capacity. A disjointed discussion on the appointment of a successor followed until Mr J. Gilkison moved that the position of secretary be advertised at a salary of £350, plus a Io per cent, bonus on the membership list in excess of 1000. Mr Walter Clark said it was hardly fair to tie a secretary down to the Association, as he believed they could be well served with a part-time secretary. With regard to the. canvass for members, he stated that the directors should do this. They were bound to lose members if they paid that salary. Mr Gilkison explained that the motion did not restrict them to a full-time man. Mr Clark: Then you are. paying too much. He then moved as an amendment that they advertise for a secretary without mentioning salary. The amendment was lost, and Mr Gerrard moved a further amendment, that the salary be £3OO, with 20 per cent, bonus on all members over 1000. The amendment was carried unanimously.