SHOULD THE NATIONAL SHOW BE MOVABLE?

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 25, 21 December 1910, Page 45

SHOULD THE NATIONAL SHOW BE MOVABLE?

ANIMATED DISCUSSION AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. Mr. Osborne, in moving at the annual meeting of the society, that the show s>e held ia Palmerston in the first weak

of December next, said he spoke as au enthusiast, and having the welfare of the society at heart he was sure that if they left the interests of the society in the hands of Palmerston they would be perfectly safe. In Palmerston were some of the most enthusiastic growers of the Dominion, and they would support the society in every possible way. He knew many of them and urged that Palmerston be made the location for the next show. Mrs. Goldsmith (Levin) seconded the motion. There might be arguments in favour of changing the place for the show, but the weight of advantages was in favour of Palmerston. Mr. Fox said before fixing on a permanent place for a show they should consider the question of finance. In the larger centres they would be more likely to make their finances stronger, and perhaps form a nucleus to tide them over any set-back they might receive through bad weather or other cause. Mr. Allan (Auckland), said Mr. Osmond had put tile matter rather strongly in saying that if the next show were held in Palmerston it would be held here permanently. That he did not think desirable, and he would move as an amendment that the next show be held in Wellington. He would like to hear the matter thoroughly ventilated. Mr. Trumble (Inglewood) seconded the amendment. He thought it advisable to change the place of the show about. Mr. Trevethick (Lower Hutt) advocated bolding the next Show in Wellington, as they shouhl look to get a strong membership and be careful of their finances. Mr. Plummer (Auckland) also thought the next show should be held in Wellington. Mr. Bradfield, junr., said the society had been formed to encourage amateurs to grow sweet peas, but it looked to him as if they were only giving consideration as to how much money they could make. Mr. Oliphant (Greytown), speaking as an amateur, said their first consideration should be to encourage the growth of sweet peas. He hoped even professionals would not allow the matter of finance to interfere with this object. Mr. Osmond said the provisional committee might have done more for the finances. Some of them had done great service. They could point to £ 120 worth of trophies, and he thought they had done well in having that in silver. If they had instead, got the donations in gold, they could have come forward that evening with a very substantial cash balance, and they would not then have heard all this talk about the finances, about which he had not the slightest fear. He was quite prepared, if the occasion arose, to put his hand in his pocket, and do his share, and he knew there were many Pelmerston enthusiasts quite ready to assist. With reference to the proposal to go to Wellington, he was not prepared to allow the National Sweet Pea Society to play second fiddle to the Wellington Rose and Carnation Club, and that was what the proposal meant. He thought the position should be the other way about. If t'hev went to Wellington, the Rose and Carnation Club would run the Sweet Pea Show, in fact, would absorb it. and he did not think this at all desirable. As to the membership, the great bulk of Hie members were Palmerston residents, and they could have come there that evening and packed the meeting and quickly settled the question as to where the next show would be held, but he was glad they had not done so. He was pleased, however. to hear the matter fully discussed. When he made the remark that if the next show was held in Palmerston it would be held here permanently, he said it because he knew perfectly well that Palmerston residents and enthusiasts would come forward with such substantial support that there would not afterwards be any suggestion to shift the show. The chairman said he would like to know from Mr. Fox as to what arrangements could be made with the Rose and Carnation Club in Wellington. Mr. Fox said the Carnation Club would of course insist that the two Shows should be combined, but he had no doubt the C lub would be prepared to make such financial arrangements that the Sweet Pea Society would not suffer, but would rather gain by going to Wellington. Mr. G. W. Keeling pointed out, in reply to a remark that there were, no Palmerston representatives present, that there were at least five members present from Palmerston. The central position of the town would always be a great advantage in working the Society.

Mr. Holder (Porirua) said they could just as easily go on to Wellington as stop at Palnierston. Personally, he did not mind where the show was held, but he thought the finances should be carefully considered. The chairman summed up the position. He thought the issues were fairly clear cut. If they went, to Wellington it meant that they would be absorbed by Rose and Carnation Club, and they would lose their independence, which he thought, undesirable. On the other hand. Wellington held out a tempting offer in that they might possibly improve their finances. The amendment was then put and lost, and the motion was carried by a majority of 2.