The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MAY 21, 1903.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 897, 21 May 1903, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MAY 21, 1903.

MR WATSON AND SHOW REGULATIONS. A long letter on a subject of considerable interest to farmers is given in our correspondence columns to-day from Air 11. N. Watson. The letter in some respects is an ably-written one ,bul is marred by the tone. Air Watson sets out with ini idea seemingly that everything was meant as a special “ knock ’’ to him, and then he attacks all and sundry. First lie complains that the reporter has not represented matters clearly in regard to his motion. The report gave the facts without any coloring, and it would have been more gracious of Air Watson to have acknowledged that than to make it appear otherwise. Then, aider some excellent arguments against the rule as amended, Mr Watson has a thrust at individuals. Because Air Alaeiarlanc spoke against the motion his opposition is attributed to “ enmity ” caused by an incident occurring over two years ago. The President of the Society is then singled out and accused of partiality and of talking “dap-trap.” is that a reasonable way to argue the ease? The members who had a right to complain of (lie President’s action were those who wanted to get away to attend to other business, but yet perforce bad to wait because of the

courtesy of .'the President in allowing a discussion, on a motion which he knew must be ruled out of older. .Even the inlerieelion ‘‘sportsmen” could not be allowed lo pass by Air Watson, who gives an extraordinary version of the popular idea of a good sportsman, though what it has to do with the ease is not dear. the unfortunate part of the controversy is that Air Watson is too prone to see imaginative sellishness on the part of

others, lie has a strong ease, and can put it strongly, but he is not going the right way to obtain support for it by attributing unworthy motives to gentlemen szliose Whole career

in our midst is a contradiction 01 'he assertions. We do not suppo-e more fair-minded men would he lound anywhere than .Messrs Holden, .Uacfarlanc, and Hood. They can 'take a win without ostentatious glee, and they can accept defeat calmly. r lhe position, we understand, in regard to the rule is that it was altered after mature consideration by the committee. Mr Watson raising no objection. and was then approved of by a general meeting. As .Mr .Murphy so aptly put. it. why not alter the rule again if it is not satisfactory ii it .Mr Watson, it seems, staitcd on on a wrong course of procedure, and being courteously allowed to speak, he forthwith made the serious assertion that the rule had been brought, in in a way that was not known to the mem teas. That accusation was very promptly contradicted by the SecreUry. A forcible speech in favor of rescinding tile altered rule was made by .Mr Witters, whose, arguments carried conviction. Indeed we think that the rule as it now stands is not fair to local breeders, and should be altered ; but nothing would be more likeiy lo prevent members supporting an alteration than the altitude taken up by .Mr Watson, of first making it appear that a rule had been passed without the knowledge of members, and then of accusing the President of want of impartiality and another opponent. of “ enmity.” As jor the

quailing of champagne, the subject is rather ancient to he treated oilier wise 1 ban in an envious way. Those who missed the clicking of the corks and ihc effervescent vintage, should have given tilings a merry turn again if they so desired when the accounts came up.