The Globe. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1878.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1477, 9 November 1878, Page 2

The Globe. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1878.

The sporting element which during the early part of the week has been in the ascendant having given way to the bucolical the present seems an opportune time to discuss a subject of great importance to the pastoral and agricultural interests. As will bo remembered, some little time back the Hon. M. Holmes mooted a proposal for the establishment of a national Agricultural and Pastoral Association, which should be like the Royal Agricultural Society at home, peripatetic in its exhibitions. The project was discussed at some length by the association to which it was first addressed, and ultimately it was decided to accept it, and to request the co-operation of kindred societies in carrying it into practical effect. The result of this action has been the appointment of delegates, who are to meet at Oaraanx very shortly. These delegates represent the various societies in the South, all of which are established in centres so connected with each other by moans of the railway, that they may bo almost said to bo close neighbors. The object of this meeting, so far as wo can gather fi’om what has passed —for there is a little difference of opinion upon this point—is to fonnally inaugurate the National Association by the appointment of its officers and the settlement of the basis upon which its operations shall bo conducted. On the other hand, and our association is of this opinion, some societies are under the impression that this mooting is simply to consider whether such an association is to bo established Jt seems to us that the first view of the case which is held by the Otago and Oamaru Associations, is the correct one. The question of advisableuess has been discussed by the various societies some time back and decided upon, so that this point (loos not remain unsettled. This being so, wo take it that the object of the "delegates mooting at Oamaru is to decide the constitution of the new Association, and formally to launch it. As to the good which will result to the agricultural and pastoral interests, and consequently to the colony by the formation of such an association, there can bo little doubt. Some there are who express a fear that if an association is formed, it will, like Aaron’s rod, swallow up all the rest. This, however, appears to us to bo a fallacious notion. The proposed association will simply take up ground which the present societies, as constituted, do not profess to reach, and the now existing associations will work as feeders and adjuncto. to the more cosmopolitan one. It will do good lu th’s wise that it will tend to foster in agricultural and pastoral pursuits the growth of that national feeling, which all will admit, it is desirable c.bould exist. It will bo a competition not of the Canterbury, Otago, or Southland districts, ft will ho of the wJaylo SputU Island, T'u takg a priau at

such au 'exhibition will bo the blue ribbon of tho agricultural and pastoral world, and this will stimulate breeders to bring out still bettor boasts, to import yet more largely of tho best blood of the old country in order to secure the coveted distinction. Tho prize animals of each district which have taken high honours at their own shows will here moot in rivalry; a rivalry which now wo only see but in a limited form. By this means such an association will react for good upon tho district associations in tho improvement of their shows, so that instead of, as some people seem to think, snuffing out tho existing ones tho National Association will bo a moans of infusing yet greater life and energy into them. No interference need take place with present arrangements, nor indeed could any show compote with great hope of success against tho admirable one of tho Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Tho farmers of Canterbury and Otago would still have their gala days in the shape of their local exhibitions, and when these were completed and tho prize animals selected, they would moot once more in friendly rivalry to compete for the higher honours of a national prize. Wo hope tho delegates will bo enabled so to frame tho constitution of tho now association as to ensure it a long lease of life and succesful action, as wo are sure it will bo for tho benefit of tho community at largo.