The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “The West Coast Times.” TUESDAY, AUGUST 23rd, 1921.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 August 1921, Page 2

The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “The West Coast Times.” TUESDAY, AUGUST 23rd, 1921.

A-WORKABLE CONSTITUTION. At the meeting of the W estland A. and I*. Association on Saturday the question was raised as to a workable constitution, so as to embrace all parts of Westland in a lively and interested manner. Of late the Association has largely been centred in the Ivokotahi district, where the torch of public interest in farming affairs has been kept burning by a faithful few. It is being rightly realised that such an Association should he of widespread interest, and this was in mind at the late meeting when a recommendation was made to the executive to arrange for moveable meetings so that local interest n agricultural and pastoral matters could be stimulated in all districts all the year round. Westland is largely length without breadth, and ns a consequence the settlements are wide apart, and the cost and delay in travelling to and fro. would militate against the success of the moveable meetings. AVhat should be more practicable appears to he the idea that the headquarters of the Assosoeiation should lie in one definite centre, Hokitika Tor convenience sake, and that in the various dairying or farming centres local branches should be set up. Each centre would thus control it< own affairs over a definite area, and would have the right to send delegates or representatives to the central Association. The New Zealand Farmers’ Union is worked much on these lines and the system could be adapted to agricultural and pastoral affairs in Westland. The executive at headquarters would

consist of representatives of the branches so that every part of the district would have a ‘voice in the management. If those on the land united as they should for their common weal, the Association could lie made a very influential laxly, and its executive would he of important standing. It should then be possible to arrange for moveable-meetings of the executive at quarterly periods. The annual meeting could be held at the established centre, where in the interim between the quarterly meetings the officials could carry on tne work of th ( , Association. The interest displayed in the work of the Association :>t last week's meeting, shows that the settlers liav-e the welfare of such a corporate body much in mind. Tf that enthusiasm is general, there is every hope for such a scheme as we have outlined being popularly received. No doubt it would “pay” the settlers well to have so useful an institution n.s an agricultural and pastoral association properly organised. If started on the proper lines and a paid secretary (who would also lie organiser) were appointed, the district could he well canvassed, and a strong membership enrolled. An entliuiastic officer could made the association a financial success, and the settlers would benefit b.V the results to a-'cruc from proper organisation in regard to the running of their pursnits. The step would he a forward one. for which the times are ripe. Settlement is more and more assuring the future of the district, and with the early opening of the Midland railway placing fresh markets at hand for the producer, there is all the more reason why thixso industrially employed on the land, should now combine and organise, so as to get the best they can out of their surroundings and enterprise and thus on sure the greater flourishing success to their work.