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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4472, 20 July 1875, Page 2

We have seen a circular letter from the New Zealand Agricultural Society which meets at Otahuhu, addressed to members of the General Assembly, from Auckland, to which exception should lie taken. It is in the nature of a command to the Auckland members to support some motion, which the society in question imagines Mr. Cuthbertson will move in the House of Representatives. The Otahuhu resolution was moved by Mr. Woodward, one of the apostles of Protection in the North, seconded by Mr. Calvert, a local veterinary surgeon, and runs as follows:

Thai the New Zealand Agricultural Society highly approve of the course adoped by the Southland Society, and forthwith request the members of the province of Auckland, in the House of Representatives, to support Mr. Cuthbertson's motion, and that the secretary be requested to forward the same.

The following is the enclosure referred to: — At a special meeting of the directors of the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, held in the Prince of Wales Hotel on Saturday last, the following resolution, moved by Mr. G. F. Martin, and seconded by Mr. Robert Hamilton, was carried unanimously—“ That the vast and increasing importance of the agricultural and pastoral interests of this colony is worthy of the special recognition of the Legislature, and considering the great benefit already gamed from associations for the purpose of aiding the greater development of these industries, and that such associations would be still more beneficial if fostered and subsidised from the public revenue ; considering further that in the neighboring Australian colonies such associations receive an annual grant from the Government; and that such assistance has been found to greatly enhance their practical value—Resolved that J. R. Cuthbertson, Esq., M.H.R., be requested to bring the matter under the notice of the Legislature, with a view to have an annual grant voted to all such societies in the colony." The secretary having been instructed to forward copies of the resolution to all similar societies in the colony, the meeting separated.

It will be seen that the New Zealand Agricultural Society has run ahead of the facts. Mr. Cuthbertson has not made any sign as to what he proposes doing, nor is it likely that the members from Auckland province will be influenced in their votes by anything the Otahuhu agricultural junta may “forthwith re- “ quest ” them to do. But as the question of subsidising agricultural societies may come up during the session, it is as well to prepare the public mind for this new species of attack upon the public purse. AVhile granting to the full the usefulness of agricultural and pastoral associations to the agricultural and pastoral classes, we niost decidedly object to taxing the consumers of meat and farm produce for their especial benefit. But that is what the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association has the coolness to propose, and the New Zealand Agricultural Society of Otahuhu the transcendent modesty to “highly approve of.” How Mr. Outhbertson could stand up in the House, and preserve his gravity while moving such a resolution as is herein foreshadowed, we are at a loss to conceive. With beef and mutton ranging from 4d. to 9d. per pound; butter and eggs, poultry, and other necessaries of life “at war prices,” the proposal to tax the unfortunate consumers of those com modities, for the direct benefit of the pastoral and agricultural interest, is beyond example the coolest specimen of class selfishness that we have encountered for many a long day. The pastoral interest of Southland at all events might very well stand alone. If the proposal were to establish a model farm, in connection with a colonial educational system, in some suitable locality, we could understand its general utility, but to tax the great body of the people to provide prizes for fat sheep and cattle, to save the pockets of farmers and graziers who compete at agricultural shows, would be an inexcusable act of oppression. While prices remain at anything like existing rates, sympathy should bo felt for consumers and not for producers. Doubtless the agricultural and pastoral classes have drawbacks of which they complain, but on the whole, we incline to the belief that they have been coddled and fondled more than any other industrial interest in New Zealand. Let them take heart of grace and rely upon themselves, and they will have the satisfaction of knowing that the success attending their efforts has been fairly and manfully earned. To be “fostered and subsidised “ from the public funds ” is to become State dependents. This is a position inconsistent with independence and selfrespect.