The Oamaru Mail. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURIST. SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 1879.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 909, 15 March 1879, Page 2

The Oamaru Mail. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURIST. SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 1879.

Mr. Dunedin Agricultural and Pastoral Association, cipens* a letter, which tttay be found in another place in thisissue, by huptying that we are- indebted t>> his "' short "visit to thmiiFu " for the valuable explanation, and opinions which that letter contains. Mr.- J.UIE.-V ideas have been developed fiy an article which appeared in our issue of Thursday ta.*t. This U fortunate ; but we d<> not ktvjw which is deserving of the most thanks the article, Mr. "J,wce», or the circumstances that brought that gentleman to. *)an«w« at this time. Mr. Jamb* exhibits a horror of local jealousies. We will accept the hint he had given that ttiey art) pernicious, on account of his superior knowledge of this matter.. His distaste for local'jealousies, gnined, we presume, bytongexperieneeof their injurious effects, has affected his power of perception, and, in his extreme anxiety to e-peneh in others even the appearance of this evil, as he had ijiienched it in himself, he raises a phantom in »tiW to- knock it ifuwn. He charges u,< with trying to- ,- promote- local jealousies." We- need not Kvy that we have- nothing to be jealous about; and if lie means that ftimedin is likely to get jealous of us, the idea is ridiculous to. Chose whose brains are not racked by such fears. Wo merely denounced the action of the £>. A. and P. Association in reference to the proposal Royal Agricultural Society, ami Mr. Jamk* rushed forth to prevent any hanw being done- to the cause foe- which he ha* just proved he has so great a regard. We have already intimated that he need not have troubled himself on this score. We will ever be careful to assist t» maintain friendliness between the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies whoso■ "tntewsta are so. wrapped up together. Nor did we ui our article" refer to Mr. Jam* with the object of making hint blameworthy in connection with the subject en which we treated. True, we said that he U Secretary to ! the t>. A. and P. Association ;. but is there any disgrace attached to that l Supposing that the Association 'fuut been guilty of" indiscretion, he is u*> nui{» responsible for that than an organ blower is for the music emitted by an organ. When he wrote to the timit* A." and P. Societies- saying—'" I shall be happy to receive the opinion* «f yowr ' Association in the matter [ref erring to the ftoys*! Society, the- establishment «>f which ; had been suggested by Uamaro] at ye-ar earnest convenience/' he- did 9™ we anppose under instructiwn* from his superiors. : but, assuring Mr. J*.vf«* tty»t w« are not now "' trying to- promote local jeafousiea,'' in order that he may not unnecessarily tvoubte himself on that score, we would ask whether the Dunadtn Society wwiM again take action simitar neuter similar circumstances, after their late experience of its utter futility. Tn» OiMnartt Society, it was well kiwwti, had already communicated to kindred societies* «tt the subject, and ad they lacked neither ability to make their *u>w.» known, nor prestige- to enlist co-operation, the action ef the Ditnedm ! Society in following in their fcootsteps appeared to n<* to- *>* tinndci«*»ry Mid unbosinessdifee. In saying th» wc ' would »g;wn inform slt. Jams* ' that we havw tu> desir» to- '* promote jealousy.'" But there is yet another ; feature in thl* matter that seem* to' account for the- s»nallne33 of the number 'of members secured in Dunedin for the ■Royal; Society, The Dunedin S'«'ci_ety"» | : Committee seems to> have left the business ■of securing mernlbers to Mr. James, and : although that gentleman's anxiety for the : prugres* el tne agricaltaral and pastoral interests mar b<*~great, fee deea not stee 'tftatfce is called upon t*> tronble htms.df ■in the interest* e« t&e Rnyal Society--iuntesft fci* salary t* sappleffiented. Wo thinre that the Committee of the Royal ! Society nvignt make an aMowancs of so irmteii per head to those secretaries whw ■ sowvething to- stimwlate them. Let : HS S(S s>—LS Ms. JaMKS had rsceived Is- per head hz weald hs»ve been f.hff iiappy 'recipient ef » sopptementiwy Wa<*»tk»£ «»> provided ho secured iall She adherent* jtJfat havo been ! book*»i j» Ihwaada*. Mr. J*mr* aaggcats a» aa alt«ru»tite sl#t tfc« sjjeretaty to the

delegates, who resides in. Christchurch, should visit the various centres of population, and personally canvass for members ; but we hope that no such arrangement, which would cruelly deprive local secretaries of a little supplementary income, will be adopted. This, it appears to us, is the most important part of Mr. James letter; and we cannot help thinking, after all, that the thanks of that gentleman are due to us for affording him a pretext, under the cover of castigating us, for suggesting a rise in his salary. Wherever such men as Mr. James are employed, they should be well paid. In conclusion, we would say to Mr. James—Take care that you do not promote local jealousies '.