STRATFORD A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 June 1916, Page 3

STRATFORD A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Saturday. The annual meeting of the above Association was he]' l in the Forester's Hall on Saturday afternoon. Mr. I\. Masters (president), was in the chair, and 40 members were present. REPORT. The report stated: Taking into consideration the abnormal conditions obtaining <>n acount of the war. the Show was undoubtedly as successful as any previously held. We desire to place on record our appreciation to the exhibitors for the generous manner in which they supported the Show, such support being very encouraging to the Association. Tn view of the expressed thanks of exljibitors for the courtesy and attention shown to them at the Show we feel confident that we can look forward to the continued support of these patrons. Owing to the great number of our members who have gone to tiie. Front and members who have left the district, and in spite of the fact that 10) new members were made during the year the fact remains that the membership has not reached the standard that your Executive would desire. If the Association is to prove a usefi.l and financial institution it is imperative that the membership should be considerably increased, and it therefore behoves evervone interested in the wel ; fare of the Association to do their utmost in this direction. While the Executive may do a great deal in this connection it is the bounden duty of every individual who places a value on the benefits derived by the Show to the district to use every effort to increase what we feel is the life's blood of the Association

The Patriotic Committee made a request to the Association for the use of the Showgrounds on Easter Monday, and the Executive, realising their duty to the Empire, decided to forego the usual Gymkhana, which, of course, reduced the earning eaparity of the Association con-

siderably. During the year a conference was held between the various A and P. Associations in the Province, and it was unanimously agreed that an increased charge of 2s be made at the gates to non-mem-bers, and further, several suggestions for the more economical working of the As-

sociation. The President, in moving the report and balance-sheet, congratulated members on the successful show that was held. The Association had. in conjunction with other Associations, decided to increase the gate charges, and the returns showed a better result. The entries were up to the standard of previous years. Tn past, years the Association held a OymUiana on Easter Monday, but had fotegone it this year in ordc that the Soldiers' Day Fete should take place. year no tickets were issued to members unless they were paid for before the issue. At first it was doubtful if the system would be favorable. ljiit results had proved that members hud appreciated the innovation, and it was only reasonable that members should pay for their privileges before the Show. During the year the executive had g : ven a great deal of time to the matter of the establishment of a model dairy farm in Taranaki, and the | Minister of Agriculture had visited the district, and expressed himself favorable to ti;e proposal. The matter was now I'eceiv'ng the consideration of the Board of Agriculture. Some improvements had been made to the floors of the produce and luncheon rooms, and gates had been erected at the entrance to the groii'.ds, tbpy being the gift of Mr. E. Jackson. The executive, during the year, had used v.'ieir utmost endeavors to reduce. the expenditure wherever possible, and the ba : ance-sheet would show that there had been a great deal saved in many of the items, more especially in the advertising and general running expenses. If the Association was to be successful ii must have a large membership, and he thought it was not being supported as it should be. To the dairy companies in the immediate vicinity of Stiatford there were 008 suppliers,

and cut of rhat number there were 190 members of the Association. There were over 1000 latepayers in the Stratford county, am! yet only 190 memoers belonged to the Association. In the Stratford 1 orougii. 191) members belonged to the Association, which showed that the farmers wete not supporting the As-

sociation as they should do. Progress could onl t \ be made by a large member-

shin If the Association had 1000 financial members, in seven years it could pay oil' all its liabilities, and he hoped tiie members present would bear this in mind, and each and all work for this object. Mr E. Jackson, in seconding, said that '■lore improvements were necessary, but they could not undertake them owing to the state ot' the finances. He himself was disappointed with the membership, and though'- thai dairy companies might take .ip the matter, and all the suppliers become members. Mr. S. M. Porritt said he was sure the (armors in the district did not realise the anuniit of work the executive and townspeople had given to the Association. The farmers had not given the support they should do, and were bliivl to.their own interests. Mi. J. Thomas said the farmers were not being treated by the Association'as tliev should be.

Mr T. Terry, speaking as a farmer, said that the Stiatford Show was .'the best he bad attended, lie had always found the officials, from the president down, exceedingly courteous to exhibitors. and he and many other exhibitors appreciated it.

Mr, C. Jackson said the farmers did :iot realise that the- Association belonged to them. They thought it was a town affair, Tf the tarmers took a keener interest in (he aflairs of the Association and went en the executive committee there would be less criticism. "Mr E. Mnrfe!t hoped members would not be down-hearted. There had been two "M-epti )nally bad years owing to the war and this must be expected till l),e war was ever. llr N. Fulton said that the president had «oundec. the warning bell, and they ought to increase the membership. He suggested that the executive might consider the advisability of appointing one of their member? to wait 011 the Dairy Conference at their annual meeting, and place the object of the Association before the stakeholders. He thought the Association phould give, a prize to the farmer who secured the highest amount of butter-fat during the season. He believed if the largest herd 111 Taranaki were only 40 cows, better results would be got from the land. He >fl that, a member's badge should hi' issued ■ members \v< uld appreciate them mon than tickets He further sngi; -ie. that the industrial classes might b, fetter catered for.