The Wairarapa Daily. TUESDAY, AUGUST 28,1888. The Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2988, 28 August 1888, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. TUESDAY, AUGUST 28,1888. The Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association.

The 'first.growth of tho'Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association was so rapid and phenomenal that its founders have an almost unlimited confidence in its capability for further extension, and in their power to aid the process of development. There are, however, some people who know, by experience that an early maturity is sometimes succeeded by a premature 1 decay, and who in their counsels would incubate caution, The Association is now at a critical period of its career, when a false step either backward: or. forward may land it in difficulties. It bus just lost the services of Mr Meredith, a capable and experienced President, who but a few .weeks ago undertook to conduct iw affairs, We any fairly assume that Mr Meredith found that he had entered upon a somewhat more difficult task, tban'ho had antici-' pated, and that his resignation was in a measuro due to tho unexpected difficulties which he had to encounter. Even the financial position of the Association is less assured than it was a year ago, and capablo administration is needed to maintain its credit balance. The changes in tho presidency and secretatydii]) Me -.necessarily being imount of friction and<ge&emte no little disagreement amongst members. •■ These divisions, if pushed *oo far, will bo very injurious to the interests of the Association, and we trust members will be exceedingly temperate and guardedin expressing their various opinions, As lar as local interests are concerned, all stand on a common platform. If Mr Stuckey for example, advocates friendly relations with the Wairarapa Association, lie does so because, he believes siioli n policy to be the best for. Wairarapa North, He possesses'-no personal interests in tbeLoiver Yalley, and is quite, us sincere in his desire to advance the interests of Masterton as nro some of our farming friends, who will not listen to any proposal in. the direction of amalgamation,' As we understand it, Mr Stuckoy's programme does not go to the oxtent of amalga'mii-

tion, but has for Kb objrct united action, In the Mastertou Association there aw hyo grpupaicpf agricul;! ittrtij aiid the '^Mtorftl||;'Tlid ; Min6tnß i Mmenoally; the they i perhaps feel that they ;are to'aoonsid.jjrable.degree independent ql|he' latter. > It would, howoVpi-j bo'vory undesiraiil'o to allow any? permanent antagonist' between the agricultural and pastoral interests of the'district to be developed." 'fhe agricultural members front tlieiinuiuoricai strensth will have the power either to retain .or .alienate, the sympa\ thies of'the pastoral members, and we sincerely trust they will exercise their choice in'the latter direction. When Mr Meredith was appointed President we ventured;to-hopo that he would foster a'policy of union,* 'and we feel sure that had a favorable opportunity presented itself he would have worked for so desirablo a consummation.;, ;Wjj. would* how gladly see : Mr : StucheyPresident, because we believe that thepolicy which ho advocates-is the'rlght' one in Clio interests of the Wairarapa and also of Maßterloii. There are' some local enthusiasts who are wont>to put.Mastertcn first and the Wairarapa second,- in their aspiratiohsv.ybut the best and the ■truest./friends'} of the tdwhj- are thoso'who recognise that ■ its wealth, its progress, 'and its:.' development depends upon the district in which it is situated, and of which it is the chief centre. When Mastjarton separates itself in any way from ; . the interests of any part of the Wairarapa it commits a folly, and,. when' in 'uny way it draws closer the tics that unite it with the most insigniticaut outlying settlement within its borders, it does a : stroke of business, which is decidedly profitable. We should bo sorry to see ; members of the Mastertou Agricultural" and Pastoral Association go ■■' a step further in.the line we have indicated than is consistent with the credit and advantago of the' town,'but let them bear in mind that Maaterton is the principal centre of population not only of tlio North County, but of the great Wairarapa district, extending from Pallhwr Bay to. the Manawatu River,