MASTERTON A. AND P. SOCIETY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3933, 8 October 1891, Page 2

MASTERTON A. AND P. SOCIETY.

The Amalgamation Question.

A special general meeting of th 9 Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held in the Club Hotel yesterday afternoon, the chair being occupied by the President (Mr A. W. Cave). About twenty members were present. The minutes of the previous meet - ing having been read and confirmed, the Secretary read a telegram from Mr G. Beetham, apologising for being absent, but stating that he hoped both the Wairarapa and Masterton Associations would drop minor objections and amalgamate.

The Wairarapa and East Const Society wrote, stating that a Committee of that Society had been appointed to meet a Committee of the Masterton Association regarding the question of amalgamation, and asking when it would be convenient for the two to meet.

Mr W. Lowes suggested the appointing of a Committee of four.

The President said he understood the Committee previously appointed were to discuss only the question of a ram fair.

Mr Lowes said they might add a couple of names to the present Committee to deal with the question of both ram fair and shows.

Mr J. M'Gregor thought the Committee should be re-organised. Mr Guild said there appeared to be one course only open to the Masterton Committee, and that was to adopt the suggestion to hold the show in Carterton and the ram fair in Masterton. Were they, he asked, prepared to accept tlia course laid down by the Carterton Society ? Mr E. Meredith maintained that the whole proceedings were out of order. They had passed a resolution that the question of amalgamating shows should not be dissassed till after the Masterton Show. 'Mr Lowes: I believe that is so.

Mr Meredith said he could not help thinking that the coarse adopted by the Carterton Society was one to be deprecated. Hitherto Messrs Lowes and lorns had received very little in return for the valuable services they bad rendered. But now the most prominent and valuable member of ',he Masterton Association, Mr W. Lowes, was being tempted to abandon the show in fa/our of the ram fair, as this would put a good deal more into bis pocket. He did not consider such a temptation creditable to the Carterterton Society. Any overtures regarding the show should be made on the part of the Carterton Society, and not.by Masterton. Mr Lowes repudiated the insinuation that he had been a party to a bribe. He pointed out that it was to his advantage to maintain the shows in preference to the ram fairs, as, if there was only one ram fair, outside competition would arise. He referred to the statements he Had made at Carterton, and said he was quite in favour of amalgamating the' two shows, on conditions that it could be honourably done. He did not think the position taken up by the Wairarapa Society was a fair one. It was like trying a man after a verdict had been given. The dictum of the Wairarapa Society appeared to be the holding of the shows at Clareville and the ram fairs at Masterton. It was for the Masterton Society to consider whether the suggestion was a fair one. He pointed out that whilst the majority of the settlers in the district were in favour of holding the show, the lion's share of the work fell on one or two. He happened to be one of thosu upon whom the responsibility fell. He did not, think this at all fair. He considered the special prize list of the Masterton Association an excellent one, and he urged that as they were really in opposition to the Wairarapa Society they should fight desperately in their own interests. He felt sure if they did this the Masterton Society would be made one of the strongest in the colony. He maintained that if the Masterton A ssociation had not been formed the Wairarapa Society would be nonexistent. (A voice : For why ?) It would have collapsed through inanU tion. The Masterton Society was first in existence, but the Wairarapa people suggested a central show. This was conceded, and the show was held at Tauherenikau. It was afterwards decided at a public meeting at which two Masterton representatives only were present, to hold the shows at Carterton. The Masterton district bad flourished, and they had wisely resolved to form a society of their own. He wished to point out that in no respect had his opinions about the shows been altered. He was in favour of amalgamation, but only on terms whioh would be honourable to the Masterton Sopiety. In conclusion he said there was nothing to preclude the meeting from considering the question of amalgamation. Mr Meredith maintained that the 1 question should not be discussed 1 within a few weeks of their shows. Mr J. M'Gregor could not see how the exhibition at Masterton could be prejudiced by the discussion of the question before the holding cf the show. 1

Mr Meredith: Well, it is aforegone conclusion on the part of the Wairarapa Society that amalgamation shall be brought about. .The question should be discussed dispassionately. Mr M'Gregor contended the Carterton people had as much grounds for saying that the decision of the Masterton Society was a foregone conclusion as for the Masterton Society to conclude that the Carterton decision was such.

Mr J. Hessey did not agree with Mr M'Gregor, Mr Buchanan had said distinctly that the show was to be held ntar Carterton and the ram fair near Masterton. Mr Lowes agreed with Mr Hessey. 1 If, however, the suggestion made by the Wairarapa Daily that offers for a suitable site be called for and theftest chosen by outside arbitrators, it would be a fair thingMr Elkins thought, as one qf the organisers of the Masterton Society, that they should not make overtures to the Carterton people. Mr Guild was of opinion that tb/a Carterton Society was quite justified in taking the steps it ba<l- T bey were a strong gocfety and b&ji a •strong Committee, and were justified 1 tad done, that was, in wbau In

from their own point. .. considering the basis of the amalgamation tbey had to consider what proportion of the Masterton Society would amalgamate with Carterton. He did not think it would be very great, as a large number were not agriculturists. The proposals of the Carterton Society could not be accepted, as they were one sided. He did not think the Masterton Society should cease to exist. He would like to see the Societies amalgamated, but only on honourable grounds. They had £3OO ta the good, and if they

chose they could invest) this amount and drop the show for a year or two. He considered this would be more honourable than amalgamating on the basis laid down by the Carterton Society. The President said it appeared to him that the Carterton people were against the holding of one ram lair unless the shows were amalgamated. The Masterton district was develops ing in the Forty-Mile Bash ancl W angaehu, and he thought if thejl went along quietly they would yetl become the Society of the district,! and would attract exhibitors from every part. Mr Meredith endorsed the remarks of the President. He believed that the Masterton Society would go forward rapidly, and in a few years would gain the ascendancy. The President remarked that last year Messrs Levin & Co. gave the' Carterton Society £5, whilst they gave Masterton £2 2s only. He had pointed out to this firm that such a | thing was placing the Masterton Society at a disadvantage.

Mr Guild moved, that this Sooiety regrets that the fixing of the site of the amalgamated show by the Wairarapa and East Coast Pastoral and Agricultural Society in their overture towards amalgamation prevents this Sooiety from taking any steps in furtherance of the objects of amalgamation. If the question of site were open to independent arbitrators, thii Society would be pleased to take action. This Society is still open to discuss tbe amalgamation of ram fairs with a view to holding one ram fair only. MrE. Meredith seconded.

Mr McGregor: If this motion it carried from whom will the overture! regarding ram fairs come ? Mr Guild : From Carterton. Mr William Perry'did not agre< with the resolution. He thought i Committee should be Appointed ti meet the Committee of the Wairarapi Society and discuss the question o amalgamation without power to aot He would move accordingly. Mr Hessey said the Cartertoi Society were determined that th shows should be held at Carterton A Committee would therefore do no

good. Mr Ferry replied that Mr Buchanan was not the whole of the Carterton Society. Mr Guild: The resolution was passed by the Society. Are we to hand over our funds and membership to the Carterton Sooiety on the basis they suggest ? A voice: No.

Mr Alpass, of Alfredton, thought the shows of the Society should be held in the autumn. This would bring out the fat cattle and give the small farmers an opportunity of exhibiting. He would like to see an amalgamation of ram fairs. Mr W. Ferry then withdrew hiß amendment.

The resolution proposed by Mr Guild wa9 put and carried unanimously. The appointing of stewards was then proceeded with.