Wairarapa Daily Times. [Estabilished 1874.] THURSDAY, NOVEMBER. 1895. FARMERS' CLUBS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5176, 7 November 1895, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times. [Estabilished 1874.] THURSDAY, NOVEMBER. 1895. FARMERS' CLUBS.

A sraiKsnox has been made that it is desirable to form a Farmers' Club in Masterton, and that such Club should have its habitation in some cuiivenient hotel. A short timo ago an effort was made to organise, a, Club of this description, but it fell through on account of it divergence of views on the liquor question. Some farmers take a little alcoholic refreshment, and would require facilities for obtaining such at any Club t hat might be constituted, but on the i other hand other farmers are total abstainers, and would not euro to join if meetings were held at a public house, or even if there were any danger of a Club being turned into a drinking shop. It is quite evident (hat to form a strong Farmers' Club in this centre, the support of both sect ions is indispensable.and the problem to bo solved is to establish some common ground on which both could meet. A farmers' Club need bo neither a drinkingsliop nor a temperranco palace; at the same time we do not se'e why members who require a glass of beer could notgetit in much the same way that other members might obtain a cup of coffee or ten, but on each Side there would have to bo a respect for the opinions and prejudices of the other. A weak Favmers'Olubisveryuiidesirablo.fot' we have already bad too many of this kind in the town, About the year 1870 one ps started with a fair measuro of success, but somehow or other the farmers rarely came near it, and it was to all practical purpose a Town Club for town residents. Later on another Farmers' Club was started which carried on a languid existence for a while and then dissolved by spontaneous absencos, possibly with a view to avoid certain small dobts which it bad contracted. Tho fanners on this occasion did not do justice to themselves, and it would be far better for them never to formally associate themselves together, than to repeat this experience. However, the lime must sooner or later arrive, when a strong Club will be essential to the comfort as well its to the business of the funning community, and this Club niust bo arranged on such broad lines, |jinjt' it will be nccoptablo not Only jo the moderate drinker, but also, to the conscientious absfainer.