The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1889.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2614, 13 April 1889, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1889.

We pointed out on a former occasion the desirability of establishing an Agricultural and Pastoral Association in Waikato, and the holding of an annual show under its auspices. A reference was made in our last issue to a high compliment paid to the superior quality of Mr C. J. Storey's stud stock by a visitor from Napier. So unfamiliar arc our own settlers with (In; capabilities of their district that even this circumstance would lie known to barely half-a-dozen amongst them. It is quite certain that no one in any other part of the colony was aware of the fact that the Waikato is an excellent source from which to obtain fresh draughts of breeding sheep. This alone should be sullii'ieut to demonstrate the advisability of providing annual pastoral shows in tin's district, and thus bring it into the prominence it deserves. The farmers cannot fail to recognise the force of this argument. The Waikato possesses all the elements required for success-

fully currying out such an organisation as w*s advocate. As was remarked before, lliere existed, during the lifetime of tho Cambridge .Fanners' Association, a keen rivalry between two well-known breeders whose stud cattle and sheep carried everything before them at the shows theu'hekl by that body, and the exhibition eventually resolved itself into a competitive duel between those two gentlemen. No others had any ehaiice against them, and, therefore, general interest in the society died out. This result, however, was quite, unique, and now that several yeirs' progress has been added to the district since that time, the recurrence of a similar spectacle is nob possible. Siieepfaruiing lias become more general, and is on a much increased

scale. Settlers are more prone to rea'ise the excellent means, an annual show would prove for bringing the Waikato into more enviable notoriety as a grazing and breeding country. There should be no lack of good entries even if the local exhibitors felt, convinced they would be behind the stock that might be shown against them from outside places. It needs only that a small beginning be made to snt the movement going and inspire the whole farming community to take general and concerted action. Our leading settlers ought to accept it as their particular duty to take the initiative in the matter. If two or three of them, representing each district of the four counties, were to meet together to discuss the question, there is no doubt excellent practical results would ensue. This fact must always be kept steadily in view, that spirited and combined action on the part of the whole community would be required to create a strong Association and establish periodical shows worthy of the agricultural and pastoral interests of the Waikato and Piako valleys. Perhaps a suggestion from us will be acceptable, and may carry some weight with it amongst those who are favourably inclined towards the scheme. If the auctioneers, who are, probably, more closely allied to the subject than any others, were to convene a meeting of farmers to take the matter into consideration, tin? desired effect of bringing the movement into active being would be obtained. An executive committee could then be formed to canvass the various districts for support, and they could enter into correspondence with some of the splendid pastoral societies flourishing in the South for information, rules and plan of action. Most assuredly the time has arrived for the Waikato to display more vigour, and msike an effort to place itself on as equal terms as possible with other kindred district in the colony. Every available channel which modern civilization and ingenuity have devised should be availed of to advertise the capacities, resources and capabilities of these parts. Therein lies the key to success. The people of the Waikato generally must awake from the indifferentism of the past, and learn to measure their own strength, which can only be done by mutual understanding and combined action for the protection of their most vital interests.

Tin: decided action taken by Colonel Shepherd in refusing to alter the arrangements in connection with the approaching Easter encampment at Hamilton, in order that a military display might be marie on the occasion of the landing of the Governor in Auckland, has, according to a telegram forwarded by Mr Hobbs, M.H.R., to the Government, cmsed a feeling of aggravation to the citizens of that town. The Auckland Star, in a spirit of viudictiveness, goes the length of urging a breach of discipline, and recommends volunteers to absent themselves from the camp, in order that it may result in a fiasco. Wr are surprised that our contemporary should have so far forgotten itself as to endeavour to weaken, the discipline of the Auckland volunteers, and such action is, to say the least, most injudicious. Colonel Shepherd has throughout this controversy behaved in a soldierlike manner, in a way that becomes him as an oilicer who knows his duty, and as n gentleman. He h-is stated that a guaid of honour of proper strength shall be provided for the oceasssion, and that the usual viue-regal salute will be fired from one of the forts. More thau this cannot reasonably be expected under the circumstances, and, if what we have read of Lord Onslow's character is correct, the less ostentation that is made at his reception the more highly gratified he will be. The training the volunteers will get by their stay iu camp will be infinitely more to their advantage than trotting about paying au empty compliment to a gentleman, who, we are sure, would be sorry to learn that they had been deprived of that training solely on his account. We are also convinced of this fact, that His Excellency would be the first to disapprove of the tone adopted by our contemporary and its endeavour to incite the Auckland volunteers to treat their Commanding Olh'cer with contempt, and thus be guilty of a gross breach of discipline. If the Tolunteers are to be classed as soldiers, and not mere toys, they must know the first duty of a soldier is to obey. Be an order abitrary or not arbitrary, obedience is the soldier's first law. Can those who are writing with such childish petulance about the soldierly firmness displayed by Colonel Shepherd have forgotten the Englishman's proud boast of the conduct of the Light Brigade ? Thcir's not to reason why Tlieir's but to do and die. The silly interference of Mr Hobbs in a matter entirely outside his province is very womanish and characteristic of that amiable politician ; it needs no further comment. So long as a guard of honour of proper strength is provided, it will be accepted by His Excellency as a complete compliment, both in will and deed. It would, assuredly, be an unhsard of thing in military usages to turn out an entire army, to use the Star's facetiousness, to form a guard of honour. The army will be duly represented, and the citizens of Auckland can show their loyalty by welcoming the Governor by being present in their thousands. In the event of a Russian invasion would the Star advise the troops to choose between their sense of safety as citizens by Hoeing from the uity and their duty as soldiers by obeying their officers and meeting the enemy ? Ah a question of discipline the parallel would he identical.