The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1874-04-14 00:00:00

Akah-

politics, sad was perfeddy unprepared to dilate on public
questions. He was still in pretty much the same posi-
tion, and he hoped it might be his good luck to remain
for the most part what might be called a ilent member ;
for he was sure from the exparience he had already gained
in the House of Counnons, that there were a great num-
ber of people who got up in that as.crobly and Milted
merely for the sake of talking —(laughtef)...and that if
they talked only about half as much, or if only one spoke
wore is dozen do now, the House would get through •
great deal more business and Lotter advance the welfare
of the country generally—these. hear). Ile should have
liked to have said • few words ou the great questiou now
before the public, that of the agricultural labourers, but
he did not think there was any point left untouched in
the exhausti,e speech of the county member. He would
siniply say he trusted that if any sperLal difficulty arose
in Dorset not olds this club but all ‘dhers in the county
would meet frequently to consider the matter and try to
devise scene scheme to avoid a 10.-k-out—thew, head.
lie trusted every endeavour would be made to keep on
their old labourer' 4 Ille3 4 411 e of when had been on one
farm all their lifetime and their fathers and grandfathers
before them. That would be much better than sending
them off to distant colonies—(applause). Ile would only
reention one other matter. Ile hoped that in a few weeks
they would be in possession of a well-devise.' scheme of
Local Taxation by Sir May Lopes. Of the provisions
of such • measure it was premature to speak till they had
the Government proposals before them, but lie believed
they would be generally satisfisctory--thear, hear). He
begge.t again to thank them for their kind reception of
the toast of his healtis—taPPlausa

,
Mr. HOMER proprel "the Mayor and Corporation of
Dorchester," thanking them for the improved accommo-
dation they had provi(led for farmers (luring the lad few
years, p &intim to the growing importance of the town as
a (-entre for agricultural business, awl huising that the
authorities wutild still go on improving, and thus benefit
theiuselves and consult the public convenience—
(applau-e).
Ihe Ks ma (Mr. It. J. (;. Gregor"). said he attended the
annual gathering last year. and bail great pleasure in
redeuding on the precut occasion. Dorchester was the
centre of a great farming district The Corporation were
fully aware of the importance of the agricultural interest,
awl recognised the fact that on its success depended in a
I great numffire the prosperity of the town. It was the
I desire of the Corporation to provide at far as possible for
the wants of the (igrieulturista and others who attend the
fairs and markets, and be was pleased to find from Mr.
Homer's remarks that Dorchester was considered to have
been Unproved in that respect There was a very rens-
'ructions Corn Exchange, and what will now required w.ia
a good Fair held. Snell provision had been contemplated
for rouse years, and he was happy to say steps had been
taken to secure • piece of ground, and that the necessary
preliminaries were nearly completed, so that he hoped
before his year of odic° had expired that the scheme
would he fairly set on foot, and that before the next
annual meeting of the Club they would be ilk poessasion of
one of the best fair belts in the West of England. It
would then be necessary to lay down certain rules and
regulations. At the pre-sent time there was a great out-
cry respecting the management of the markets, for the
anctioneen seemed to monowlise the whole of the time,
and ye spie were running about here and there to finul their
customers. He thought it would he noceesary to have a
regulation that the cattle market should close at a certain
hunr—tapplausel—and the corn market then commence,
lie hoped that would give satisfaction to all parties, mid
that it would tend to make the Dorchester markets the
best in the whole district—(apPlaulc).
The Cwalawas next gave the toast of "Neighbouring
Farmers' Clubs," speaking of them as institutions of great
value. With it he coupled the name of Mr. Damen, of
Dorchester.
Mr. It. DAMEN returned thanks for the unexpected
compliment, lie had so long been identified with the
Dorchester Fanners' Club that he thought he had almost
lust his connection with the °tiler clubs of the county.
.Ilowever he had much pleasure in thanking them, and in
meeting so numerous a cowpony on the present occasion.
These are important times in an agricultural pont of view,
and amociations of this character should be exerting
their influence. Current polities bristled with agricultural
topics, and some of them had been very ably alluded to
by Mr. Floyer. The Landlord and Tenant Bill and
the lowlien of the Genie lams were important
suhjecta. He could not exactly go full length
with kfr. kloyer on the latter question neither (lid he
.re with those who would abolish the Game laws
..tseogether. lie believed that at all events in this taut of
the country there was no tenant wished them entirely
repealed, but if, as Mr. Floyer said, they could be
improved and amended, he thought that very essential.
There were cases where he knew they had borne hardly
on the tenant farmer ;and he believed an easy remedy
would le provided, without Interfering with present
enactiuente as Game Laws, if renting farmers and occu-
piers of land were given a common rights., regards ground
game with their landlords notwithstanding any agree-
ment to the contrary—(applause). He believed that
would cure all the evils now suffered iri that respect, mod
there would be to difficulty about it. The landlord might
debar the tenant from killing winged game, but he
thought he would have no reason to complain at the
occupier wiffiing to have an equal right with him as to
the ground game—(bear, hem), lie ventured to say that
as a rule every tenant was pleased to see sufficient game
of all kinds on their farms for fair sport, but lie could
not be expected to regard with complacency the destruc-
tion of his property ; and he maintained the fanner was
entitled tole protected from having his crops destrovni
—(applause), Several other important subjects were
mooted, and he slid hope that now agricultural questions
would not he ignored, as they had been for years Put-
It was said the country party were now having their
"innings," and he hoped justice would now be done
them. For • long time questions affecting farmers had
been disregarded, and the mention of distressed agri-
culturists in the house of Commons only provoked
derisive Laughter. But • change tied been gradually
coining about, awl the majority of 100 in favour of the
motion brought forward by Sir Massey Loped, crummiest of
all parties in Parliament indicated there was a strong feel-
ing that the necessities ot the case demanded some &mewl(
mew, What the agriculturists required we...to bee all
(lasses of property bear their fair burden of taxation land
lie Irelieval that by keeporg the subject before the public
it would ultimately be effected --(Sitar, hear). On another
siabjert he ;Lel felt much interest fir many years the
Malt Tax. Soule years nee Mr. Disraeli propo-el
half shoulut be taken if;o but it was not (lone became he
was not supported by them—the country gentlemen ;hi
had not emollient supporters lit the Boum. But now it
seas altogether altered; with the Premier's present largo
majority there was no reason why the question shoohl le
shelved any Linger. It wax essential the subject
should not be lout sight of, and he reecornewle.l thew to
keep it belie the public. If they did their duty
thins was now a Isetter chance of the tax being
considered them for the last 1U or al years
--(applause.) The lab sur question Im(1 been well treated
by Mr. Floyer. Ile (Mr. Damen) did oust see tlie least
likelihood of a necessity for having to resort to anything
like the ongurisations formed iii -owe other parts of the
country, fur he believed the matter was settling down
here. awl would sli if irritation were avoided as lunch as
p0,d1,10. By goo (ruling OU tile part of the masters and
good sense th,e 1.,0p10 any difference* could le
re tilted withoot resortiug to a (.7 ll ~ U. The hien hilt
been btiMe4.l for combining together, yet fanners in some
parts were doing the I.aine. Don't let them follow such
an eXillpple, but do their duty by their Men, unit lie
toellete.l that in a short time they woulul reeipnc.ate the
coissolereti awl (Ls their duty by tiolo—(apph,,,.)
The Cut wpm propned the health of the sucsossful
competitors. Ist, Mr. Kent, Dewlish ; 2nd, Mr. Chick,
Stgatt,D. .

-11;:k.iNT reepontiol.
The 11111,1 gave "Succese to the town and trade of
Don•heAter.
_.. . . .

replied to the toast in an able speech,
pointing out the advantages of Dorchester an an wiricul-
tura! centre awl the town improvement* effected here of
late years.
The Commies mentioned with satisfaction that pro-
fessional men and others than fanners are members of
the Club, and proposed the health of thine gentlemen,
coupled with that of Mr. Boward, of Weymouth.
Mr. llowtan replied with a smart joeooo speech,
remarking on the valuable common sense displayed
at the Club meetings, the way the labour question arty
affect the landlords* rent, the 'Nei for the country gentle.
teen to support the country fanner, awl on other pointa,
but excusing himself from a long speech on the ground
that he rather approved the notion of • tax on lung
sermons anti long ape-rhea
Mr. FLUVER proposed the health of the President, and,
retuarking on Mr. (lunge's reelection, said he believed
there was no man more likely to do such good service to
the Club. Ile was one of those who in an especial degree
are exerting themselves to fill the important station they
occupy, awl who make the yeomen stiU the backbone of
this country - (applause )
Mr. Wong acknowledged the compliment, thanked
the officers of the Club and the members generally for
their p.ost suppiwt, and expressel his nose of the honour
done him by being supported by two members of Parlia-
ment his adverted to the great benefit, conferred on
the labouring class by the Dorset County Friendly
Socioty. and suggested the Club should consider the
subject next session with a view to enlarging its epees-
Lions. In conclusion he preposed the health of the Vice.
President-(applause.)
Mr. O. W. Llows:a replied, and said it was a question
for them as • Club whether they did really represent the
cause of agricultural progress. If so they were to he
found in what was tienerving of every encouragement,
because agriculture although small in comparison with
manufactures was the oldest occupation amid will outlast
every other industry. Although the Club might not
have the support it ought to have, still it consisted of •
large number of members, there had been good attend-
ances during the past session, and the member, while
seeking to benefit agriculture were not unmindful of the
entuusiuunity at large --(hear. hear). The Club was far
different from those Unions which seek to benefit their
members only even at the risk of great loss to other
clones, and sometimes the ruinof great national industries.
It had always been a question among them whether they
should make their discussions public or private. The
subjects taken might be dirided into two clones, lot, the
practical, and find the political. Of the former it would
have been a public Iretii if the paper, during the last
session i.f Professor Buckman, Mr. Chick of Stratton, and
others had been only made useful to the members of the
Club. With regard to the political questions he had the
honour of introducing a subjest to their notice, and one
of the greatest compliments paid him was its adverse
criticiwn in • scurrilous paper (eA4 ganosiso).
The great question at the present time was Local Taxa-
tion. Ile had no doubt it was now about to receive the
earnest attention of the Governments and he thought it
would be their (the farmers) faults if the subject Wee not
kept in agitation tall it was finally settled to their sat'.
faction as agriculturist'. The great princible of their
claims was most tersely put the other day by Mr. Disraeli
in his openining sentence when replying to • deputatiou
of which he was a member that lately waited on him.
Mr. Disraeli said-"Gentleinen,The system of raising taxes
for general purposes from one particular description of
property involves as great a violation of justice as can
well be conceived." That was the heart and soul of their
complaint. Mr. Disraeli expressed himself much more
strongly and much more to the point than, he believed,
any inemiset of the deputation. Public justice, public
peace, edtwation, and public conveniences of all kinds
must be paid for by those for whose benefit they have
become great national institutions of the country, and
with Mr. Disraeli in office, with our friend Hr. Moyer
representing the county, and with the honourtble
member for Pud—(laughter)--he meant Dorchester
supporting hint, he had little doubt that two years would
not pass without sorue of these great questions would
Isis( advanced towards settlement in the direction for
whicti they bad been so long asking-iaPPlauseb
Mr. IC g%t proposed the health "of the judges," and Mr.
eireeniin Set:NW:kg replied.
The Cumulus gave the health of Mr. Fowler, leaking
locution of his unwearied and eminent seniees on behalf
of agriculturiete -(applause).
Mr. Isiwurat said it gave him very great pleasure to
attend this meeting. but it Wen noire than he could
possibly have expected that they should have taken Au
much notice of hint ae they hail done. Ile could net do
len than come, wet as it was, tosuppurt their good Chair-
man, frr he was ahvays ready and willing ria assist in
forwarding all measures of this and kindred societies. He
(Mr. Fowler) had been a member of the Blandforil
icemen,. Club from its formation-whether it was older
or younger than the Winfrith dub he could not say, but
it we, very oliL-(Mr. Damon: " A little younger I
',Neve.") But that Club, he would remind them, franked
the rules which had leen the basis of many a gotsl agree.
ment between landlords and tenants, and if they hail been
generally adopted its the county, and were mottle the
custom, he beheied they would have lade— reason to wish
for the Landlord and Truant 11111-(hear, heart lie
believed those rules hiel been adopted by Mr. Floy,.e.
.103 so ;be (Mr. Fowler) would
Swtitlrwt,,eariattl,,irenanmyt
itLithvainrgs, and that Hwy had eo
reeornmend those younger men, who had lately nails: into
their property, to look into those rules and apply them as
reearifs their own tenants. lie it ould also remind them
that the Blandford Club was the first to introduce the
system of analysing the manures seld in our markets,
Ile well remembered that when their first analytts was
published, the then Secretary (Mr. Atkinson) was