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THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 



[August i, 1882. 



BUCceiJed so eminently in doing? He sincerely 

 hoped that all natives, of all classes, would unite 

 in making that iuslitutiun a success. (Hear, 

 hear.) The cultivation and sale of those firoducts, 

 viz., of coconut, coSee, ciunumou and the new products 

 which had come into existence were — it passed with 

 out saying — of vital importance to the people of this 

 island. The natives had now to complete witli the 

 trained intelligence and ability of Europeans. Every 

 year whicLi passed made the competition more 

 keen, and unless they moved and asserted themselves they 

 would go more and more to the wall. An A-sociatiou 

 of the kind now proposed would be vci-y useful 

 in many respects. He would like to point out to 

 them the various benefits which it would confer. 

 In the first place, by means of such an Association 

 useful knowledge might be diffused regarding the 

 nature o! soils, the influence of chmate upon the 

 produce raised on them, the easiest and most paying 

 and practical methods of cultivation, the implements, 

 machinery and manures to be used, &c. When ouce 

 a common ground had been established for the pur- 

 pose of meeting and discussing questions connected 

 with these operations, it was easy to get and 

 disseminate information. Then there were other 

 objects with which that Association might be able 

 to deal. When once produce has been raised 

 it must be sold. As regards sales, it might consider 

 the best methods of selling the produce in the best 

 markets. It might also communicate with the Govern- 

 ment on matters of transport, taxation, &o. Un- 

 doubtedly their united representation would carry 

 far more weight with the Government than the 

 representation of any one man. There was another 

 object which was of equal importance witlr the 

 other objects already mentioned. The establish- 

 ment of that Association would lead the Govern- 

 ment to confer with tlie natives as a body on agricul- 

 tural and othtr questions. They knew the impurtance 

 of the Planters' Association now in existence ; its privi- 

 leges and powers were so thoroughly nppreciated liy the 

 Government that the Governor willingly asks the 

 Planters' Association to nominate one of its mem- 

 bers to represent their inttrest in the Legislative 

 Council. For a number of years it had been the 

 custom for Governors to appoint the gentleman nomin- 

 ated by the Planters' Association. Xhey would thus 

 see how gradually an instiiution might be worked into 

 power so as to make itself felt by even Government. 

 He therefore thought that an institution of a similar 

 kind would prove of tlie utmost benefit to the agri- 

 cultural euterprize of this colony. All that, as he had 

 already said, was achieved onl}' by union. They must 

 have the force of example and the Bjmpathy of num- 

 bers : without it nolhiug could be done ; and he would 

 appeal to all classes of gentlemen of whatever class 

 or creed to lay aside iheir prejudices and unite toge- 

 ther and make that institution a success. He had 

 ttierefore much pleasure in moving : — 



That this meeting considers it desirable that an Associ- 

 ation should be established to promote the interests of those 

 engaged in the cultivation and sale of Ceylon produce. 



Mr. D. M. AitESiiCULLEKATNE (Proctor), seconded. 

 The resolution was put and can led unanimously. 



Mr. Advocate Dhakmabatne, in a rather long 

 speech, considered the idea of a native Association, such 

 as that proposed, an excellent idea. He was very 

 glad such a movement had been started, as it had been 

 his misfortune both here and in Europe to hear so 

 much about native apathy that it was indeed 

 a source of grief to him. But here he saw the 

 tnilight that would dispel the obloquy which had 

 been thrown upon natives. The idea should have 

 originated 25 years ago. lie then referred to the bless- 

 ings of English rule, and said the natives had bee 

 bIvw to take advantage of the opportunities offered b 



close contact with educated Europeans. They had 

 been content with their jak nnd coconut and never 

 thought of moving out of the island. Among the 

 Sinhalese and Tamils the idea of leaving the island 

 was dreaded. Such being the case, the obloquy was 

 deserved. He wag especially gratified to hear that 

 the natives were to take fretli steps with regard to the 

 sale of their produce. He then gave some hints as 

 to a scheme for establishing branches of their new 

 Association in London, Paris nnd Berlin, which 

 would diepose of produce forwarded by the Associ- 

 ation. " What an amount of profit the Association 

 would derive from the sale of coffee, cinnamon, and 

 other products in Loudon, Berlin and Paris." Those 

 branches, in the hands of natives, could undertake to 

 supply all that the natives required to be sent from 

 Europe. Wines for instance. What a boon it would 

 be to get their poit wine, for instance, at half 

 price ; wine was bought at Paris now and shipped to 

 London and then sent here. Why not buy it at 

 Paris themselves, and ship it here direct from 

 Marseilles ? The natives were indebted to the 

 European planter for much of their knowledge. But 

 the European planter had fallen, or partly so. That 

 being the case, it was commousense that the natives 

 should do their best to find other sources of income. 

 For instances there was ebony. Why should not they 

 make a lot of furuinlure and sell it in America, 

 London and Pans ? He urged then to lose no time 

 in organizing the Association. He moved : — 



That the following rules be adopted by this meeting 

 as the rules of this Association, viz : — 



KtjLEs AND Constitution of the Ceylon AGEictJLTCEAL 

 Association. 



I. That this Association be called " the Ceylon Agri- 

 cultural Association." 



II. That a suitable office be secured in the Fort of 

 Colombo where the meetings of this Association shaU be 

 held. 



III. That a Chairman for each year be elected. 



IV. That a Secretary be appointed armually whose salary 

 may be hereafter determined by the Committee. 



V. That every person who is the owner of, either in his 

 owu right or as lessee, agent, superintendent or tenant, 

 property in cultivation of the extent of 20 acres and up- . 

 wards, shall be entitled to be elected a member. 



VI. That each member do pay an annual subscription of 

 ten rupees in advance. 



VII. That a Committee be appointed (of -whoTafive shall 

 form a quorum) such Committee to be appointed yearly. 



VIII. That the meetings of the Committee shall be 

 convened by the Secretary with the Chairman's sanction or 

 that of three members of the Committee. 



IX. That a general meeting may be convened by the 

 Committee or five of its members, or ten members of the 

 As.sociation, on ten days' notice being given, and the business 

 to be brought forward shall be stated in such notice. 



X. That the annual general meeting of this Association 

 be held on the 1st of July of each year, on which day the 

 Chairman, Secretary and Committee shall be appointed. 



51. That any member wi.shiug to bring forward a motion 

 or subject for discussion at any general meeting shall give 

 ten days' notice of liis intention to the Secretary. 



XII. That every member possessed of more than 20 acres 

 is entitled to give more than one vote, and the votes are to 

 be regulated accorchng to the cidtivated acreage belonging 

 to each member. 



Mr. Jacob de Mel seconded, and the resolution was 

 carried unanimously. 



Ml-. JouN de Silva Mutlaliyar proposed, and Mr. C. 

 W. Feruinands Proctor feconded : — 



That those present at this meeting and qualified in terms 

 of the fifth ride be considered as original members of the 

 Association on their signing their names to the list now 

 lying on the table. 



This was adopted neni. con. 



Mr. Bkito briefly proposed :— 



That 0. H. de Soyza, Esq., be appointed the Chairman 



