The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 66
The Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting.
The Rev. Mr. Lichtenstein said that he would move—"That the next Annual Meeting be held in the first week in February." He regretted to see so small an attendance present at every Annual Meeting. It seemed as if the outside public did not take so much interest in the Society as they should do; but if the Annual Meetings were held at a more seasonable time, he thought the attendance would be larger and a greater interest would be taken in the Society Perhaps the meetings would also be better attended if they were held in the afternoon, before business people went home to their dinners.
Mr. E. C. Quick, in seconding the motion, said he certainly thought this was a bad season to hold the Annual Meetings. It was an indisputable fact that every year the attendance had been smaller and smaller. He believed that there was only one Member of the Society I present that night besides the Officers of the Society. There seemed to be the greatest apathy in the world on the part of many with regard to the interests of the Society. He did not know whether the Officers of the Society were to blame. He thought that it was just possible if the Meetings were held at a different time there would be a larger attendance than at present. He was sorry to see the number of Members of the Society was falling off and the income was falling off. He thought I the Committee had been very economical. A good deal had been done in getting school children to join the Society, but there were not sufficient means to do so much as might be done. If by any means they could gain the interest of the public more it would certainly be I a very desirable thing.
Mr. G. Fenwick said he thoroughly endorsed the remarks which had been made in support of the motion brought forward by the Rev. Mr. Lichtenstein. He must confess that it was disheartening in the extreme to the Committee, who took a warm interest in the Society, to find that on an occasion of this kind—an Annual Meeting—the membership of the Society was, outside of the Committee, represented by only one or two. Hut he had no doubt that in a great measure the meagre attendance could be attributed to the weather. He supposed that they could alter the rules so as to change the date of the Annual Meetings, and felt sure that if it were done they would have a far better attendance at their future Annual Meetings. He could scarcely think that the reason advanced by Mr. Quick—want of confidence in the Officers appointed—was a moving cause of the lack of interest in the Society by Members as manifested by the small attendance. He had attended the Committee meetings pretty regularly; and Mr. Quick, who was one of the prime movers in the establishment of the Society, was, he considered, deserving of the highest praise for the energetic performance of his duties as Hon. Secretary, he did not think they could advantageously replace Mr. Quick in that office by any person with whom he was acquainted. The lack of interest apparently shown by the small attendance might be due to Members of the Society having full confidence in the Officers, recognising the good work being done, but having a mistaken impression that the objects of the Society were accomplished. The first object was to encourage the sentiment which would lead to the abolition of cruelty to animals on the streets and elsewhere, and the second object was to inflict punishment upon persons who were guilty of cruelty. With regard to the first object, the lack of funds had been so manifest that they had not been able to do anything at all; the Home Society expended large sums of money in the dissemination of handbills and tracts, but this Society had not been in a position to spend anything as yet in that manner, though that was one of its principal objects. Until they obtained more funds so as to enable them to circulate appeals on behalf of animals, that object would not be accomplished. If the Rev. Mr. Lichtenstein's motion were carried it would lead to the Annual Meetings being more largely attended, and probably more enthusiasm would be aroused in the Society's objects.
Mr. Murray supported the motion, and referred to the fact that out of a membership of 208 they had surely a right to expect that a tithe of that number would attend the Annual Meeting.
Mr. Clifford also supported the motion. Mr. Quick seemed to attribute the small attendance to want of confidence in the Officers, but he thought the reverse was the case.
The Chairman cordially agreed with the motion. What was wanted at these Annual Meetings was a little more enthusiasm, if possible. He thought that if the Meetings were held in summer it might lead to more interest being taken in the Society.
The motion was then put to the Meeting and carried.