NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2490, 4 December 1901, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

OTAGO PROVINCIAL BRANCH

The first meeting of the executive of the Otago Provincial Branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held in the Agricultural Hall Buildings on Thursday. There were present Messrs R. Craig (Wai tahuna, president). Jas. Ross (Palmerston), H. Buckiland (Waikouaiti), J. W. Blair (Outram), J. Findlay (Balclutha), J. Tough (Milton), J. Scott (Maniofcoto), W. Biackie (Taieri). J Fraser (Lawrence), D. Reid (Milton, hon. treasurer), and A. Campbell (secretary). There were also 23 members present, but they took no part in the discussions.

The Chairman, in his opening remarks, said he was very pleased to see such a good attendance of both the executive and the members. The executive had not much to lay before the meeting since the conference at Milton. As they remembered, a committee was set UJ) to interview the Chamber of Commerce re the sale of wheat. That committee had met the committee of the Chamber of Commerce, and had been most favourably received by that body. The secretary would later on read the formal reply they had received. With regard to some of the other questions raised, it had been suggested that their committee should meet the committee of the* Grain and Woolbrokers' Association. A meeting had been arranged for that evening-, but had unfortunately fallen through. However, Mr Buckland had that day met Mr Todd, the president of the Woolbrokers' Association, and had laid the views of the farmers before that gentleman, who had promised an early reply in writing. He (the chairman) had that day met Mr Jas. Green (Waitati), who had informed him that there wa& a sum of £14- lying to the credit of the old farmers' association. This money was lodged in the names of Messrs Green and W. R. Moore (Berwick). The latter gentleman had recently returned to the colony after a lengthened absence, and he was pleased to say that both the trustees were willing to give a cheque to the Otago branch of the Farmers' Union for the money provided they were indemnified from any further liability. — (Applause.) Curious to state, this money after all these years had shrunk from £14- to £10 13s.

CORRESPONDENCE

The Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce wrote forwarding the resolution (which has already been published) relative to the sale of wheat. The committee were prepared to recommend that wheat should be net cash at Dunedin or Gore, bags extra. With regard to the weighing- of grain, the committee thought the matter outside their province, and suggested that the Grain and Woolbrokers' Association should be approached on the matter. — Received. Correspondence was received from Mr Todd, chairman of the Grain and Woolbrokers' Association, relative to the proposed conference. — Received. The- Secretary of the Taranaki provincial branch wrote stating that their branch had elected three life members. His executive were of opinion that life members deserved something better than a ticket, and suggested that the various provincial branches authorise the exjecutive to procure a design, to be submitted to the colonial conference, for a certificate for life members. — Received. INCREASED HONORARIUMS FOR H.H.R.'S. Xhe Chairman said the following resolution had been forwarded by the Palmerston branch: — "That this branch emphatically protest against the motion now before Parliament to increase members' honoraria, as they consider that in the present depressed state of the country it is imperative that the strictest economy should be observed. "-r-He would thank some member to move the approval of Pahnerston's action in this matter.

Mr Buckland moved — " That the action of the Palmerston branch meet with the hearty approval of this meeting. This was seconded by Mr Findlay, and carried unanimously.

A GRIEVANCE,

Mr BuckJand asked the secretary what replies had been received from the Ministry in reference to the resolutions forwarded by him at th« request of the Milton. Conference.

The Secretary said he had forwarded two resolutions to tha Right Hon. the Premier and two- to the Minister of Railways, but so far had not yet received any reply. Mr Fraser regretted to hear that the secretary's letters had been ignored. He could not understand how it was that an influential body like themselves were unable to obtain replies from Ministers, and were completely ignored. Perhaps the Ministers had not had time to reply.

Mr Buckland wished to emphasise and give all force to Mr Fraser' s remarks and opinions, and thought too much publicity could not be given to the fact of their being ignored. After some discussion, upon the motion of Mr Ross, the chairman, Messrs Fraser, D. Reid, and the mover were appointed a deputation to wait upon the Hon. the Premier and the Minister of Railways to-day in respect of the resolutions passed by the Milton Conference, and any resolutions that might be passed that evening.

A WELCOME DONATION".

Upon the motion of Mr Scott, seconded by Mr Blair, a formal resolution was passed indemnifying Messrs Jas. Green, and W. R. Moore- from any further liability if they handed oyej te the executive fcke money;

lying to the credit of the late New Zealand Fanners' Association in the National Bank.

farmers' insurance,

Mr Blair wished to know li the secretary hod received any further information from Mr Glaus re the liability of farmeiG under the Workers' Compensation Act. Mr Buckland was glad Mr Blair had raised this question. He thought they should be their own secretary in this matter. The other members might not agree with him, but he thought farm labourers hsd as much right to be protected as other labourers. The question then was, How were they going to protect themselves? His idea was that tenders should bo called from thp various insurance companies a'king at what price they would do accident insurance for farmers. When this rcp'.y was received the various branches of the union should be written to, and the farmer-/ wages itemised. Then they could go to the company selected, and say they weiv prepared to give £10,000, or any aum'i worth of business. The company would ■A\sn underwrite tlie amount at the rate quoted. Mr Glass had a good many things to attend to, and he thought they shored do this work themselves. North Canterbury had already done so. He« would" move — "'That the secretary be instructed to obtain tu:h information as will enable him to obtain from the insurance companies a quotation protecting farmers from liabilities arising from accidents."

Mr Fraser seconded the motion, and hoped the Government Insurance Department, would not be overlooked.

Mr Findlay strongly approved of the suggestion, but thought it should embody all kinds of insurance. They ought to take the matter up heartily, and he was sure it would be successful as far as they were concerned from the Waitaki to the Mataura.

Mr Biackie wished to know the exact liability of farmers under the act. The Chairman said he was not sure about the matter.

Mr Findlay said the law had been altered in »o tar as the mill's danger had been taken away from them. Otherwise the colonial law was similar to the English law. which made farmers responsible for accidents occurring on their own places to their own servants. Millowners and contractors had, however, to bear their owa responsibility. He appealed to Mr Reid as to whether he was right in his reading of the law.

Mr Reid • You are right, sir

Mr Buokland gladl^r accepted the suggestion of including fire insurance in his resolution. He would like to know how many farmers' premiums helped to pay for files like Hordern's, in Sydney, and the big Wellington fires. They were now paying fully 16s to 18s per cent., and their business should be done for from 6s to Bs.

Fire insiirance having been incorporated in the motion, it was carried unanimously.

CARRIAGE OY STOCK

Mr Buckland said that the conference at Milton reference had been made to the delay in the transit of stock to shows. A case had come under his notice that day. A settler had loaded a truck of very valuable sheep at Waiinea by noon the day before. Two trains passed without taking the truck, and the third train only took the truck as far as Balclutha, and the sheep never reached Tahuna Park until after midnight. The result was that this exhibitor said unless there were better railway arrangements he would not exhibit again. Mr Fraser gave similar instances of delay in the transit of stock.

It was decided that the deputation which was to wait upon the Hon. the Minister of Railways should bring this matter under his notice, and also ask that passengers should be taken by every train that ran, provided they signed an indemnity to the Government against any claim for accidents if they travelled by goods trains.

BEDISTBIBUTION OF SEVTS.

It was resolved to ask the Hon. the Colonial Secretary for an up-to-date map of the South Island showing the electoral boundaries and the population, with a view to the union making suggestions to the Redistribution of Seats Commissioners.

UNREGISTERED DOGS.

Mr Buckland moved — "That the secretary be instructed to write to all the chairmen of local bodies, mayors of boroughs, etc., in Otago urging the necessity of carrying out stringent regulations with regard to the destruction of all unregistered dogs." This was a very important matter, and deserved attention. After dilating upon the hardships settlers suffered near populated centres through numbers of curs prowling around, he instanced one case of a female dog which had done hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds' damage amongst sheep before it was destroyed. For five years this dog turned up every lambing season. Dunedin was very bad in this respect, and he hoped all officials who had to deal with the registration of dogs would act stringently and destroy all the unregistered ones. The motion vva3 seconded by Mr Findlay and carried nem. con.

ALTERATION I2T THE JtTET SYSTEM,

Mr Buckland said the next matter he had to bring up was rather a ticklish one, inasmuch as it had to do with the study and science of law. It might appear to them foolish what he was going to say ; but if he was right, a special jury could only be procured in civil cases, and not in criminal ones. Now, he contended that country cases should be dealt with by country jurymen, and he especially referred to such cases as sheep and cattle stealing. It might be said a country jury would always convict, but this was no more probable than saying any jury of experts would always decide the same way. The man on his trial would, in fact, have more justice. A smart defending counsel always took care that an acute man and one who knew country life was never in the box. at these trials. The consequence was all country cases were tried by townsmen who were totally ignorant of the conditions of country life. Whether it was possible to bring- about this change or not he was not certain. He hoped, however, that the Otago Faimers' Union would take up this reform and carry it through, and if they did he would be proud of having mooted it.

Mr Reid did not think the suggestion at all feasible. Where would such an alteration in the law end? He was well aware that there was always a difficulty in securing a conviction in sheep-stealing cases, and a fairly smart lawyer was always able to bamboozle the jury. But if Mr Buckland's idea was carried out, each particulai offence would require its own jury. A man had a right to be tried by his peers, and Mr Buckland's suggestion would revolutionise the whole jury system. Mr Fraser deprecated any alteration in our jury system, which was one of the bulwarks of the nation. In any case he thfuu&t the fii'es'snt system was becoming

too extravagant, and M i- Buckland woulc only increase the expense. Messrs Findlay and Blair opposed hi proposal.

Mr Buckland said he was still unconvinced. Earl Ruisell was tried by tie House of Lord?, aad a countryman rhould be tried by a countryman. Expense had nothing to dc with the question. To tesi the feeling of tha meeting he moved — " That, in the opinion of this executive, it is desirable that in all criminal cases dealing with the theft of block the jury should be drawn from men engaged in agricultural and pa=toval pursuits."

Mr lio*s seconded the motion, which was lost on the \oics*.

GEXKR\L.

Mr Donald Borrie wn« elected to represent C'inaru and Mr Simmers Tap-uiui on the executive.

The secretary was instructed \.o test tlia feeling of the blanches as tc where the next tieptiug of the executive should be held. The executive then went into committee.