FARMERS' UNION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 112, 17 June 1914, Page 10

FARMERS' UNION.

NORTH CANTERBURY EXECUTIVE At a meeting of the executive of the North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union this afternoon there were present: Messrs C. H. Ensor (president), G. Gardner, G. Sheat, W. Bailey, F. G. Horrell, C. Benjamin, A. E. Cooke, S. Weld, J. R. Cullen, .1. W. Foster, IT. G. Livingstone, G. G. Newton, .1. W. Patchett, A. J. Bell (organiser), and W. F. Hilson (secretary). COST OF LIVING. A report on the conference which was held last evening by members of the union and representatives of the Trades and Labour Council, regarding the cost of living, and which is reported elsewhere in this issue, was made by the chairman. He remarked that both the Farmers' Union and the Trades and Labour Council had found that the cost of distribution is one of the most important factors in the rise in the cost of living. A further conference would be held later.

Replying to Mr Sheat, the president said that it was made very clear at the conference that the statements and opinions expressed were those of individuals.

Mr Sheat. said he was glad to hear that. 110 would not like the idea to go out to the public that the pronouncements were those of officers of the Union. It was an excellent idea .to try to bring Capital anil Labour together. But there was an impression that members of the Union had indicated that t Jig Union was antagonistic" to the Farmers' Co-operative Association. He (Mr Sheat) wanted it to be made perfectly clear that the Union was not antagonistic toward the Co-operative Association, but, on the contrary, was perfectly friendly with it. Mr F. G. Horrell said he could not understand how anyone could have read into his remarks at the conference something he did not mean. He had merely .stated that the Farmers' Union was quite apart from the Farmers' Cooperative Association. What drew that from him was a remark by a delegate from the other side. If the whole report were .read properly he coiild not see how any exception could be taken to his remarks.

SUBCOMMITTEES-APPOINTMENTS. . Sub-committees were appointed as follow: —

Commercial Committee: Messrs R. Evans, C. Benjamin, B. S. Smith, H. G. Livingstone, and J. W. Patchett. Finance: Messrs W. Bailey, A. E. Cooke, F. G. Horrell, CI. G. Newton, and S. Weld.

Vigilance: Messrs I. Andrew, J. R. Cullen, W. E. Foster, and G. Leadley. The president (Mr C. H. liiisor), treasurer (Mr G. Sheat), and vice-president (Mr G. Gardner) are, ex-oilicio, ■ members of all committees.

Mr A. .1. Bell was appointed manager of the trading department , and labour bureau of the branch, as well as organiser, and Mr W. F. Hillson was reappointed secretary. Messrs G. Gardner anil W. Bailey were appointed to represent the executive on the central committee set up to deal with the question of sending produce to the Panama Exposition. Mr A. J. Bell was appointed the executive's .delegate to the Christchuivh Technical College. MAIN Tlvl' NK..RAILWAYS.

A telegram was received from the chairman of the Railway League inviting the president of the union or another delegate to meet, the Minister of Public Works at a meeting and banquet at Kaikoura to-morrow.

The chairman regretted that it was impossible for him to go to Kaikoura to-morrow. "\He was strongly-of opinion that the (Government should concciitrate on the construction and extension of the main trunk railways, and especially on the northern portion of the South Island.

Mr W. A. Banks was then appointed to represent the union on this Occasion.

POSTAL FACILITIES

Mr G. Gardner raised the question of postal facilities on the Culverden line. Until two years ago there was a mail van on that line, but for some reason it was discontinued, and now, if anvoue ir his district wanted to setnd a letter, even only.six miles, three days were occupied in the transit of the letter —it had to come down to Christehureh and then go back again. Perhaps the putting ou of a mail vau again would cost a little, but the cost would be far ( outweighed by the great beuefit to settlers. He moved" that a deputation wait upon the Chief Postmaster and endeavour to have the. mail van put on the Culverdeu line again. Mr Weld considered that the scope of the motion was not wide enough. There should be better postal facilities on all the country trains, and not only on the Culverden line. Why should not posting boxes on the trains be used? There were posting boxes on the trains, but ou them were notices that, they were not to be used. He moved, as an amendment, that a deputation wait on the Chief Postmaster to ask for increased postal facilities between country railway stations. Mr Gardner's motion was carried, and a deputation was accordingly ap pointed. . . : .... .. . . Messrs 'Gardner''and Newton referred to the congestion of telephone business at Amberley, and asked that an effort should be made to get a new trunk line from Wailcari and Amberley to Christcluu'ch. -

The deputation appointed to pat forward the-matter of postal facilities was instructed to bring this question also to the attention of the Chief Postmaster.

A CONFERENCE.

An invitation was received from the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association, for three delegates appointed by the union to attend a conference which is to be held in. Christchurch on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of next week, at the instance of the association. The conference is intended to be representative of the various farmer*' co-operative associations in the Dominion, with six representatives of the Farmers' linion —three from the South Island and three from the North Island. As the general character of the conference will be of special interest to fanners, the association desired the union to be represented. It will deal principally w r ith the question of a federated scheme to secure a saving of money, and other advantages, in the matter of imports and exports, and will also deal with other important subjects. Mr Sheat said that the conference would be in the very direction of trying to bring about a better relationship between the bodies that were trying to help not only the farmers but also the workers.

It was asked that the president should be one of the delegates to the conference, but Mr Elisor pointed out that he will be leaving; to-morrow on a Visit to Australia.

Messrs G. Gardner, G, Sheat, and G. W. Leadley were therefore appointed the union's representatives.