Farmers' Union.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 5455, 26 August 1901, Page 2

Farmers' Union.

A meeting of the provisional committee of the Ashbarton Farmers' Union was held on Saturday, Mr G W Leadley in the* chair. GDhe chairman said that since the meeting held in the Aro»de at which it was agreed to form a Union, Mr 0 Reid had been appointed treasurer and Mr Simpson etoretary. He had had an interview with Mr Glaaa, the organising secretary of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. Mr Glass had given him some valuable information as to how the system worked. He then went on to bri'fly explain why the committee had been called together, which was due to the fact of thfl eariySarrival of Mr Glass, who was at prevent down south, but would be in Aebburion on Saturday next-. He would suggest thab ft public meeting of farmers bo held on that day, to be followel by a meeting of tha general committee afterwards At ihs publio meeting Mr Glass wottld deliver an address, and would explain the objeote and the working of the Union. Binoa last meeting Mr Leadley said that he had been deluged with correspondence from Clinton, Gore, Taieri, and other places, both north and south. He had also received correspondence on the eubj 20b from members of Parliament. Mr Harper aeked how many farmers have joined so far. The Secretary replied aboub 120. Mr Leadley explained that he feadsp pointed Mr 33 M Jones as canvtKer, as the latter was continually moving aboub the district), and was always in touch with the formers. He asked that bt> action be approved of. The matter -was held over till after the general meeting. Mr Harper suggested that the public meeting be held in the Oddfellow*' Hall. A building suitable should be selected. Ha considered that instead of 120 there should bo 500 members in a county like Ashharton. They should organise as quickly as poMible, especially aa the expenses were heavy. "

Mr Taylor said that he had nob become * member, as he did not know who .waa. enrolling secretary. They should know who were eligible-as members.

The chairman read tot proipeotui of the Union which referred to that put, Mr Harper meved 'That & pubHo meeting of farmeri to ba followed by * general meeting, bo held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Ashburton, at 2 o'otoak on Saturday next). Mr Harding thought that * committee should be appointed to arrange matters and set out a platform, and moved in that direo tion the committee to comprise the following :—Messrs J Studholme, jaor, S Chapman, E Herring, J Lambie, Jas Brown, 0 J Harper, and 0 Reid: Thii wat agreed to, . •

The ohairmao said that at the movement was becoming widespread, it weald be absolutely necessary to hold ft colonial conference. It would be premature to lay down rules for future guidance until a Conference had been called together, He would like toiee one unbroken Hue from north to south.

Mr Buckley's name was added to iShe Provisional Committee on bhe motion of Mr Harper, seconded by Mr Studholme. Mr Reid draw attention to the new Factories Bill which waa before the House, and which, If passed would seriously affeob bhe farmer?! He specially referred to the clauses dealing with holidays. Mr Harper pointed out thab there was no liklibood of hasty legislation on «ihat haad. If a resolution o*me from the farmers gener 9 ally, it would oarry more weight than one from a meeting like the present one. Mr Lambie considered that a series of resolutions should be drafted on all the important questions, and forwarded to th? proper authorities.

The chairman said it would be some weeks before the Factories Bill was disposed of. la regard to the Worker's Compensation Aob and Accident Insurance, the highest legal opinion h*d given it that the farmers were liable. However, the wording of the Asb was ambiguous, and someone would be hit hard bVfore the real meaning would be found ouu. He hud been in communication with soma of th' 3 insurance offices, and aH he oould cay was that he wou'd o*uHon farmers ftgaisiat, taking out policies. If 'hs Union agieed with one (>ffijp, then men cculd be injured at one third tho cos*.

Mr Frigilander pointed out that) aooirding to a correspondent ia the Press every farmer ought fco insure.

Mr Herring sapgo3te.l educating pabHo opinion on the matter, Ra eulogised Mr Lead'ey'a f peooh at the itnugar.il meeting, and thought that copies of it should be widely distributed.

Me Lumbia agra^d with Mr Herring. The speech waa eulogised by farmers as far off as Taranak'- In referring to tha present legislation, Mr L-*mb:e said that the Statute Book was overloaded with Aots of different) kiade, which were brooming far too oum barsome, yet the farmers were advised not to meddle with politics. It wai well to let) Mr Sedaon sea that the farmers were not asleep* Tha chairman said that he was glad the Union had sprung into exieteaqs spoil' taneously, and the farmers were aot puppet* or marionettes; He referred to the article in the Lyttelton Times anenfa his epeeoh aft the opening meeting, and said that tbo resolution he proposed then was in hit possession for over a fortn'ghb bpforp* Mr Taylor also thought thab information should be distributed among the farmers. Obher bueiness was left over bill the public meeting on Saturday. The meeting adjourned with a vote of thanks to the chair.