Farmers' Union.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 6206, 29 February 1904, Page 2

Farmers' Union.

The usual monthly meeting of the Committee of the Farmers' Union was held on Saturday afternoon. Present-Messrs J. Lwnbie (chairman), J. Studnolme, G. TV. Leadley. T. E. Upton, J. Copland, W. T. Lill, W. Harding.

CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was dealt with asunA. jt ■ „,t From Mr T. E. Taylor, stating that he would be unable to' be present at the meeting to be held on March Ist, to discuss ] the land tenure question.—Received. _ From Mr G. Laur^nson. to a similar effect, and suggesting that an evening meeting be held, after 20th March.—l he Chairman stated that the Secretary had written Mr Laurenson, pointing out that the meeting of March Ist was especially for the purpose of placing the views of both parties before the farming community. Mr Laurenson had replied that an evening meeting would be as good an opportunity to plaoe the matter before the rest of the community. , , „, A letter was also received from Mr Studholme, empodying his views, »a mentioned later in case he were not able to attend. ■ Mr Studholme thought that it was regrettable that the leasehold champions were unwilling to face the farmers. There was no doubt; the freeholders had right on their side, and they were sure to prevail if their view 3 were fairly put before the community. He did not see much use however, in holding a one sided meeting on March Ist. I The Chairman thought there should !be some organisation at the proposed meeting, whenever held, both sides being allowed % fixed time in which to stats- their views. Mr Studholme pointed out that should the farmers hold their meeting first, the other side would have time to consider and prepare an answer to their arguments. Mr a. W. Leadley stated that Mr Laurenson had been most persistent in blocking the movement to hold a meeting of farmers.

Mr Studholme thought the March Ist meeting should be abandoned, and proposals made to Messrs Taylor and Laurenson to secure a fair debate of the matter. He moved and Mr Lill seconded, that the meeting on March Ist ba abandoned, in consequence of the inability of Messrs Taylor and Laurenson to be present. Mr Leadley said that he was opposed to holding an evening meeting, as an adverse resolution was sure to be carried.

Mr Studholme thought that there was no certainty of th<»t being the case. Mr Copland suggested that a meeting be held on a Thursday afternoon. The Chairman said that the other side were determined to have an evening's meeting for the fun of the thing. The majority of the townspeople likely to attend prefetred to loaf about in the afternoon. Mr Leadley thought that the other side were trying to dictate matters. They desired to come here at their own time and convenience and at the expense of the farmer?, He thought that the Union should run a meeting of their own on some evening after Messrs Laurenson and Taylor's meeting, when they might perhaps be able to secure Mr Massey's attendance. Mr Studholme's motion was carried.

Mr Leadley thought a resolution should be moved to the effect that as Messrs Taylor and Laurenson would not meet the farmers, both sides should make their own arrangements for future meetings. Mr Leadley moved and Mr Studholme seconded, " That the secretary be instructed to write to Messr3 Taylor and Laurenson, regretting that thay were unable to meet the Ashburton fanners, and suggesting that in future each side make their own arrangements a3 to any future meeting.'* Carried. The meeting then became a BRANCH MEETOCK Apologies were reoeived from Messrs J. Croy, J. Cochrane, and S. S. Chapman fcr abseice. . CORRESPONDENCE Correspondence was deal- with as under:— From the Department of Agriculture, stating that the season vvas too far gone to institute experiments in regard to noxiouß weeds. ~ Received. From Mr W. H. SMllifco, tendering hi 3 resignation to the Union, on th,e ground that it was too conservative a body.

H.e objected to the action of the Union in a certain matter.

It was decided to write to Mr Shillito, pointing out that he was mistaken as to the action of the Union in the matter referred to.

From Department of Labour, qutlining the procedure neoeaaacy for the institution of a Registry Office in connection with the branch.—Received.

Mr Studholme brought up the matter of trucks at flag stations. He suggested that every truck be marked with the name of the person who bespoke it and the time up to which it was bespoken. The chairman said that Mr Waite had adopted a rather unsympathetic attitude to farmers, but he thought the suggestion might be made. 1 Mr Studholme thought that Sir J. Ward should bei communicated with, bringing under his, notice th,e suggestions he had outlined. Mr Studholme moved, and Mr Lesley seconded, the objection of the Minister of Railways to the proposals of the Union re trucks at flag stations could easily be met so far as the risl? of trucks lying idle is concerned by the insertion of a time limit on thg truck cards liiniting the applicant's prior claim .'■' Carried. It was decided to send a copy of the resolution to the North Canterbury Executive.

In regard to. the controversy re the weight of copnsacka, the secretary explained that the present width of the bags was controlled by the makers of such, bags in India, whose machine.py was designed for the construction of the Vide bags, They would hardly be likely to alte.r their machinery for a small demand.

The Chairman pointed out that at the Chamber of Commerce conference, importers had announced their ability to obtain any sise of bag wanted.

Mr Studfyolme pointed out tha£ the position of the Union was that they approved of the 20pib bag; the difference, of opinion was only as to the dimensions of the bag. The Union had never opposed the 2001b weight for the bags, and in fact had endorsed the resolution of the A. and P. Association to t^a^ effect at th,eir first conference.