FARMERS' UNION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume xxix, Issue 7241, 29 July 1907, Page 4

FARMERS' UNION.

The usual monthly meeting of the Ashbarton branch of the Farmers' Union was held on Saturday afternoon. Mr S. S. Chapman was in the chair, and there were also present —Messrs J. Allen, T. Langley, W. Harding, A. S.-Hayman, .T. Mawson and W. T. Lill. An apology was received from Mr C. Reid. Regarding the small birds' nuisance, the secretary said that the poisoned grain was being largely. disposed of. The chairman expressed satisfaction at the Government's proposals to abolish the sheep tax. This would relieve the sheep-owners to the extent of £20,000 a year. Next Wednesday a discussion would take place in Christchurch, in tho Agricultural Association's rooms, on the Land Bill, and every farmer should attend it if he possibly, could. The secretary reported that he had sent £16 4s as levy to the Provincial Executive. Mr Harding moved tlie following resolution: "That the Ashburton branch of the New .Zealand Farmers' Union desires to convey to *the Premier and tlie Government its great appreciation of-the fact that the sheep tax has been abolished. As this was a class tax, causing only a proportion of agriculturalists to carry the expenses of the Stock Department, we are of opinion that the action taken by the Government is a fair and proper one." Speaking to his motion, he said he understood that the tax more than paid the expenses of the Stock Department. Mr Lill, in seconding, said that, the tax would be paid in another way. It should not be a class tax. The chairman regarded it as a step in the right.direction. The sheep tax was a different matter when there was scab. etc. The propos-1 -• ~_ a more equitable method of collecting the necessary money. .The resolution was carried. A new member, Mr C. Flynn, was J elected. i The branch then went into com- j mittee..