FARMERS' UNION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 9124, 26 April 1915, Page 3

FARMERS' UNION.

ASHBURTON BRANCH.

ANNUAL MEETING.

1 The annual meeting of the Ashburton branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held on Saturday afternoon. Thero was a moderate attendance, and the chairman (Mr J. R. Simpson) presided. The chairman's annual report stated that eight meetings had been held during the year. Many matters affecting the interests of farmers had come under review and had been satisfactorily dealt with. There was yet plenty oi" room for renewed effort in railway matters- affecting farmers. During the manuring season tho members had been favoured with an instructive and interesting lecture on "Manures" by Mr J. Brown, of Lowcliffe. Five hundred copies of the lecture had been printed and circulated. The membership of the branch was growing, though very slowly, and the increased levy to the executive had in no way retarded the progress of the Union. The North Canterbury Executive had lately been engaged in a struggle over the meat export .question, and had secured concessions for the farmers that they otherwise would not have obtained. Tlie executivo deserved the thanks of tho branch for its efforts. At present farmers wore passing through what might be termed trying times in- some respects. The season had been abnormally dry, but. prices for produce had reached a spring-tide mark. The re^ port went on to say ,that Ashburtori had recently made great progress in the line of High" ■ School work, and if negotiations -were 'successful, the community .would have\an experimental farm on the outskirts of ;fche town.-This combination ought to bo't^' -great advantage to fche rising generation -■&■ agriculturalists. A, ' better , educated farming*, community * was desirable.. Thore was no reason -why it; should be necessary L to import ■ so many experts and instructors. A more scientific training in agriculture was essential. The balance, sheet showed that the year had been commenced with r credit balance amounting to £2 11s 3d. Subscriptions (£67 15s) and donations (£2 16s) had brought the total revenue to £73 2s 2d. "The -total expenditure had been £68 Us, the chief item being a sum of £35 sent in levies to the executive. The credit balance was therefore £4 11s 2d.

The Chajrman moved, and Mr C. Reid seconded, that the report and balance sheet be adopted.—The motion was carried. The whole of- the old officers were" reelected en bloc for tho ensuing yar. • Messrs C. Reid, W. T. Lill, and the chairman were appointed delegates to the Dominion Executive

In regard to scarcity of rolling stock, Messrs W. T. Lill and G. W. Leadley were appointed a deputation to wait or the Minijtstpr of "Railways (the Hon. W. H. Herries) on Monday to discuss the matter with him. It was resolved to forward as remit? to the Dominion Conference any that were sent to the secretary during the coming w^ok. '

The usual votes of thanks wor placed on record.