THE FARMERS' UNION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10386, 4 May 1925, Page 6

THE FARMERS' UNION.

METHVEN BRANCH AFFAIHS. PAST YEAR'S ACTIVITIES. The third annual meeting of the Methven Branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held! in the A. ana P Association's room on Friday evening. The President (Mr J. Carr) pre-<-ded over an attendance of about 4U. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs T. S. Harrison, C 1. Jessep F. W. Ruddenklau, and v. M. Christie. ~ Renewing the annual report Mr <_ari said the committee had had a very

busy and successful year. Representatives from the branch had placed the views of farmers in connection with the Land and Income Tax before the laxation .Commission. He contended that the efforts of the Union were largely instrumental in having the tax on income derived from land abolished, live members of the committc-e also aotendea: the sitting of the Arbitration Court at Ashburton in connection with the Threshing Mill Employees' However, the presiding mdge had ruled

against then- giving evidence dui*ulowed Mr Leadley to place the views of farmers before the Court. Mr J. H. Stone read the balancesheet which showed that the branch was in a very flourishing condition. Ihe receipts, 'including a credit-balance from the previous year of £7l 15s Gd, totalled £269 Is Id. The principal items were: Members' subscriptions £ll3 and manure rebate £32 17s 9d. The expenditure was £l7l 12s 3d, the principal items being: Union fees £BO 10s manure rebate "distributed £29 6s 6d The credit balance was £9O 12s 10d, while outstanding subscriptions totalled £ls The following were elected 1 members: —Messrs E. J. AVatson, Stanley AVdson, H. L. Mangin. , Mr Carr, who attended the recent conference in Wellington, whicn dealt with the price of wheat, gave an interesting account of the proceedings. Unexplained how the price fixed for wheat was arrived at, and read a long paper ■ explaining the position of the wheat and flour market from the millers point of view. The paper also outlined a scheme foT guaranteeing prices tor wheat for future yearsA letter was received from tne department of Agriculture expressing regret that owing to the epidemic the Winter School for Farmers could not be held. In place thereof a travelling school had been arranged and a number of lecturers would visit .various centres in the rural districts of Canterbury and Otaeo. About six centres would be visited, including Methven. The dates allotted to Methven were June 26 and 27 A course of lectures would be given by the Director of the Fields Division, Vetinerary Lecturer, Dive Stock Demonstrators and Instructor in Agriculture. Lectures on any special subject would be arranged on request. , The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr J. R. Dalton;! vice-president, Mr Henry Magmness; j secretary and treasurer, Mr J. H. Stone. 'An honorarium of £lO 10s was voted to the hon.sec. for his services during the past year. It was decided not to hold regular meetings, but whenever necessary, the president, vice-president, and secretary to arrange them. The union passed a motion of sympathy with Mr Massey and family, expressing the hope that the Premier would have a speedy recovery.