FARMERS' UNION.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12937, 17 October 1907, Page 5

FARMERS' UNION.

NORTH CANTERBURY EXECUTIVE. A meeting of the Executive of the North Canterbury branch ot the Farmere' Union wee veld yesterday. l*re- . sent: Messrs l>. Jones (r resident), M. •t'. Ryan (vice-president), i±. 'I. Cooper, G. \V. Leadley, Croorge tiheat, ii. tvans, W. 1. Liv, nugh taglesouie, t*. \>. Lochhead, 'I. ii. now eon, (jeo. Aeiii, \V. \V. -Uuihollaud, C. tx. Elinor, J. \V. Potchett, and W. F. Hilson (provincial secretary). Apologies wewj received from Messrs \v ntred Huii aud i>. tUuiholiund. Mr t. G. Morrell wrote, with regard to the question of the size of corn sacks, suggesting that the members of the Executive should give a fow minutes' study to 1 Kings, chapter 12; the demand* of those lepresented by the writer could be read in the fourth verse, the Executive's reply in the 14th verse, and the answer thereto in the 16th verse. 'Ihe secrotary explained that apparently the writer adopted the role or Kehotwam. while the Executive was likened to the oppressors. The writer, however, appeared to have overlooked the fact thit Rehoboam was referred- to as having caused Israel to sin. 'Ihe jetter was received. Sir Joseph Ward wrote expressing gratification that the Executive approved ot his action regarding wheat and flour duties. The Selwyn County Council wrote that they had deferred consideration of the question of contributing towards the> new laboratory at Canterbury College pending further information as to the intentions of the Government. In reply to a matter brought up by the Prebbleton Branch, Mr Jack, Colonial Secretary of the Union, wrote that i the Minister for Railways in receiving the deputation from the Conference, stated that the remits (including one requesting that the consignor should re- j oeive as well as the coneignee, tho ■ weights of produce by rail on the one i payment) would have tho fullest con- j sideration; and on July 20th tho! Minister, in acknowledging receipt of j remits concerning railway and postal t matters, stated that the represents- i tions made would receive consideration. It was decided to transmit this information to the branch, with the statement that the Executive was awaiting ; the Minister's reply. j The Oxford Branch sent a remit to the effect that the educative value of agricultural shows would be increased if the judges of live stock were requested to give the good and bad points respectively of the various exhibits judged, the seme to bo posted up by eech exhibit. , Mr Cooper moved the adoption of the remit, though personally he wae not in favour oi it, but the Oxford Branch desired to have the subject discussed. Mr Howson seconded the motion, and said that what wis esked for w«t impossible unless some standard was established. Mr Leadley suggested that piaster of jjaris caste should be provided. He was in favour of judging by the points Tvstem, as it was the onTj way to make shotre of real educative value to the people. Mr Sheat referred to the Canterbury A. and P. Association's judging competitions for young farmers as a step in the right direction. The Chairman: If it Jβ good for the young judges why not for the old judgeeP Other speakers were of opinion that the adoption of the points judging sys- ' tern would prolong the work of the judges unreasonably, Mr Eneor remarking that there would be ac much discussion over the apportioning of the different point* as there is < now over each sheep. It -was ultimately decided, on the ■ ibotion of Mr' Sheat, to receive the < letter. Mr Cooper eaid that hie < Branch would be satisfied with the die- i cuseion, and it wae not necessary to refer it to the A. end P. Association, , Regarding a remit from the Prebbleton Branch expressing opposition to the endowment oroposals of the Government's land measure*,' the Chairman said the Executive had already expressed themeelvee fully on this subject, end the letter was received. The committee appointed for the purpose reported that they considered the time inopportune to establish a labour bureau for farmers. The report wae ' agreed to.