FARMERS' UNION.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13100, 27 April 1908, Page 4

FARMERS' UNION.

ASHBURTON BRANCH

At the annual meeting of tho Ashburton branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, held on Saturday afternoon, tlio following officers were electacd:—Chairman, Mr Charles Reid;vicechairman, Mr F. Frampton; treasurer, Mr T. Mawson; committee, Messrs T. E. Upton, G. W. Leadley, T. McKay, Kidd, Scott, J. S. Bland, Hayman, T. W. Lill, J. Bruce, Capon, Murdoch, W. Harding; secretary, Mr J. B. Christian; auditor, Mr W : . Pickles; delegates to the Conference, Messrs C. Roid, S. S. Chapman, and T. W. Liil. It was docid-cd to send, remits to the Conference to the effect that the Government should be asked to make experiments with a view to seeing what could be don© to cope with tlie turnip blight, which was becoming a serious menace to the agricultural industry; that the authorities at Lincoln College should b© asked to carry out and report on experiments with catch crops for feeding purposes; that the Ashbiirton branch of tho Union was strongly of opinion that tho Conciliation Boards should bo abolished in favour of a system of Wages Board, consisting of experts in th© industries affected, ajad which should be immediately abolished after tho completion of each case; that the question whether the awards of the Arbitration Court should be law in any district ought to be decided by a majority of the electors at the samo time and place as tho question of license or No-license.

Tho usual votes of thanks to outgoing officers wero passed, and a special vote of thanks was extended to Mr J. B. Christian for the able manner in which he had carried out his duties as secretary.