FARMERS' UNION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 171, 13 April 1908, Page 2

FARMERS' UNION.

ANNUAL MEETING AT PALMERSTON -i '. NORTH. . The aVnual meeting of' tho'-'Palmerston North' branch of the Farmers 1 Union was' held on Saturday,-' Mr. J.,Balsillia presiding.; ; ■ - A letter \ras received froai ,tho director of. the Technical School asking for tho support of-the brrinch with irview to starting a wool classing class' in -connection with the school. It was docided to cncourage tho movement, -and to meet tho director later and discuss tho prospects.; "■. . : ' Mr. Basillio was elected chairman, and. Mr. F. It. Bryant vice-chairman; tho new committee was formed of Messrs. Barber, Hewitt, Harding, Matheson, Kyle; Stubbs, Hopkirk, Jonneaux, Buchanail, Sutherland, and Voss, with power to add »to; their number. • . : V . -Arrangements are reported to bo well. in haiid for tho annual dinner on May .12,-to which tho Minister for. Lands and ;otheiv pr<x mini-nt. speakers are to' b&'invited;' ' Messrs. BasiUie. and Hewitt, wore appointed, delegates to tho annua! conference a± 'Foilding. - :<'••' v ■ .*• ' •••' Tho annual minimum subscription was fixed 'at 7s. Gd.| on a sliding scale. . . . . . Chairman's Roport. , , . . The Chairman submittid the following'reportThrough the action of the'branch, tho borough by-law restricting the traffic or stock through certain streets was brought ' up, and a deputation from' tho stock owners waited on tho Council, with tho result that the' restrictions : wore practically withdrawn. Tho annual'conference of delegates, held at Levin, was largely aUemled, and' great 'in- ■ torcst was shown in the work of tho Union throughout tho province. Tho provincial organiser paid a short visit to tho district, ;uk! succeeded in obtaining a large number ; of members' arrears, but I regret to report :■ there aro still somo'lßo that have not paid their subscriptions for tlio year, just; ended, tho total .number paid for the year at present being only eighty. Steps v.ore taken with,a view of forming a ri!te club in connection with tho but the matter dropiiod principally on account of tho cxjK'iiso that ' would bo incurred in erecting a range. /Tho matter of _ tho agricultural labourers'- do-_ mauds, which w,-.s before tho Arbitration Court iu Canterbury, was oonsidcr©d. by tho

branch, and recommendations that certain clauses bo opposed; was .passed. Tho Sliearors' Union demands caused' a, great deal of interest in .the;, district, 'and we'havo to ' congratulate the executive' on tho succcss cf tho conference between the two parties which resulted in a.settlement 'of tho dispute; Tho' matter ; of .tho annual, subscriptions - will require your; immediate attention. Tho provincial /executive. having notified branches, in acoordanco with a resolution passed at tho jlast oonforence, that tho, lovy.for'the ensuing year will-bo raised to 6s. per! member, it is evident our.;.minimum subscription of ss. ;; must-be raised to ;.mcot this 'increased levy and. pay the expenses of the branch. Tho ■ oommitteo decidcd not,to hold 'a picnic this ■ yoar, but,,'in' lieu , thereof, would- hold a dinner, early next month. . I trust the members will, support tho sam'o by ; their ■ attendance. Tho;'select;on of Palmeraton North as a sito. fori tho-dairy, school, is'a .matter for .'oqugratulation, and.it is hoped that farmers.will .heartily' support the/same.ln conclusion, I' would urgo all members to talco a moro activo .interest ;in 'the/affairs, of .the; '. Union,.which-is now rccognisod as the repre- . sentative body of -tho-farmers, generally, for. • tho protection, of thoir own interests, as it is only by united front that wo can,meet tho extra/ordinary .demands mado by certain orga-. . nisatio'ns ,to further, , increase, tho taxes and other, burdens,,of our, farnis.",'