FARMERS' UNION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2466, 20 May 1915, Page 8

FARMERS' UNION

(By .Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Pahiatua, May 19. The Farmers'. /Union Provincial Conference was'continued to-day, Mr. Moss presiding. The election of officers resulted. 1 as follows President, Mr. L. Moss (Ekefcahuna); vice-president, Mr. 6. .L. Marshal (Marton); treasurer, Mr, ,W„ Birch (Marton) ;-delegates to Dominion Conference, Mr. Marshall (Marton) and Sir. H. Booth (Feilding); executive, Messrs. Hugh Morrison (Masterton), ,W. B. Matheson (Eketahuna), H. Morrison (Groytown), E. Campbell (Wanganui), A. D. M'Leod (Martinborough), H. A. Nevins (Tenui), Quntan Donald (Featherston), J. Walsh (Palniorston North), K. Dalyranle (Bulls), A. Robinson (Wanganui), A. Howie (Waverley). Mr. H. Booth (Foilding) and Sir James AVilson were elected lifemembers of tho" executive.

Resolutions Passed. _ The following resolutions were carried :— That the Minister of Lands bo urged to acquire a block of lond for sale adjoining tho Moumohaki State Farm. That auctioneers and auctioneers' associations be requested to provide water troughs for stock ami latrines for the public at public sale-ya.rds, and their attention be called to the disrepair of several sale-yards. fll.it there ho a tax on all motordriven vehicles, to bo collected so as to be applied solely to the upkeep of the roads of the Dominion.

That the Stallion Bill drawn up by Dr. lieakes be made law.

That all future Government conferences on matters vitally affecting farmers' interests, the Farmers' Union be requested- to send representatives. That tho time has come when the present party system should bo replaced by a scheme of government by elective executive, and that the Do-r-minion Conference he urged to press for such a reform.

That the Department of Agriculture bo urged to continue the work of planting wasto lands on the West Coast.

That it be a recommendation to the directors of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Association that in future 110 insurances at reduced rates be accepted from persons not financial members of the union.

That the valuation rate be submitted to county councils by the Government Valuer before being finally fixed, so that the county council can suggest alterations to the Valuer where necessarv. That the Government be urged to bring ill legislation to abate the worrying of sheep by dogs, and that the registration of dogs by borough councils be done away with.

That the Dominion Executive be urged to arrange a conference of firo insurance associations with the view of fixing a-uniform tariff rate for fire and accident business.

That tho Mutual Insurance Association be urged to reinsure their surplus firo insurance business with each other. That tho jßailwav Department be requested to provide insulated tmcks with hooks, once a week for the carriage of pigs from country stations to. tlio city! ■

That the Telegrapli Department 'be asked. to' collect suAscriptions from individual subscribers " oil party telephono ' lines, instead • of ' appointing a subscriber to do so as at present. That the conference. urged upon the Wellington City Council tho necessity of establishing a clearing-house for dressed pigs, in conjunction with the proposed milk depot. That the Provincial Executive forego •the levies on members of branches who are serving with tho forces, and that Uio Dominion Executive be asked to fjorego tho Dominion levy. A remit sent in by the Pahiatua. branch dealing with Farmers' Union land agencies was discussed, and was strongly criticised by several speakers. iEventuaUy it was resolved that, in the interests and for the protection of farmers, the sale and exchange of farming properties bo undertaken by the lumon through the agency of the New Zealand Distributing Co., with the cooperation of each local branch. It was decided to hold the-next conlerenco at Levin.

An Address, Mr. Leigh Huiit, of Wellington, ad'dressed tlio conference, and explained the distributing scheme. He spoke at length on the indenting associations, the establishment of sale-yards, shipping rings, and other interesting topics. Several delegates expressed appreciation of Mr. Leigh Hunt's remarks, and Mr. A. Robinson (Wanganui) offered to take up 1000 shares in the Fanners' Distributing Company. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Matheson (Eketaimna), that the union approach the auctioneering firms with a view to liaving the selling commission on stock reduced, and that whero unisatisfactory auctioneering conditions exist, such district be urged to raise isufliciont capital to enable the Distribution Company to serve them. It was ■also resolved that, in view of the preedit high shipping rates, the Dominion Conference be urged to set up a Shipping Committee to co-operate with other organisations.

Mutual' Fire Insurance. The report of the union's Mutual Kto Insurance Association stated that iho total premiums received for tie •year amounted to £1614, an increase •of £419 oil the previous year. The 'total of £116,104 represents the amount hf new business written during the year. The fire losses for the year amounted to £719, paid out on account soven claims.