FARMERS' UNION.

Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue 118, 20 May 1905, Page 2

FARMERS' UNION.

Jut TRMcoiurn'-rßms association 1 INVKUOARUILL, 19th May. At the annual provincial meeting of tho Southland Fanners' I'nion, the PieMdent, Mr. J. M'Quccu, uiged the necessity for keeping up tlu< union m view of cveiiU hero and in Australia. The Socialists had got n "white Australia," and now wanted a "white ocean" to cairy their lettern on. The union had made mistake*, but its existence .was ew*ential to farmers' wellbeing. After hearing Mr. Prnin on tho subjoct of mutual Iho insurance, it was resolved to join tin- Otago Association. It wild resolved that Crown U-nanUt should have tho option of purchasing Hid freehold. By 22 voles to 17 it wna decided to appoint nu organising agent and cmvaeiier. The argument against thin was that Branch Secretaries should not in their districts, but it w.i« pointed out that they could not be expected to work for nothing, and in the aggregate it would bo more costly to pay them than to pay one official for tho district. Mr. Paterson was appointed veterinary advisor at £100 per annum, on tho understanding that only those who subscribed to his walary nhould have call cm his services. t he following resolutions were pa«sed : That threshing millowners furnish to the Government the quantities of grain put through; that thcro bo no alterations in tho franchise for tho election of local bodies; that cp-openitivo labour be abandoned on public works in favour of small contracts. A proposal that the membership subscription be on acreage or valuation was lost, as wns ono that Branch Secretaries be paid from 6d to Is 6d per member enrolled. A proposal that no sheep oarnuirk bo made with a knifo, and that inspectors attend sales and make records, and that dealers furnish details was negatived on tho ground that thero are too many inHpcctor.s tiheady. A motion to frnmo a political platform for submission to Parliamentary candidates was withdrawn, it being pointed out that whilo tho union wits a political organisation it was not a party organisation. On a motion to proceed against dofaulting guarantors for the union's "velV wrvicoH, some scathing remarks were Hindu on tlioir meanness.