FARMERS' UNION.

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 1797, 18 May 1912, Page 4

FARMERS' UNION.

MEETING OF THE FEILDING

BRANCH

PLOUGHING MATCH AND OTHER

MATTERS,

A meeting of the Feilding branch of the Farmers' Union was held yesterday afternoon. Present*. Messrs C. Selby (Chairman), H. J. Booth, A. Campbell, C. A. J. Levett, Brewster, J. Northcott, J. Morrison W. Fry, Lobb, 0. McElroy, Hugh,BmT*ll, D. H. McLean, and R. O. French. A DONATION. A letter was read from Mr J. G. Wilson, forwarding £1 ls to be given to the ploughman under 21 years who did the best work.—Accepted with thanks. * MARTON'S REQUEST. The Secretary of tlie Marton Ploughing Match, wrote asking the Feilding Committee would donate something towards tlie funds for running their championship meeting on June 26.—Decided that there were no. funds available to helv> Marton. STOCK EXCHANGE. Mr G. L. -Marshall, Chairman of the Marton -branch, wrote reporting a meeting was to be held on the 18th inst. at Marton to consider lie advisability of appointing a stock agent who would also act as a canvasser for the union, to work chiefly amongst the moiuuers of the Union, promote a stock exchange between farmers and so save some of the expenses of talcing stock to public sales. The Feilding branch was asked to send a delegate to the meeting. It was understood a suitable man had offered, his services.. Tlie formation of a Seed Association —oversee tho production ofnncrw r varieties of grains in suitable quantities to distribute amongst farmers.

Mr Morrison' said thero was something in tlie suggestion. It used to be the case that the auctioneers had men running about amongst the farms to arrange private sales. Now they saw none of that. Perhaps if the Union appointed a man, the auctioneers would do the same again. Mr Fry said thero was another side to the question. "When sales were effected by the auctioneers, they took the risk, and paid the vendor at once. If the union appointed a man, would it take the risk? Supposing the Union's man made a bad sale, would the Union pay up ? When he paid a commission to the auctioneers, he took it that was partly for commission and partly because the auctioneers took the risk. Sometimes the auctioneers dealt with buyers whom the farmer would not like to deal with.

In discussing the matter, members thought the proposal should go before the Provincial Conference. Tliere was not sufficient information before the meeting. Mr Fry was asked to represent the branch at the Marton conference; but he was unable to undertake the job.

Mr Morrison was asked, and said he would attend if possible.

PLOUGHING MATCH. The draft rules and programme for the ploughing match was then discussed, and adopted. It was decided to give a gold medal to the best ploughman on tlie ground.

Mr McElroy reported that ho had received donations totalling £2 2s, from Messrs T. Hicks (10s 6d), T. Masters (10s 6d), and T. Shortall (£1 Is), as prizes for a match with a swing plough. It was agreed to insert this item in the programme. Mr Booth proposed that the match bo held on June 19.

Seconded' by Mr Morrison, and agreed to.

Messrs French, Fry, McETroy, Morrison, and Selby were appointed the Luncheon Committee.