FARMERS' UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5536, 19 July 1920, Page 2

FARMERS ' UNION.

POVERTY BAY BRANCH

A meeting of the Poverty Bay branch of tire New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held on Saturday afternoon; present—Messrs. O. H. Bridge (chairman), and E. Monckton, It. Henson, P. J. Taylor, J. Marshall, and G. E. Jones.

The secretary of the Gisborne Returned Soldiers’ Association wrote at the direction of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, forwarding copies of circulars received from the R.S.A, headquarters concerning the suspension of advances to soldiers under Section 2 of. the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act and asking for the co-operation of the Union in assisting to place the resolutions before the present Parliamentary sittings.—On the motion of the chairman it was resolved to forward the correspondence to Mr. W. D. Lysnar, M.P., for his opinion of the position.. Tile Auckland branch of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union wrote concerning the proposed formation of a Dairy Farmers’ Union, and stating that it seemed to be the general opinion that any separate organisation would only tend to dissipation of the present forces. It stated further that the Auckland executive would discuss the matter with representatives of the proposed Union, and hoped to be successful in persuading them to abandon the fn-oject and throw in their lot with the Farmers’ Union.—The letter was received. The chairman brought up the matter of supplies of manure to farmers in this district, stating that it was very difficult to obtain sufficient quantities at present. He moved that a deputation be set up to interview the managers of the Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Frozen Meat Co. and Nelson Bros, to ascertain the reason for the scarcity of supplies at this period of the year. The motion was seconded by Mr. J. Marshall and carried. Favorable comment upon the establishment and progress of wool classes in Poverty Bay was made by the chairman, who also pointed out the urgent necessity of the various branches of the Union in Poverty Bay holding their annual meetings as soon as possible. Some discussion arose over a letter received some time ago from the Prime Minister dated April 29, which, in reply to an inquiry from the local branch "of the Farmers’ Union, stated that all wool purchased by the Imperial Government was being disposed of in the United Kingdom or elsewhere, under public competition. In this connection reference was made to a recent Press cable stating that 90,000 hales of shown wool were available for the London series, of which 17,500 were New Zealand, also 15,000 on description. N.Z. wool. This fact was communicated to Mr. Massey bv the secretary. The meeting expressed its disapproval of this method of disposing of New Zealand wool. . . ~ AW It was decided to invite Mr. A. it. Norton chairman of directors of the Bristol and Dominion Producers Association, to visit Gisborne and address a meeting of farmers. +he chairman said that in disposing of produce through this agency he had obtained good treatment and results. A number of remits to the annual Dominion Conference of tne rsew land Farmers’ Union next came before the meeting for discussion, and, with the exception ot remit No. “That steps be taken to form a Farmers’ Political Party.” were approved. 1