FARMERS’ UNION.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12728, 11 April 1904, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION.

HASTINGS BRANCH. The annual general moling of the, Hastings branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held in the Drill Hall on Saturday evening. The farmers’ dinner held prior to the commencement of business, was a distinct success, over 75 sitting down to a capilal repast excellently served by Mr »S. Bone.

After dinner the Chairman (Mr Tlayis Canning) proposed the toast of “ r i he King,”'winch was loyally honoured. Mr T. Crus a* then said he had a toast to propose, that, of “The provincial Chairman of the Hawke’s Ik’.’y executive, Mr A. H. Russell.” Mr Crosse, after eulogising Mr Rnssell’s ability as Chairman, went briefly into tho progress of the union, pointing out tho advantages to be derived from concerted action and the interchange of opinions at meetings of the branches. Ho mentioned the good work done by the Hawke’s Bay executive in securing a veterinary surgeon, chiefly by Hie aid of the Provincial Chairman.

Mr Russell, in responding, said ho recognised that the toast was in honour of the union. Ho had great faith in the good to be done by a body like, the Farmers’ Union. The Hawke’s Bay executive had taken a very sound step in securing the services of a veterinary surgeon for the district. Mr Malcolm Brodie, the gentleman engaged. had the highest possible credentials and should give the farmers satisfaction. Mr Russell said ho was pleased to see so imtny present, hut he regretted that there were not move of the younger members of Ihe tanning fraternity around the board. Routine work, such ns must of necessity follow where real business was being done, was distasteful to young men; but they should scv» that a little self-sacrilicc was necessary in their own interest. After dealing briefly with Hie relations of the branch with the Agricultural and Pastoral Society, Mr Russell resumed his seat.

Mr Canning asked Hie company to drink the health of Hie president of Hie Hawke’s Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society. Mr J.' 11. Williams.

Mr Williams, who was greeted with applause, said lie was highly gratified with the remarks made by Mr Canning in proposing the toast. Mr fanning had said that he was sorry there were not more small fanners on the Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s committee, ilo {Mr Williams) was also sorry on that account, but it was not the fault of the society. They had endeavoured to get the small fanners for years past. Mr Williams spoke,of the success of the Autumn Show, which had been inaugurated for the benefit of small farmers two years ago, and said that lie was glad to he able to state that the coming show had received a record entry. Mr Canning then announced that (he actual business for which the meeting had been called would be proceeded with.

The balance-sheet for the year showed that the finances of the branch wen* in a sound condition, a. credit balance of £55 15s 9d. after all liabilities bad been mot. remaining at bank. ]( was also reported that four general meetings and eight committee meetings had boon held during the year, ami various matters of vital interest to farmers had received consideration. The branch had increased in membership, and the interest displayed was in marked contrast to the lukewarmness of some time back.

Mr Crosse, in moving (lie adoption of the report and balance-sheet. said lie need only look around the room to notice Hie number of new faces, faces of farmers, to be convinced that. the. branch had progressed. He congratulated the officers on the prosperous stall* of affairs, and hoped for ns good a year between this and the nest annual meeting as the past one had Wen. Mr Collison seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The. election of Chairman was then proceeded with. Only one nomination was received, that of Hie'retiring Chairman, Mr 1). Canning, who was re-e.lcetod with acclamation. Mr Canning briefly returned thanks, stating that in* would endeavour to work as well for the union in the future as Inhad done in the past. The post of Chairman was an onerous one. but he would do his best lo fulfil Hie duties of Hie office.

Mr Crosse was appointed honorary treasurer.

It was resolved that the, incoming committee he instructed to advertise for a paid secretary to the branch.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to tlie retiring secretary, Mr J. Beat son (whose position was purely an honorary one), for Hie invaluable services which he had rendered to the branch since its inception. Tho following committee was elected :—Messrs H. Hassail, Baxter, Per* rival. E. J. Watt, -J. Kbbetl, Collison, I Horns. R. Welhvood. T. A. Williams. W. Bridgman. T. Crosse, A. Masters. A. H. Russell, A. McLean, W. Davev. M. Chambers, W. Richmond. J. C. Main. C. Brown, Ambrose Well wood. A. Speers, J. Beaison and C. A. FitzRoy.

A number of new members were, elected. CORRESPONDENCE. Mr .1. G. Wilson, president of the Farmers’ Union, wrote urging that the union should start a newspaper of its own. Mr Wilson paid the highest tribute to the press of the colony but thought that a purely farmers’ paper would he most acceptable lo farmers. Mr Crosse and Mr E. J. Watt said they did not agree with Mr Wilson. The pul die press as at present constituted had done as much for the union as it was possible for newspapers to do. All meetings were reported faithfully, and there did not seem to be much need for improvement. It wa.s resolved’ “That this branch’s delegate to the Colonial Executive be instructed not to favour the establish ment of a union paper/’ The Chairman (Mr Canning) and Mr T. Crosse were appointed delegates to the provincial conference to la* held at Waipnkurau on tho 21st instant.

MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE. Mr Russell (Provincial Uhairmnn) moved that a branch of the Mutual Firo Insurance Association ho started by the Hawke’s Bay provincial district. Ho said he could not give the exact details in connection with the formation of a branch. These would have to ho arranged when the company was formed. Rut lie thought that he could safely guarantee that the premiums on risks would he very much lower Ilian (he rales charged by outside companies—probably 10 per cent for the (irst year, and a lower rati’ as the branch accumulated funds. The Act provided that 100 persons, showing £40.000 of property, must insure to admit of the formal ion of a branch. This would not he a serious dillicully Tlie only difficulty that he saw was that it was improbable that I lie branch would he aide to lake out risks in very large amounts from any one man. This probably would militate against large owners insuring. The chief point was that with ordinary insnranee companies, the premium was 13s per cent., whereas the premium in the Mut-ual would not he higher than 10, and possibly would ho much lower. Mr Crosse seconded the motion, and said that ho could see that the association must l*e a Loon to farmers. There would ho no dividends to pay, and if there was not an unusual number of fires for the first year, lie was absolutely certain that the premium rate would he much lower than quoted by the mover.

Tim motion was carried, and Urn delegates were instructed to support the movement at the provincial meeting. THE RABBIT QUESTION.

Mr Watt moved, ‘That the action of t-ho Hawke’s Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society, at tlicit' meeting on Friday, I*l fully endorsed by the branch.” Mr (.fosse, who seconded the motion, explained what bad been done at tho meeting mentioned, Mr Alex. McLean, a member of the Hawke's Bav Babbit Board, had given notice that ho would move at the. next meeting of tho iioard (.hat the entire control of tho extermination of rabbits should lie taken over by the board. This, Mr

Croaso explained, did not meet with the approval of the members of tho Agricultural and Pastoral Society, who wwfc thoroughly satisfied with the present administration of tin* Rabbit Ad, and thought that a change such as was proposed by Mr McLean would lead to a much more expensive and less oflicient service.

Mr A. If. Russell said lie had a few fads to lay la-fore the meeting, which might infill ‘tice the members in voting on Mr Crowd's motion. In the Hawke's Pay rabbit district there were 1.647.892 acres, It included the Hawke’s Bay, Waipawa, Woodville, and I’.itangal;t counties, and abo the Weber district, and extended north to the Miiliaka river. The cattle on this area numbered 134,426. of which 79,857 wero rateable. The lota! number of sheep was 2.833,671. of whiel, 2,641.446 wero rateable. Me contended that one rahhiter could safely work 20.000 acres, wages £l2O per annum. This would mean about 82 men for the whole dis trict, at a total -wage cost of £9840 per rear, equalling an extra rate of 2d per head on sheep and 7>2<l on entile. Tin* work done under the present system Was not satisfactory. The money had not been expended as judu'ionsly as it might have h°en, Rabbits had lieen allowed to multiply on some plane* at the expense of o( Iters. One had a. good rabbitev, who kej/t the pest at hav, while his neighbour employed an Inditlerenl man. who allowed'rabbits to multiply and therefore nolliiii'd the etforts of the more e,aretul owner. There seemed to be uc quest ion. the speaker said, that if tile administration was under one direct control, more satisfaction must be obtained than under the present system Tim present Act did not give l>oards power to secure convictions and inflict penalties on calenders, and was very hampering. There were plague spots in (he Hawke’s Ray rabbit district. which, although not directly concerning the farmers present, were a. serious Mh.-naee, and it was time that llm thinkers turned their thoughts in the direction of dealing with such spots before- they became more dangerous.

Mr Fitzßoy said it seemed to him that there a great difference between the settlers in the open and those in the bush districts. The open country settlers cmhavoured to keep their holdings clear of the pesf, while those of the bush did not take very active steps in the matter. It was high time, the speaker thought. Hint a responsible body should take over the entire control of affairs, and make settlers either clear their holdings of tho pest or pav for Hn*m being cleared. Mr Crosse said Mr McLean’s system might he cheaper, but he was certain that the results woidd not he half so satisfactory. In Hawke’s Bay there were some very dirty places. The hoard were doing good work on these —work which could not be. done so efficient fy under other circumstances. Mr* Walt said he wished to poin-c out that the Agricultural and Pastoral Society di<( not condemn Mr McLean’s motion. They recognised that the Hawke’s Bay Rabbit Board li-id done incalculable good in the past, and they were perfectly assured that this good work would continue. Under the proposed system of entire control l»v the lioard Hie work must become v v ry cumbersome, and wmplicaicd. The recommendations of Hie Agricultural and Pastoral Society wiere formulated with a desirn not to alter Hie Rabbit Art in its entirety, hut to amend it in the interests and for tho benefit of Hawke’s Bay, 1 hereby giving the authorities a freer hand to deal with the pest in a more rigorous manner than heretofore.

Mr Watt’s motion was then put and carried. VETERINARY SOGEOX. In reply to an inquiry from Mr Watt, it was sialed by Mr Russell (Provincial fliairman) that tile services of the veterinary surgeon would be free to all members of the union who were not three months in arreais with their subscriptions. There would be no fa.vour shown first come, lir.st served. Some discretion, of course, vsouhi 1m allowed. .Should an urgent cause clash with a less serious one. the surgeon would certainly att-nd the urgent case lirst. A schedule of the surgeon's itinerary would he ported in tin* office of every branch. Conveyance outside his ordinary route, extra assistance wlum required, and medicines would have to lx* provided for by thoso who n-quired the surgeon’s services. This concluded the business of tho meeting.

Mr Canning, before leaving the chair, said that when he. was canvassing for member.-* tlmmgliout the year, ho bad often been met with the assertion that the union was purely a squatters’ combination. This, ns all thoso who were iiieinbi rs knew, was incorrect. JTo need only say that the membership of (lie Hastings branch numbered 104. Seventy of these were small holder-, the remaining thirty-four were so-call-ed squatters. These figures should speak for themselves. The meeting then adjourned.