FARMERS’ UNION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16569, 5 June 1914, Page 9

FARMERS’ UNION.

OTAGO PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. [Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, June 4. At tho annual meeting of the Otago Provincial Council of tho Farmers’ Union , to-day tho chairman drew attention to tho fact that the membership had increased by forty 1 per cent. He said tho year nad been successful for farmers, prices for primary products having been excellent, with perhaps two exceptions. These wero wheat and cats. The decline in the price of oats was clue to tho use of electric and motor traction in towns and motor traction in the country. In future oats would be grown practically for homo consumption only. Tho meeting gave attention to strikes _ and the best method of prevention. The discussion showed that tile majority of m-iiiDers soon recognised that it was a difficult matter to determine the best method. The opiiiion was generally expressed that it Was impossible to prevent strikes by legislation. Tho best plan appeared to be to minimise the effect of strikes by forcing people to think and act slowly. One member saw a solution of the problem in tho establishment of legislation preventing unions from federating but a chorus of members pointed out that tho Farmers’ Union would come under such an Act. This member strongly maintained his position, contending that labour unions and farmers were apart as regarded tho effects of federation. Tho farmers never thought of striking. Other members expressed the opinion that it was necessary to avoid making legislation tyrannical to labour unions. Eventually it was resolved to postpone consideration until after the proposals of tho Government had boon disclosed. Mr D. M. Philip, the chairman, dealing with tho Board of Agriculture, said ho did not altogether approvo of tho manner of election to the Board by tlio Agricultural and Pastoral Associations. Ho thought the election would be better made through the Farmers’ Union, i A large percentage of members of tho! Agricultural and Pastoral Associations; wero business people, and the nominations were apt to bo more influenced by a man’s popularity than by his qualifications, whereas if tho election were made by the Farmers’ Unions every farmer would have a voice in tho matter by joining tho Union. | Tho report and balance-sheet wero adopted. Mr James Begg (Clinton) was elected president for tho ensuing year, and Mr R. M’Kenzie (Palmerston) vice-president; delegates to the dominion Conference, tho uresident and Mr A. Fraser (Lawrence). |

A proposal that the Government should be asked to reduce the freight on hardwood timber was referred to the dominion Conference. It was decided to ask merchants to import 31b sacks, 1 as the present light ones would not stand handling. Other resolutions car- j ried were:—That consignees should be 1 advised by the , Railway Department, by post, telegraph or telephone, of tho 1 arrival of goods at stations in 1 country districts; that the Government 1 should* be asked to appoint an expert < grader to grade all imported fertilisers 1 and guanos from the Pacific Islands, | * and fertilisers made in tho dominion, and give a certificate as to fertilising qualities; that the Minister of Agriculture should he asked for the services of an itinerant instructor to undertake short course for sons of farmers; that jjo reform of the Legislative Council would be satisfactory that will endanger the country quota and that docs not provide for tho simultaneous election of both Houses, and does not provide for an appeal to the. country in the case of a deadlock in either House; that the Minister of Agriculture be asked to appoint an analyst to lecture in. the various agricultural districts on soil analysis and artificial manures. A proposal was made that the Government should he asked to provido training farms near tho four main centros, where city boys may learn the rudiments of aerriculturo and. afterwards. if suitable, be apprenticed to farmers on tho lines of tho Sedgwick boys, and that such training farms bo provided for the training of immigrant boys and men on similar lines. The motion was referred to the dominion Conference.

MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION. [Pub Peess Association.] DUNEDIN, Juue 4. The anuual meeting of the Mutual Fire Insurance Association of the Otago Farmers’ Union was hold this morning. Tho directors reported another successful year The total insurances at date were £187,162, a substantial increase on the previous year. There was a long discussion as to the independence or interdependence of the fire and accident branches, during which it was stated that accident risks were being taken by the insurance companies at rates which it was doubtful if tho mutual system could entertain. That had not been tho case with fire risks. It was decided that the matter should be left over until after the Wellington conference.