FARMERS’ UNION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17285, 28 September 1916, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION.

NORTH CANTERBURY BRANCH. The North Canterbury Branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union met yesterday; present—Messrs D. Jones (in the chair), W. J. Patchett, J. J. Horrell, W. Bailey, C. Benjamin, T. J. Henley, R. Evans, J. O’Hallorau, G. Gardner, G. W. Leadlcy and G. Hubhard.

Mr O’Halloran reported that the Oxford branch had not received the promised refund from the Railway Department on the carriage of lime. It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of Mr Evans. Lieutonant-Colonel Cossgrovo, Dominion Chief Scout, wrote asking the union whether tho Scouts would be useful to farmers during the coming season.

The chairman said that a similar letter had been sent to the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, which was holding a conference. The secretary, reported having; replied that the union would be willing to consider the ' employment of individual Scouts if necessary. The reply was approved. The following motion was passed:— “That this union is informed by experts that 41b per cent of the weight of meat hilled for export would be ample for covering any loss through cooling, and that wo regard the present deduction of 0 per cent as excessive.’’ Mr Gardner said that the union might consider the possibilities of lucerne on Canterbury waste lands. He moved that the union should ask the Government to have the Field Supervisor’s (Mr Macpherson) lecture on lucerne, published in the ‘ Journal.” Tho motion was carried.