N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 945, 14 September 1901, Page 5

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

BKANCII FOItMED AT CLINTON. A very large and enthusiastic meeting of farmers was held in the Town Hall, Clinton, on Thursday afternoon last, for the purpose of forming a branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. On the motion of Mr T. Taylor, Mr John Clarke, the convenor of the meeting, was voted to the chair. Mr Clarke said he felt he was only voicing the opinion of those present when he said the time had arrived for forming a union. He apologised for the absence of the assistant organiser, Mr Fisher, and read a letter from that gentleman expressing his regret at his inability to be present. Mr Claike, having read jjtbe objects of the Union, called on Mr Daniel Ularke, a member of the Gore branch, to explain the steps necessary to be taken by the meeting. Mr D. Clarke said they seemed to be all agreed that it was necessary to form themselves into a Union, otherwise they would be Unioued off the face ot the earth. The Government were encouraging labor unions all over the country, but the farmers bad to pay for it all in the long run. In order to stait a branch it was nccesfmy to have a memheship of litty. Then they had t> .'Vet a committee oi from S to 13. Members would be admitted on payment of one : hilling and an annual subscription of 2s. Mr Olsen moved that a branch of the Union be formed, to be called the Clinton Farmers' Union. He thought tbat the way things were being worked in Parliament was a disgrace to the country. Capital was being driven out of the colony, and people would soon be diiven out of their homes. Toe sooner they joined hands and fought the better. Mr A. Mathieson seconded the motion. Mr .1 is. h'e- r |- mo\ed ihat a eommitiec of 8 be form. d. Jle was (.dad to sre such a large gathering < f fanners present at list willing to join and look after their own interests. He believed in paying men good wages, but if they allowed town Unions to have things all their own way, they would not be able to pay wages at all. The following committee were then elected:—Messrs John Clark, H. Toliu e, Watt, Miller, Jas. Begg, Tait, Mathieson, T. Taylor and McGregor. At this stage all farmers present came forward, paid their entrance fee, and received their membership cards. A meeting of the committee was held immediately afterwards, when the following officebearers were elected :—Chairman, Mr John Claike; Secretary, Mr A. McDonald; treasurer, Mr Jas. Begg ; auditor, Mr Douglas; delegate to the Provincial Conference, Mr T. Taylor. It was decided to have a meeting of the branch in about a fortnight, when it is expected Mr Glass, the organising secretary will be present. A vote of thanks to Mr Clarke for the interest he had taken in the movement concluded the business.

That most popular musical combination — the McAdoo Jubilee Singers—is to open at the Town Hall on Monday for one night only. Too much cannot be paid in praise of the excellence of the entertainments given by the company, and the hope is not vain that a crowded house will greet its. appcau nee on Monday evening. An excellent illustration of the phenominal increase in the value of horseflesh was afforded at the Glenham estate clearing sale yesterday. A draught mare which was sold as a six-year-old at a sale in the district ten years ago for £lO, was sold yesterday for £35 10s.

During the short time that the meat for consumption in the Borough of Mataura has been killed and inspected at the local abattoirs, two prime bullocks (one a iine-lookiug beast costing £7) have been condemned by Mr Cunningham, the Government vet. The following encouraging district dredging returns are reported:— Waimumu Central 31oz ldwt, Waimumu Extended 330z 4dwt, Charlton Creek 30nz, Central Charlton 28oz 13dwt, Central Mataura No. 2 220z 15dwt, Lady Charlton 7oz lGdwt. The friends of Trooper McMeeken, of Otama, who is a member of the sixth contingent, will be pleased to hear that he has been promoted to be' Farrier-sergeant. Trooper McMeeken has gone through the campaign so far without the loss of a day through illness. There was a good attendance at the weekly meeting of the Gore Young Men's Society on Wednesday evening. An invitation was received from the Gore Girls' Literary Club inviting membeis <i the Society to the reading of their Journal next Monday evening. The debate for the evening was "Is the World Growing Better ? " the Eev. H. Beggs supporting the affirmative and Mr S. Nicolson the negative side. Both of these gentlemen gave splendid instances bow the world has groxvn and how it is growing. Mr Beggs divided his side into four parts, namely, commercial, political, social, and the moral world, and dealt with each one in a clear and lucid manner. A hearty vole of thanks was accorded both gentlemen for the able way they upheld their respective sides. A popular concert in connection with the course of lectures is to bo held next Wednesday evening. The third Journal of the session will be read by the e.utors (Messrs H. Bradmore and W. Calder) on the 25th inst., Journal night to be an open night. During a discission on the question of increasing the representation of the Southland County Council on the Bluff Harbor Board, at yesterday's meeting of the former body, t'-ie chairman (Councillor ltaymond) said at picsent the farmers were not represented on the Board excopt indirectly through Mr Watson and himself. At this, Councillor McQueen suggested, amid laughter: " Oh, then, you farm we farmers." O'Meara and Co. have freehold for sale. Gore Borough Council Cemetery Bill advertised. Team wanted to put in 25 acres oat?.