SOUTHLAND MILLOWNERS' ASSOCIATION.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1146, 10 February 1903, Page 2

SOUTHLAND MILLOWNERS' ASSOCIATION.

MEETING IN GORE. A meeting of the above Association was held in Mr W. F. Inder's office on Saturday afternoon, when there were present Messrs R. Boag (president), A. McLachlan (secretary) ai d II members. Several matters of interest to millowners were discussed. The President said that the Southland County Council bad decided to charge traction engine owners a fee of £2 annually.

tNBCBAKCE. The secretary said tbat he had been in the habit of paying 25s a year for insuring bis men, while others were getting the same policy for £1 in the same company. This was an unsatisfactory slate of affairs. Mr Howson said that he was taking advantage of the Farmers' Union insurance. He always ran his mill as a miliowner, anAwhen he arrived on a farm with his mill the risk was in the farmer's hands. He did not consider himself responsible for accidents outside his own place.

The secretary said that no members, go far I as he knew, were insured tor this year. WgM tho Union could guarantee that ail members would insure in one company a substantial reduction might be secured. He heard that the Government oilioe was going to chime lm this year. B

Mr A. McKay moved that the secretary ascertain the rales of the different insurance companies to insure, gay, for 18 owners. Mr Kay seconded. The secretary said that there seemed to be a certain amount of doubt as to who was responsible in the ease of accidents. Most millowners, it seemed, had taken advice on the matter, and were of opinion that the owner was responsible. Ownera were often shifting, and it would be better for the Union to insure the men and charge the farmers for it. He considered that when owners engaged men the men were certainly employees. He said he would try and get a concession in insurance, and if this could be effected owners would see that there were benefits to be derived from" the Union. They might get the majority of owners in Southland to join then. sunsciiimoji. It was resolved that subscriptions date from the present time, and that new members pay 11 on entering the Union—los entrance fee and 10s subscription. MUCK Or TimiCSIHNO. The secretary said that if tho Union fixed a price for threshing it was binding, and they could not thresh for a leas figure. Other owners might cut the price, and they would not be able to depart from their rate. Any resolution they passed would be binding on tbera. The date of the annual meeting was lixed for January instead of February. The secretary said that £lB had been received for subscriptions. The expenditure to date amounted to £l3 l'jj 2d, leaving a credit balance in hand of £ I 0a lOd. A It was rpsolved that Mr George Crosbie be A refunded £2 (the amount of bis guarantee). Mr Howson asked the question whether an owner, if selling his plant oould transfer interest in the Union to the buyer. It was agreed that this was desirable. Mr It. Boag, president, tendered his nation as president. Be said that sold his threshing plant, and would be leaving the district. f This was accepted with expressions of regret, and Mr D. Kay, Mataura, was elected. This concluded the business.