N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XL, Issue XL, 3 February 1911, Page 4

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Maniototo Branch. •■-'■ The quarterly meeting of the .branch was held in the Kyeburn Hall on Saturday afternoon. Present—Messrs R. Scott, M.P. (chairman), Greer (secretary), Pearson, GJendinning, Crutchltiy, C. Inder, Williamson, Lunan and Taylor. Minute 3. The minutes of the last quarterly at Wedderburn on November 12th, 1910, were read and confirmed. ■ ! Correspondence. The proposals passed on to the branch from the Provincial Executive and held over from the last meeting Were read and dealt with, viz. - " That as the present system of valuing land for taxation purposes has pioved a complete failure, owing to t&9 impossibility of accurately separating ihe improved from the unimpcoved value, thisjconference consideis • much fairer and much simpler way would be to tax un the annual value, wltk the same exemptions as capital invested in other industries, the annual value to be 6 per cent, of the capital ▼Slue." 'Mr Lunan said he understood that at' present the tax was based on the unimproved value.

The Chairman explained that the question affected the North Island more particularly, , where in many instances tbey had gone in for a deal of bushfell • ing and draining. After a few years yop could not say that these improvements existed. Therefore the unimproved value of the land went up. Mr Williamson thought that in these caeeß the annual value would be afaiier way of taxation.

Mr Crutchley expressed the opinion tbat there was nothing to be gained bv altering the present method, and Mr Scott and Mr Inder expressed similar opinions. -

Moved by Mr Inder, and seconded by Mr Lunan—That in the opinion of this branch the present system of valuing has proved satisfactory in this district.—Carried.

: - M That in the opinion of this conference, it is necessary in the interests tit both wool-growers and buyers, that all owners of 1000 sheep and over •hould have a registered brand, and no two owners of 1000 sheep and over should be allowed to have the same brand."

Mr Glendinning thought it woald.be a first rate idea to have a registered wool brand, and to have if registered according to the name of the place, and so do away with initials. Then if the owner died or sold tbe property the produce would be sold under the old name. Besides, people would know to whom the references in the .wool catalogues referred. At Horae an auctioneer selling stock would not say these are Mr So-and-so's sheep, but would mention the name of the farm.

Mr Williamson remarked that perhaps everybody was not anxious for others to know.

Mr' Greer pointed out that to carry out that idea it would be; necessary to compel everybody to have a name for his place. Mr Glendinning moved, Mr Crutchley seconded, and it was carried—That the branch supports the remit that •wool brands be registered. That the question with reference to freehold put to candidates at Parliamentary elections be added to as follows —And will you take active :»teps, and assist to the utmost, to have the optional system brought into force and made applicable in every caße to all Crown lands, and lands for iettlement lands."

Mr Williamson was strongly in favour of the optional tenure, but would not like to. absolutely tie a member down.

Mr Inder said the question waß practically what they already asked, but it was not advisable to make it too tight.

_ A resolution in support of tha motion was carried.

" That this conference is of opinion that the following proposition is of B*fficient importance: to warrant the •erious consideration of the Dominion Conference, and refers it for its consideration, viz.—That the - whole of the Union branches throughout the Dominion be formed into a systematic land and estate agency for the benefit of those who want to sell, buy or lease, or exchange property,' and also to financially assist the union." 5 The meeting resolved that it was not in favour of the suggestion. Balclutha.—" That this branch recommends that all fat stock be sold by live weight, and that weighing machines be erected in all the municipal ssleyards in the Dominion.".

m Mr-Scott said that at the meeting of the conference the secretary was instructed to write to the Saleyards Co. asking what it would cost to put in a weighing machine and the approximate cost of weighing. -. Mr Glendinning. drew a rough plan of a saleyard at Home, showing tne. simplicity of the method of weighing. Mr Lunan said all cattle should be weighed; in different districts their weight varied considerably. Mr Glendinning thought that* butchers through buying every week had • considerable pull over farmers who •nly sold a few head occasionaly. A resolution in favour of the proposition was cairied.

The Spread of Canadian Thistle. Mr Greer said that on account of what he had seen himself and of what several people had said to him, he intended to move onthe above subject. In the meantime the Stock Department was not bothering about it, considering that in a country so dry it was not going to spread to any great extent. But there" were some patches of land on which it could do a lot of barm. Farmers, as a rule, did not like to tell inspectors to come and worry _ them, but it was better that the evil should be nipped in the bud. The Stock Department should look •fter the patches they know of. FarMere would not trouble unless com • pelled. He was going to suggest that the Stock Department should be required to keep the weed down.

Mr Taylor remarked there were a lot of thistles along the railway lines. Mr Scott thought, it was for the farmers themselves to take steps. He knew of one patch of Californian thistles since he came to the country. He did not consider the Canadian thistle such a menace as sweet brier. That matter would yei prove a trouble to small runholders.

Mr Glendinning thought it would be better to pass a reeolution } asking farmers to deal with the Canadian thistle.

Mr Greer said that if only onetenth of the.farmers neglected to do so, they would , soon have the good patches covered with the weed. After a little further discussion Mr Greer moved—That the branch bring under the notice of the Stock Department that Canadian thistle is spreading and that they be asked to take action to prevent its spread. Speaking to the motion, Mr Greer Raid that the thistle was going to cause trouble on the Sowburn. A stock inspector told him that they were instructed riot to bother with it here, as it would not spread.

Mr Inder said that many patches of Canadian thistles were not spreading to any great extent, but on cultivated ground ofa Bimilar nature it did spread fast. The reserves were polluted, and the Government should take its share of the work. The seeds would travel with the wind and pollute places perhaps a mile or two away. Mr Scott suggested that it might be better to ascertain from the Minister if such instructions had been issued by the department to stock inspectors. Mr Crutchley thought tfiey had better leave the matter alone; and created some amusement by asking Mr Greer why he did not bring the matter up at Ranfurly instead of coming down there to get them into trouble. Mr Lunan seconded Mr Greer's motion pro forma, He said that on the Swinburn the thistles were first on the I mountains but were now all along the i course of the creeß.

Mr Inder said if the Govenment did not clear the reserves it would be hard work for the farmers to' clear their places. The motion was lost. That concluded the business.