N.Z. Farmers' Union.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 15 November 1918, Page 3

N.Z. Farmers' Union.

MAN'IOTOTO BRANCH. The quarterly meeting of tbe above branch waa held at Wedderburn on Saturday afternoon, those present being—Messrs C. Inder (chair), J. Nicolson, T. Lindsay, D. Nicolson, J. Lobb. H. Law, E. Dow, R. G. Shaw and j! W. Reed. Messrs L\ Duncan and T. A. Lowis forwarded apologies for absence. Minutes. The minutes of thg last meeting, held at Patearoa, were read,, and confirmed on the motion of Messrs Lindsay and Dow. The War. Before commencing the business, tbe chairman made a few brief references to the war, and expressed sympathy with those who had lost relatives and friends in it. Mr H. Law Law then suggested a verse of the National Anthem wbich was sung with enthusiasm. - ° Correspondence. There was a certain "amount of formal correspondence. Some of it relative -to the erecting of a post office at Patearoa. The authorities wrote stating that arrangements had be*-n made for the erection of one. , In reply to the remit suggesting the appointment of org misers, the Provincial Secretary wrote that' had they bat n able to find the mon«y >a canvasser would bave.be c n appointed long ago. bin the difficulty was in financing what was rather a big undertaking with limited funds.

Ihe county clerk wrote—l am directed to inform you that the question of'the form of a suitable memorial to commemorate tb= heroic services of Maniotsto fallen soldiers should take, was the subject of discussion at tbe last meeting of the County Council. It whs suggested that yoti should brmt; t -is matter before next meeting of ti'e Farmers' Unicn, and to appoint delegates to meet a committee of this council to recommend the form it should take. A knowledge of the nature of memorials other local bodies have in view, would be of great benefit when the matter comes under discussion.

A circular latter by the Commissioner for the Otago Military District stated that the mniissonfer of Taxes had agreed to allow stock owners to write up tho value of their slock for i~com« tax purposes as at Ist Aoril 1914.

The latter concession probably won't effect many local settlers. The chairman pointed out how it might affect anyone selling out, and quoted an instance. If stock were entered in the returns at prices ruling before April Ist, 1914, and the owner i u ad to sell, iDcome tax would havs to be ! paid on the difference between the priro quoted and the selling price. The letter was received, and on the motion of Messrs I'Obb and Lindsay, the executive were thanked for their efforts in the matter. Fallen Soldiers' Memorial.

Mr Law moved —That the union j give 3 its hearty support to anjtbing I thai is done to commemorate theheoric tfee t is of these fallen at the front, and j that the following delegates be ap- ;j pointed to meet the delegates of the County Council:—Messrs J. Lobb, W. Mawhumey, M'Sk-imming and Lunan (Mr J. W. Reed to take Mr Lobb's place in the event of that gentleman being unable to attend.) —Seconded by Mr Dow and carried.

Places of Meeting. The suggestion made at Patearoa to change the dates of the Patearoa and Wedderburn meetings (as the winter weather made travelling at- the Patearoa side of the plain bo difficult for members) was agreed to on th# motion of Messrs Dow and Shaw. Accident In : urance. The secretary of the Provincia 1 Executive wrote that provided sufficient support was given by members, an accident branch of the insurance business wouH be started asat3lst March. The rates for a commencement wuuld be ten per cent lower than those of other companies, but only those who had fire insurance business with.the association would ba able to take advantage of the low rates. The meeting considered that the latter condiu-.n was-wrong; that any member should be entit!e:l to the benefits, especially any who did not have a fire insurance with other companies. The secretary was requested to write for further information. War Loans. Kesoived. That the branch approves of the action ;?f the executive in protesting against the issue cf loans free of iricome tax, and that the member for the district be . asked for aia assistance in ths matter. Babbits. A suggestion in the excerpts from report of the last meeting of the executive thai the Government should give a bonus for rabbit destruction during the summer months and that the exportation of rabbits and rabbitskins should be encouraged, did not find favour. It was ttonght that prices were a sufficient inducement to encourage exportation and. the bonus was objected to. A more reasonable r-fmedy was the providing' o? wire netting at- a reduced price.

Mr D. Nicolson thought the Government depots should supply strychniued oats, ana ttaht smaller quantities . than 231bs of pollard should be obtainable. Mr Law said that if they dissolved the poison in water insteau of in bisulphide of carbon the rabbits would take, it better. Home-made poison was best. Bisulphide was often used as a fumigation for holes and rabbits soon recognised the smell. Besides, the cost of bisulphide made the pollard daarer than it need be. He moved That in trio opinion of this branch the poiaon should be dissolved in water, as the rabbits would take it more readily than when mixsd with bisulphide of carbon. —Seconded by .Mr Lindsay and carried. Un the motion of Messrs D. Nicolaon and Dow, it was resolved —That the Government be requested to supply farmers- with strychnined oats from the depot, in the same way as they supply pollard poison; as this poison | could be used for both rabbits and birds, | Resignation. Mr Law ; said that having disposed o£

his property, lie regretted that he ] would have to sever.his connection with i the union, as be would probably ba j leaving the district shortly. j The chairman expressed regret ht ! losing Mr Law and on behalf of the union wished him success in whatever locality he might settle down. >. Thanks. Mr Lobb proposed the usual vote of thanks to the chairman and secretary, which concluded the meeting.