FARMERS' UNION.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 1947, 16 June 1913, Page 7

FARMERS' UNION.

THE GORGE AND LIME KILNS,

The executive oJ the above met. on Saturday, Mr J. Wingate presiding. The Chairman reporte > that the committee appointed had not yet visited the limestone deposits in the Manawatu Gorge. Ho had spoken to several farmers aud they were of opinion that it would be very desirable to make further investigations, and in the event, of kiins being established in the Gorge the cost of limo woul be cheapened to many farmers along the coast. The following letter was also read from Mr J. H. Escott, of Weodville: —Re limestone deposits in the Gorge.—The limestone mentioned is contained in a reserve of 70 acres known as the Ferry Reserve at present leased at a yearly rental of 10s per aero on a seven years' lease to Mr R. B. Ross, the land not having more than two years to run. For many years the lease was not taken up as it containo . a clause that the leasee must erect a lime kiin and burn lime. It was thought that the condition was : eleteJ when it was let. At anyrate no lime liiln has been erected. The land adjoins the Gorge railway station an a largo amount of limestone couli easily be procured. If a kiln was erected it would certainly prove a great benefit to the district.

Several members spoko in favour of some action being taken to establish tiio lime kilns and pointed out that tho quality ha * been reported to bo as good as could bo procured in any part of the Dominion. It was also pointed out that as the Dominion Conference of Farmers were moving in the matter that this branch woul await further developments before taking any action. The question of preference clauses caino up for \discussion and the members were strongly against a man having to join a union Lel'ore he could get employment. Mr Gardener said the law in regard to inspection of stockyards should bo rigidly enforced and that absolute cleanliness should be observed. If they had not sufficient inspectors, then tho Government should appoint more. ,Mr Maule sated that a good deal of the trouble was duo to milking machines not being kept- clean. New Zealand was not the only country to blame in this respect. There was another element in the case and that was co-operution between co-opera- j rive and private concerns. Two such j institutions working side by side encouraged a supplier to go from one to the other and no questions were asked regarding cleanliness, and any kind of milk was accepted without question. There is also something wrong at the other end, remarked the Chairman,' and better control is required in the Old Country uatil such time as the butter reaches the consumer. Mr 51.au.1e believed that there was very little butter sold as New Zealand butter on the Home market. Mr Balsillie considered something more should be done to gather in the outlying farmers in the nature of sub-branches. He favoured an organiser being appointed to go round the farmers with the object of giving addresses in back country districts. He also favoured a small subscription iu order to get farmers j to join the ranks of the Union. In fact if they got the members as lion, members it would strengthen the combination and influence of the i Union.

The Chairman argued that hen. members would answer the purpose just as well, providing the Union had their support and sympathy. Mr Matheson stated that the Union, and particularly Palmerston Branch, were not sensational enough, and they should have far more remits to go before the general conference.

The Chairman oxplained that wlieD "they had burning questions the members took more interest, but when matters were placid the farmers were also placid, and nothing short of a sensation would arouse them. Mr J. Teale was elected to the committee.

It was decided that Mr Balsillie and the Chairman draw up u report regarding the possibility of establishing country sub-branches, and as to whether any fee or not should be charged for admitting such country members.