FARMERS' UNION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 26 September 1908, Page 1

FARMERS' UNION.

B MEETING OF WAKAPUAKA BRANCH. A mooting of thle Wakepuaio Branch of the Farmers' Union wm hold at the Hillside schoolroom, a good attendan&o of members being pr.scut. Mr C. J. Ruffell, Branch President, was in the chair. Mr Ivo Tunnicliffe Provincial President, being present. ,was heartily welcomed, and asked tn occupy a chair at the table. Mr. Ruffell explained that that tho Exoc.itive (meeting at Richmond on toe previous day) had dealt with t'ae Shearers' Act and the Second Ballet Bill, in opposing them both, and passed a resolution asking our membivs to oppose iluin. ■■'- ret Jiili. "i v>as passed expressing every confidence in Mr Justice Sim as hend of iii« Arbitration Court. Tho Provincial President, Mr Tunnicliffe, by request addressed the meeting. He explained at some length the advantages of pushing the Union forward, saying what a vast Ideal of good can be done by the farmers! combining and Hooking after their own interests. Ho also pave b wood deal of information in reference to the business that \._.s transacted at the Colonial Conference, which hns just recently been held at Wellngton. On resuming his seat he was loudly applauded. On the motion of Mr Ruffell. seconded by Mr Gill, a very heaity vote of thanks was passed to Mr Tunnicliffe for his very able and interesting address. I Proposed by Mr Morrison, seconded by Mr W. Gill, and carried, that this Branch heartily supports tho action of the Provincial Executive on the resolution they passed in reference to the actions of Judge Sim over the Canterbury farm labourers' dispute. 1 On the eonclu9ion of the meeting an interesting discussion took place on County Council matters, several speakers taking part therein. Some of the speakers took strong exception to the action of the Council in prohibiting the wapgons from carrying the usual quantity of timber during tho past few months, and saying that, in their opinion, all that was necessary was to stop the waggons from carrying the ordinary loads in wet weather. Other spoakrrs thought the Council >vas doing quite rijrbf. Another matter whicb was rather severely dealt with was the inroea?o<l staff and cost of management nt tV Hospital. The oponion freely expressed was that the Charitablo Aid rate was rather high. A hearty vote of thanks to the -hairman terminated a very successful meting.