N.Z. FARMERS UNION

Nelson Evening Mail, 17 May 1917, Page 5

N.Z. FARMERS UNION

NELSON PROVIN€IA\L CONFERENCE. •

,The annual conference of the Nelson Provincial District Farmers' Union was, held at the Institute to-day. The President (Mr W. Thorn) occupied the chair, arid there were! pre-. sent: Messrs F. Whitwell (Vice-Presi-dent), W. D. Harkness (hon. secretary and treasurer), C. P. Hugonin (Kojiatu), B. M. Field (Thorpe), K: G k Goocfeli -(Tadmor), Geo. Dodson (Afcawhai), R. H'. Turner (Redwood's Valley), G. L. Meat! (iviotupiko), E. W. Frost (Wakapuaka), Al Wilkinson (Stanley Brook), G. Winter (Takaka), members'of the Executive, aivtif the following delegates: Messrs C. mor and J. Eatwell (Stanley Brook), Drummond (Matariki), J. Thorn (Dovedale)," R. C. Withers (Wakapuaka), H. T. €ook (Waimea), G. Macmahon (Ko-rere-Mptupiko), -. G.. Page and F. WFalconer (Takaka). Mr R. P. Hudson;, iMIP., was also present by invitation. : ttlie -President, in his address, reported that there had been an increase in ]the membership of the Union, and much keener interest was being taken ttjan formerly. As the result of a visit by the Executive to Tapawera, a company had been formed to work the lime deposits at Kaka, and it was hoped the farmers would benefit. As the result of their efforts in conjunction with others,. Nelson had been declared a valuing portlor wool, which was a great advantage to farmers. He referred to the operations of the Meat Trust, and hopefl that • action would be taken to prevent.the exploitation of the New Zealand farmers. Tho. Chairman impressed on x the meeting the necessity of the farmers -combining to protect their own interests. He spoke of the formation of a Committee of Advice as recommended by the-(National Efficiency Board, and mentioned' the efforts made by the Government to increase the wheat supply. '_* Correspondence was dealt with as follows : From the " Mai'lborough Farmers* Union, suggesting the formation of. a Producers' iShipninp- Company, with a capital of £5, OOOiOOO.—Referred to a committee consisting of Messrs Thorn, Cook, and Harkness to draw tin a re : solution to be forwarded- to the Farmers* Union. " ' " . '';-'■' . From the Wairarapa Patriotic Association, enclosing resolutions passed at a meeting of the Executive Committe,'©' to improved land for returned soldiers; that Jf suitable land is not offeie'd' fbi* purchase voluntarily the Executive recommend that a war regulation be provided for the purpose of acquiring t.Jve -(Left sitting.)