FARMERS' UNION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume L, Issue 175, 24 October 1917, Page 8

FARMERS' UNION

MEETING- OF PROVINCIAL

EXECUTIVE.

A meeting of the Nelson Provincial Executive of the Farmers' Union was held at the "Nelson Institute yesterday. Mr Walter Thorn (Richmond), the President, was in the chair," and there were . also present:—Messrs _, F. " Whitwell (Wakapuaka), Vice-President; W.' D. Harkness (Richmond) secretary; C. Hugonin, Kokatu; G. LT Mead, Motupikb; J. Jordan, Stanley Brook; GeoDodson, Atawhai; Alf. Wilkinson. Stanley Brook; W. Jeffries, Bainham; G. Winter, Motupipi; H. G. Cooke, Appleby ; J. G. Page, Takaka * Jos Thorn, Dovedale. On the motion of the President, a reof sympathy was passed with the secretary (Mr W D. Harkness) •whose son was recently seriously wounded in France. It was resolved that the business at the next annual meeting commence at 11.30 a.m. A circular was read from the MarlBbrongh Woolgrowers' Committee re the Advisory Board to assist the Controller of Imperial Supplies.—lt was resolved v that "the* Marlborough Association... be »a~i£ed to appoint a delegate fo- represent Nelson, Marlborough and Westland. '•Mr H. D. Vavasour, Blenheim, wrote »t length' regarding the calling up of farA hands, contending that too many farm workers were being taken, and that Military Service Boards should pay greater attention to the agricultural needs t i the Dominion It wa's proposed that the letter be wceived and the contentions endorsed. .. : . An amendment was moved to receive the letter only, ana this was carried on h show of hands. . Air H: G. Berryman wrote regarding •wool .valuations in Nelson, and suggesting that a local umpire be appointed by Nelson, woolgrowers, and after some discussion it was resolved that the letter be received, no action being taken. .'A* letter was received from the Nelson ChatnbjN~of Commerce, asking the Union to-support tffe v protest regarding thi* altered electoral boundaries. One or" two speakers expressed the opinion thai some portions of the Nelson district would be practically disfranchised under the new Wairau electoral boundaries. ' Mr Winter stated that the Mayor of Motueka had. told him that day that tftere was no chance of the boundaries Being altered, the Premier having stated that there would be no legislation on the matter, and that the only thing that could bi done was to protest against the elimination of the name of "MotueKa." The protest against the altered boundaries was endorsed, and the President was appointed to act in conjunction with the Nelson Committee. The President announced that he would visit as many branch of the Union as possible. He had already at / tended one branch meeting. The Vice-President said fie would verj? much like to visit Union branches. It was difficult for him to get away just now, but later on, if he could manage it, he would attend some of the branch meetings. The meeting then concluded.