FARMERS’ UNION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 8 August 1928, Page 5

FARMERS’ UNION

MEETING OF: NELSON EXECUTIVE A meeting of . the executive committee of the Nelson Provincial branch of the New' Zealand Farmers’ Union was held to-day. • • -- There were present: . .Messrs F. C. Page (president), 1,. M. Palmer, W. A. Jordan, J. Martin, W. A. Ryder, A. Bensemann, J. P. Prouse, J. Pagan, J. Hillyard, R. O’Connor, P. Y. Anderson. Messrs Best and F. Gill were excused from attendance. .. . .. i

The president reported on "a deputation which waited on the' Minister of Agriculture in Wellington regarding the transfer of Mr Greenwood, agricultural instructor, from the Nelson to Marlborough district. The president "said he did‘not think there was much chance of the provinces concerned retaining Mr Greenwood's services. .It was .satisfactory, to know, however, that Mr Greenwood would, noti be transferred for some time.

the. president also stated t_hat 3 matters in connection with the keeping open of the Wairoa bridge during the-erection of the new structure were satisfactory. Settlers concerned had. promised to contribute £2OO, of‘which ab6ut £l6B had already been collected. Mr Palmer reported that th&.'Waimea County Council, would ..take <no -action regarding the Union’s request', that a.flht rate be Imposed for' impounding' straying stock. The Council was guided by the Act; but instructions had been given to the inspector to press for heavier penalties when convictions wei'e: Obtained. , . .... .... ... . V. ■ Mr Bensemann, representing the new Moutere branch, was welcomed by the president, who trusted that the branch would do good work, i ‘ J Mr Bensemann, in replying, said no hoped the branch was going to be a live one, and he would do,,his best Jo make it so. 1 , |? CORRESPONDENCE J ’ ;• •' .v- Y> - ' >YT‘i A letter was read' from the' Lincoln Agricultural College , J thb Union’s support in urging on 1 Jhe Government to" give further financial assistance to the College. A comparison with the assistance given to the Massey Agricultural College was also ffirwamed. S-V The president ,anS other .member? considered that the Lincoln College should >»■ receive further financial aid, Messrs Palmer and Jordan, who visited the College during the recent farmers’ excursion to Canterbury, emphasising the splendid work being done at the College. It was resolved, bn the motion cf Mr Martin, seconded by Mr Jordan, that the Union supports ’ the request, and that Messrs Hudson and Atmor'e, M.’sP. be asked to give their support. /. V Arising out of a resolution forwarded by* ihe Riwaka branch as. Jo pooled orders for manure and the distribution of the 5s a Ton rebate, it was resolved on the motion of Mr Martin,-.seconded bv Mr O’Connor, that a conference ot branch secretaries be held. at a date to be decided upon later. The opinion was expressed that it might - simplify matters if all orders for pooled manure were sent through the provincial secretary. Any decision come to by the conference must be confirmed by the executive committee. " V ! - Regarding a proposal to form a branch in Motueka, it was resolved to defer the matter' for consideration pending a meeting of the Riwaka branch, all members enrolled for Motueka Jo be notified .of the Riwaka meeting. , . Mr Pagan, while not opposing the formation of a branch at Motueka, was against too many branches, and thought it might be better for Motueka members to ioin up with either Riwaka- or Moutere. , i On the motion of Mr Pagan, seconded bv Mr Jordan, it was resolved to. notify the Riwaka" branch that- the committee considers it is in the best interests crE farmers that a strong branch is more necessary than a number of small ones. A resolution was forwarded from the Wanganui provincial branch protesting against the present method of assessing the value of land, holding that the proper assessment should he on a productive value over a period of seven years. —Consideration was deferred until the next meeting.

GENERAL The president and Mr Ryder,’ wb'o attended the Dominion conference, report-, ed on the proceedings. . The delegates were thanked for tnßir report. A number of other matters were deferred for consideration until the next meeting. An invitation was received for members to visit the Cawthron Institute this afternoon. *. -if Mr O’Connor and Mr Ryder were appointed to officially represent tlte' Union at the Cawthron Lecture this evening. The president, owing to a prior engagement, said he unfortunately would be unable to attend.