N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Northland Age, Volume 19, Issue 31, 3 November 1921, Page 5

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

BAY OF ISLANDS ELECTORATE SUB-PROVINCIAL DISTRICT. The quarterly meeting of the Executive was held at Broad wood on Friday, 28 th October. Present: The President, Mr. A. McL. Wright (in the chair); Messrs F. Holder and J. Garton (Vice-Presidents) ; W. R. McKenzie, G. Harding, T. H. Hayes and L. H. Bell. The Organising Secretary was in attendance. The minutes of quarterly meeting held at Kaitaia on July 29th, 1921, were read and confirmed on the motion of Mr. Garton, seconded by Mr. Hayes. The Organiser’s report, covering the period from July 29th to date, was read and approved, on the motion of Mr. Harding, seconded by Mr. Garton. The Organiser was instructed to have a circular letter drafted and printed, as per his suggestion, and forward to branch secretaries, for circulation amongst members. A letter was received from Provincial Secretary, notifying the establishment of a free newspaper, “ The Country,” to be circulated amongst financial members.— Received.

Several letters from branch secretaries, re new organising scheme, were laid on the table. General approval of the scheme was indicated by these letters. Mr. J. W. Jones, of Pakaraka, subprovincial representative on the Provincial Executive, wrote stating that owing to dates fixed for the Provincial Executive meetings, he found it impossible to attend. Mr. Jones is a member of the Bay of Islands County Council, and Bay of Islands Hospital Board, and the meetings of these bodies do not permit of the waste of time entailed in also attending the Executive meetings. The members present expressed their sympathy with Mr. Jones in the awkward position in which he found himself placed. They recognised that it is desirable that the sub-provincial district should be represented at the Provincial Executive meetings, but beyond that could not in any attempt to influence Mr. Jones’ actions. It was resolved that the Secretary write to Mr. Jones conveying the foregoing to him. On the motion of Mr. McKenzie, Iseconded by Mr. Hayes, it was resolved, “ That the Auckland Provincial Executive be written to asking that, in the event of Mr. Jones’ resignation, Mr. Garton, the only other candidate nominated, be appointed to the vacant position; and that meetings be held on a Monday, instead of a Tuesday, to suit the convenience of Northern members.”

Proposed by Mr. Holder, seconded by Mr. Harding, “ That the Secretary write to Dominion Executive asking what steps require to be taken in connection with the, formation of a separate Province, pointing out the dissatisfaction which exists here, our isolation, and the lack of community of interest between our S,P.D. and Auckland. The case of Gisborne to be cited.” The President invited a discussion on the new organising scheme, as carried at last quarterly meeting. The members who had not been at the July meeting spoke briefly, and all approved the scheme. Mr. L. H. Bell moved, “ That this meeting of the Bay of Islands Sub-Provincial Executive is of the opinion that the best interests of the district would be served by breaking away from Auckland, and forming a separate Provincial District comprising the present Sub-Provincial District, and such other adjoining districts or portions of districts as might wish to amalgamate.” Seconded by Mr. Hayes, and carried. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Garton, seconded by Mr. Holder, “ That the Government be urged to invite tenders from all shipping 'concerns for the carriage of all our primary products.” The voting was unanimous.

Moved by Mr. Harding, seconded by Mr. Holder, and carried unanimously, “ That it be urged upon -the Government that attempts be made for the better distribution of our products at Home, in order that the producer may reap a greater benefit than under the present system.”

A vote of thanks to the chair closed the meeting.