FARMERS' UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14947, 21 March 1912, Page 5

FARMERS' UNION.

The Auckland executive of the coming conference of tho Farmers' Union mot yesterday. Major Lusk presided, and thero was a fair attendance. Tho executive instructed tho secretary to draft a remit for tho provincial conference with a view to the determination of tho best means of organising a system and of utilising tho produce reports. It was decided to accept Mr. R. B. Deveroux's offer of a pamphlet in relation to meteorology and agriculture, and that the pamphlet be printed and distributed. At the invitation of the manager of the Helvetia Ostrich Farm (Mr. A. Schlaepor) it wan decided to hold a picnic of Farmoia' Union members at the form on April 27. Tho date of the provincial conference was fixed for May 23 and 24 and the annual dinner for tho evening of May 23. The secretary was instructed to issue invitations to representatives of tho Labour Unious, Chambers of Commerce, and to other fanners' organisations throughout th" province to attend the conference duri;..; iho discussion of remits of interest to the general public. TrV Mauktt branch wrote, asking if the exfC*.?ivo could do something to improvethe telephone facilities at the Mauku Post Office. Tho letter stated that tho telephone is in an open shop, and that thero is no secrecy when using tho instrument. Tho storekeepers received such small remuneration that it was impossible for them to give any better facilities. The branch was advised to approach the chief viostmastor in the matter, and failing any satisfaction from him to approach the Postmaster-General through tho member for the district (Mr. W. F. Massey). Endorsement of tho Auckland executive's protest against the differential railway rates was received from tho Invercargill, Taranaki and Marlborough provincial executives. On the motion of Captain Colbeck, it was decided to bring the matter under tho notice of the Chamber of Commerce, and to ask its support of the union's action.

The action of the Advisory Committee at the recent conference with waterside workers when the size of manure sacks was discussed was endorsed, and it was decided to communicate with other provincial executives and ask for their cooperation in arranging for the handling of artificial manures.