FARMERS’ UNION

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1679, 4 May 1904, Page 19

FARMERS’ UNION

(From Our Waipukurau Correspondent.) The provincial executive for Hawke’s Bay of the Fanners’ Union met at Waipukurau on Thursday, April 21. There were present—Messrs A. H. Russell (chairman), D. Canning and Cartwright RroAvn (Hastings), A. Olsen (NorseAvood), R. Tod (Ivaikora North), H. Saunders and T. Hobson (Takapau), D. Potts (Waipukurau), T. H. Stewart (Wimbledon), W. E. Beamish (Onga Onga), M. Tamsey (Dannevirke), and T. Clark (Petane). Mr W. Birch'(chairman Mar ton branch), and Mr A. O. Bennett (one of the guarantors) Avere present b|y invitation. The chairman presented Id's annual report, which stated that during the past year lie had visited most of the branches in the district, and found that everywhere a few energetic members kept the union going. But by the lack of organisation, and in some oases definite object, tlie difficulties were great. To meet this, subject to his advice, an organising secretary, ivlio should also be a veterinary surgeon, was appointed. This gentleman, in the course of his visits to different branches, Avould be ablo to give some practical assistance to sehiiers, keep the branches in close tcuoli and extend interest in the union. Mr Malcolm Brodie, M.R.C.V.S., would arrive in the colony early in May. Further, Mir Russell strongly recommended the branches to appoint paid secretaries; he felt it to be unfair an,d lunwise to ask honorary secretaries to give up the time required for the office; he desired not to depreciate their kind services, and they were often the keenest members. He would urge th& older members of the union to endeavour to interest the young farmers, to whom the future of the province would be largely entrusted; lie felt sure that theilr energy and initiative AA-ould be of \raluable assistance. He reviewed the work done by the central executive dating the past year. The immediate objects of special interest before the colonial executive were the freehold tenure question, and 'the establishment of technical education for farmed*. Iu conclusion, the chairman expressed h'ia thanks to all those who had helped ill union matters during the past year* and tho guarantors towards the veterinary surgeon’s salary. The balancesheet, Avhieh showed a cash credit of £l9 11s Bd, was laid ok the table, anfl on the motion of Mr Hobson, seconded by Mr'Tansey, the report and balancesheet were adopted. Mr Russell was then re-eleoteicl chair, and Messrs N. E. Beamish, D. Canning and A. McLean as vice-chairmen. Messrs Russell and Potts were elected delegates to the colonial conference. On Mr Tansey’s motion, it Avas resolved: That this meeting send as remit* to tho colonial conference —(1) That excessive borrowing be stopped, and that sinking fund's be provided to pay off the present loans; (2) that funds derived from secondary endowments in each proviuco should be allotted pro rata to all pupils attending district, or high schools. The chairman moved that the provincial levy for the ensuing year bo Kte. Of this sum 7s GA Avould go towards the salary of the veterinary surgeon, 2s to the e-sionial executive, and Od towards office expenses; this sruni would require strict economy. Mr Tansey seconded the motion. After considerable discussion, some of which wag adverse, the motion was carried. A’lengthy set of rules for the guidance of the veterinary surgeons \vm confirmed. The chairman briefly explained 1 tho position of Avould-be insurers under the present Mutual Insurance Act, and it ivas moved and carried: (1) That this meeting is in favour of a Farmers’ Mutual Insurance Association, but delays action till further data is at its disposal.; (2) that a clause requiring at least 10 per cent, of members of an association to be present at certain meetings, be referred to the colonial cxeoutivei for their consideration and action; (3) that the colonial conference be asked to consider the position with regard to Government lending departments. A ciimlaiv referring to an official organ Avas before the meeting. It wag Seated, members agreed, that the press of the colony had treated the union vciry fairly, and that it- would be unwise to start a purely union paper. It Avas agreed that the union subsidise two Avceldy papers. The proposal that tho HaAvke’s Bay Rabbit Board should take over the rabbiting of the province Avas discussed, but no action Avas taken.