FARMERS’ UNION

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1681, 18 May 1904, Page 32

FARMERS’ UNION

MARTON. On Saturday the Marton branch of the 'Farmers’ Union held its annual meeting, Mr W. Birch in the chair and a good attendance. Balance-sheet, approved, showed a credit of £lO 15s 4d. Membership. stands at 130, of whom seven are ladies. Officers elected: W.. J. Birch chairman- (re-elected), vice-chairman R. K. Simpson; new committeemen, A. Aiken and A. L. Lenton; delegates to conference, W. J. Birch and E. Newman. Remits to the Colonial Conference: 1, “That before starting the formation of a mutual insurance company for Wel-lington-Provincial District, a special committee should investigate the matter and formulate a basis on which they would advise it being formed.” 2, “That in the opinion of this branch it would be desirable that the Union should have an

official-'paper, details to be left to the Conference.”; 3/-*,"That' a Parliamentary Vigilance Committee be formed to watch legislation during • ensuing session, the constitution of such \ committee to be decided by Conference.” Each of these resolutions were proposed by Mr Newman.- Another remit was proposed by Mr W. J. Birch. This read" That it is % advisable that'this Pinion should adopt as an article, of. its. platform theright of v Crown tenants to acquire the freehold of their holdings on the payment by the lessee of the. original value and the payment.'of the difference between the four per cent, now charged on leases in perpetuity.and- the five per cent, charged on leases'- with right of purchase.” It was decided to allow; the secretary 21 per, cent, of the 10 per cent, allowed on manure ordered through the Union; as a return for, his services. The subscription was fixed at ss. 1 l Reviewing the work of past year, the Chairman made a clear and comprehensive statement. After speaking with satisfaction of the sound position of the branch, Mr. Birch referred to the apathy displayed by some farmers/ If farmers, he said; .Valued the work the Union was doing they must be prepared to pay for it, and not expect work to be all done by volunteers for nothing. The success of

the picnic, the securing of a veterinary sex-vice for members, and the arranging of a course of veterinary lectures were touched upon. Dealing with the work of the Union generally, Mr Birch said: “I think it must be apparent to all that the work already done by the Union is very considerable. It has established itself as a power and as a mouthpiece, to give expression to the desires of the farming community. The work before us is of the utmost importance, namely, the securing to our fellow settlors the right to the freehold, and in defending ourselves from the attacks of other bodies. Without our Union these objects cannot be obtained, and we can freely claim the liberSl supjiort of farmers unless they are blind to their own interests. We are, I believe unanimous on the freehold question; we must be prepared to fight for it. There is a powerful body called the Trades Council. Are you to allow them to dictate' the measures Government should take in regard to your affairs? They urge Government to prohibit any

further sale of Crown lands, and to seoure the periodical revaluation of all Crown lands held on lease; that the land tax should be increased; and that the Parliamentary franchise should apply to elections of all local bodies, every elector to be entitled to vote on all questions, including the raising of loans. If you do not wish such measures to become law you must strenuously support the Union. It is not we who have raised the cry of town against country. Wo are simply defending ourselves against the aggression of town organisations. Then we have Messrs Laurenson and Taylor going round the country giving addresses against the freehold, and in favonr of an increase in the land tax. Our President, Mr J. . G. Wilson, manfully upheld our cause against them at Ashburton, and I am sure you will agree that he deserves our thanks for doing so.” ,; colyton. . • ,/ : , The annual meeting was held in the Hall on Saturday evening, Mr R. L. Pudney in the chair. The balance-sheet showed a credit of 10s 8d for the year. The secretary, Mr W. G. Pearce, brought forward the question of closing Colyton branch and mining that of Feilding,

there being some difficulty in collecting subscriptions and canvassing for members. It was thought that the Feildirm suggestion to form larger branches and keep a paid secretary was a good one. On the motion of Mr Nelson it w&s decided to close Colyton branch and, that the district be added to Feilding, and that any balance after paving liabilities be handed to Provincial Executive. RANGIWAHIA. The adjourned annual meeting of the Farmers’ Union was held on Thursday, May 3rd, when there were a fair number present. The chairman, Mr Guthrie, read the report and balance-sheet and explained the general movements of the Executive for past year. The balance sheet showed a credit of £ll odd; the roll showed over 70 members with over 60 paid-up. The election of officers resulted: Chairman and delegate to the Provincial Conference, Mr F Pemberton; secretary and treasurer, Mr R. H. H.

Guthrie (re-elected). The old committee with the addition of Mr Hayward and Mr M. Martin were also re-elected. A vote of thanks to the outgoing chairman was passed with enthusiasm, and £2 2s was voted the secretary. Speaking on the matter of subscription, the chairman thought that 4s was too low. Although we had a balance in hand, we did not know when we might be called upon for a levy. Mr Pemberton also thought the subscription should be higher. It was then proposed and seconded that the subscription for the year should be ss, but if it was found necessary the committee to have power to raise it. The matter of sheep tax and other matters were discussed which will be put in form at a meeting; of committee to be held on Wednesday night, NOTES. About forty members attended the annual dinner of Kimbolton branch of Farmers’ Union on Thursday, night, and the function proved a most pleasant one. The chairman, Mr H. Fowler, in a short address, said the strength of the branch whs maintained though he would like the members to take a more active interest in the business transacted. The only

other visitor , from another district who spoke was Mr A. H. Atkinson, who advocated the striking generally a higher subscription fee, and showed the benefits i to be derived would justify it. ! A rather interesting discussion took place at the annual meeting of the Marton branch of the Farmers’ Union on the j question of the annual subscription. Mr I Honeyman suggested that the subscription be raised to £l. In this Mr Mcßean I concurred. Surely, he said, if Trades I Unionists could pay 6d a week farmers, ! with the stake they had in the country, : should be able to pay even an?equal sum. Mr Birch (the chairman), however, regarded tho Union as representing the popular opinion of the farmers of New Zealand. If it resolved into a Union of a few with a large subscription, it would be said that the Union did not represent tho purely farming interests. Tho sec- ' tion of the Union which required support was the Colonial Executive, and after that all they had to do was to keep the ; branch going.

At a meeting of the Kumeroa branch of the Farmers’ Union, the chairman said that to do away with that suspicion which prevailed, not only outside of the Union, but also to a great extent with farmers who have become members of the Union, he thought they should endeavour to have their executives composed more largely of men who did not represent quite so much capital. Personally he was quite satisfied with the work done by the Wellington provincial executive, but when they know there would be more confidence placed in their efforts 'if the leaders and the advisers were more largely composed of small farmers, he thought it was the duty or members to place the Union in a position that it might be more trusted and respected throughout the colony. The Ashburton branch of the Farmers’ Union has decided to ask the Colonial Conference to move the Government for a reduction of the railage rates on sheep. Considering the importance and magnitude of this traffic the appeal should be successful. Sheep should not have to waste by road travelling when the railway, runs alongside.