FARMERS' UNION

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1717, 25 January 1905, Page 57

FARMERS' UNION

COLONIAL EXECUTIVE PALMERSTON, January 19. The colonial executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union met to-day at the head office, Palmerston North. Present: —Mr J. G. Wilson (colonial president), Messrs A. E. Russell (Palmerston North), W. B. Matheson (Eketahuna), J. O. Cooper (Uiuraua), R. Smith (Pahiatua), W. J. Birch (Marton), D. H. Potts (Waipukurau), TI. J. Richards (T'e Horo), Alan Robinson (Mangaxnahu), G. Wheeler (Feilding), and A. J. McCurdy (colonial organiser). Apologies were received from Messrs L. R. Phillips (Auckland president), J. Boddie (Taranaki president), A. H. Russell (Hawke’s Bay president), D. Peat (Wanganui), R. C. Bruoe (Hunterville), S. J. Carman (Waituna West), and Captain Hewitt, R.N. (Palmerston North). LAW QUESTIONS. A considerable amount of correspondence relative to land tenure matters was dealt with. Matters connected with the questions of land valuation, raised at the Christchurch colonial executive meeting, were entered into, and a file of newspaper references to the same was presented. It was decided to forward to the Colonial Treasurer the recommendations of the Christchurch meeting (where not already dealt with), with the endorsement of the head office executive. STERILISING WORKS. Considerable discussion took place upon the reported decision of the Cabinet

to abandon the erection of sterilising works, as promised to the Farmers’ Union and the Agricultural and Pastoral Associations of the co-lony. The proposal to establish sterilising outfits at the foreign ports of shipment was condemned as utterly unreliable, especially when it was admitted that a handful of improperly steamed bone was sufficient to inoculate a wide area with the malady. Indignation was expressed that after the selection of sites and the appointment of an officer to attend to sterilising plants, as well as the reported ordering of up-to-date plants, it was now suggested that the necessary safeguards to human life should he abandoned.

The president indicated that he had written to the Minister of Agriculture a month ago, inquiring as to the truth or otherwise of the report that it was not intended to proceed ivith the erection of the plants, but no reply had been received. A number of communications were received from A. and P. Associations, directors of meat export companies, and others oil the subject, all of whom emphasised the need of protecting the settlers and lands of the colony as recommended by the Chief Veterinarian and other authorities acquainted with the virulence of the disease. One writer pointed out that to be perfectly safe the plants should be erected in quarantine areas, so that there would be no chance of infection by carrying bone or bonedust in trucks to the sterilising plants, and afterwards putting the trucks into ordinary traffic.

The fallowing resolution was unaniomslv ado-led :—“That the executive

; ’ K'-'ii's with alarm the runnur that the j Government does not intend to carry out the distinct promise that all imported bones should be sterilised in New Zealand, as recommended by Mr Grilruth. Anthrax has already proved a menace to human life (vide illustration in Mr Gilruth’s last report, and evidence of every country m which this disease exists), and a grave danger to our principal industry. For these reasons this executive demands that the promise of the erection of sterilising works shall be carried out, or that the importation of all bones and honedust shall be prohibited.” ORGANISATION. A number of matters relative to the organisation department were brought under notice, and, where necessary, action was taken. The report of the interview between a committee set. up at the Christchurch executive meeting aiid the Minister of Ra ihvays was laid on the table. Satisfaction was expressed at the manner in which Sir Joseph Ward had met the deputation. Correspondence relative to> agricultural education matters was next dealt with, and was of a very encouraging and interesting character. Reports of the organisation department were presented. Mr A. E. Russell, colonial treasurer, resigned his position owing to his projected lengthy absence flora the colony. The resignation was accepted with regret, and Mr Stubbs, of Palmerston North, was appointed colonial treasurer and provincial treasurer, with seats on the respective executives. Mr T. Newman (Marten), the union's parliamentary agent, also tendered his resignation, on account of a trip Home being necessitated owing to ill-health. The executive tendered him a hearty vote of thanks for his services, and expressed regret at the circumstances which necessitated his resignation. The Canterbury president wrote, in. forming the executive of Mr Harding’s resignation as lion provincial secretary for that district. The intimation was received with regret, and the executive placed on record its high appreciation of the service rendered the union in the South Island by Mr Harding. Accounts were passed for payment, and the meeting then resolved itself into the WELLINGTON PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE.

The circular to branches drafted by the provincial president on the subject of mutual insurance was endorsed, and ordered to be circulated. Considerable correspondence has been received from Canada by the last three mails by the colonial organiser, and that officer is prepared to make branch officers acquainted with the latest information from the Dominion in fire insurance matters. The establishment of a Farmers’ Union Mutual Insurance Association for Wellington is now a. rare o- cf

a few weeks only. The extensive damage to sheep in transit on the Government railways was brought under notice, and the president was authorised to communicate with the Minister on the subject, and to supply him with all the information which the colonial organiser had gathered on the subject, together with reports from the Bush District Sheep Association. With regard to matters relating to the registration of Maori-owned dogs and tho allocation of brands and earmarks by Maori Councils, it was decided to communicate with the Premier and ask that legislative effect be given to the representations of the union.

With regard to the hare pest in the Tehoro district, it was decided to ask the Colonial Secretary to declare art open season for hares all the year round for the Horowhenua County. It was decided by the Colonial Exe. cutive that in the interests of the union it was inadvisable for the colonial levy for the year 1905-06 to- bei less than 2s per member, and with regard <-«-> the Wellington Province it was decided tO’ increase the provincial levy; to at least 2s, and to appoint a paid! organiser for the province.

It was decided that the next Wet I inert on Provincial Conference should be held in Wanganui on or about Vic« tori a Day.