FARMERS' UNION

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1726, 29 March 1905, Page 23

FARMERS' UNION

PALMERSTON, March 23. At the meeting of the Colonial Executive of the Farmers' Union to-day, Mr j. G. Wilson presided. The following were present: Messrs W. Perry (Masterton), D. Peat (Wanganui), A. Robinson (Mangamahu), Captain Hewitt (Palmerston), W. Stubbs (Palmerston). A communication was received from the Minister of Railways, stating that the request that concessions be granted to union picknickers would be considered. The Department of Agriculture wrote that the Government had appointed inspectors for India and Australia to superintend the shipment of bone-dust. This system would be adopted instead of the erection of sterilising works in the colony. A resolution urging the Colonial Executive to still protest against the importation of unsterilised bones was received from the Poverty Bay branch. It was resolved to issue a circular to branches, pointing out the attitude of the Government on the question, and J;he necessity of some combined action being taken. The question of uniform subscriptions for the whole colony was broached by the Poverty Bay executive. The president reported that copies dealing with the proposal had been forwarded to the ?rovincial executives for their consideraion, and that the question would be threshed out at the Colonial Conference, to be held at Wellington in July. A resolution was moved, regretting that the Minister of Education had withdrawn capitation for cottage gardens from education boards, seeing that the Union was making strong efforts to further the study in country schools of nar ture and rural pursuits m general. The action was regarded as most discouraging. A communication was received from the sub-editor of the “Sydney Mail/’ in which at suggestion was made that a party of members of the Farmers' Union should visit the next A, and P. show in Sydney. If this were done arrangements would be made to enable them to visit the Hawkesbury State Farm. Consideration of the proposal was deferred till next meeting. The Wellington Provincial Executive met to-day, to discuss the advisableness of forming a mutual fire insurance company for the province. Correspondence on the subject was dealt with, the reports from the various branches being favourable to the scheme. The Rangitikei farmers are strong supporters of the scheme, over <£40,000 worth of insurance being promised in Marton and Lower Rangitikei, and <£15,000 in Waverley. The returns from the Wairarapa and Manawatu districts have not yet come to hand, but it is anticipated that these will bring the total to over £IOO,OOO. It was resolved to apply for a warrant under the act to form the company for the Wellington province. The date of the Wellington Provincial Conference, which is to be held at Wanganui, was fixed for Mav 30th.