MEETING OF FARMERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4131, 20 August 1900, Page 7

MEETING OF FARMERS.

A largo and representative gathering of farmers from all parts of the Bush district assembled at the Chib Hotel, Woodvillo, on Friday evening last, the occasion being the quarterly dinner of tho Farmers’ Club, which has now been established for upwards of ten years. Over forty members and guests wore present. Tho chair was . occupied by the president (Mr Bolton). ' The members looked upon the occasion with more than tho usual interest, having as their principal guest of tho evening Mr Thos. Mackenzie, M.11.R. After “The Queen” had been honoured with the usual toast, Mr Mackenzie delivered a most instructive and interesting address. Farmers, ho said, wore tho backbone of the country, and it was very unsatisfactory to find agricultural training so neglected among young New Zealanders, tho majority of whom were educated as clerks. -With regard to frozen meat, Mr Mackenzie said a speedier and more regular shipping service was necessary. T'his'would, no doubt, be attained when the .Panama Canal is onened up. Mr Mackenzie also pointed out tlio difficulties that had to be contended with. ' Germany and France, where our products are forbidden to enter', are pouring in theiit products to England on almost the same conditions as are given, to New Zealanders. The money these countries received for goods sont to England actually went towards building warships- and making ammunition to be used against her. If there was preferential trade with New Zealand the money would-"be devoted to help the Mother - Country. Mr Mackenzie also said the present system of cabling to England was almost prohibitive, a single message costing as milch as £3.

■One of tho members asked:—“Would it be an advantage to have frozen moatstamped’?”- ■' - Mr Mackenzie, in reply, said he was -sure English meat was often, sold as' New Zealand mutton; sd by starnpinga.il our meat this would bo During his thrde years’ visit to England, cases arose which proved it.'.was; iicccst sary fori the Now Zealand farmers to have in England an honest and capable representative, who could be, relied upon to act in their interests. On one occasion a case came before him of meat not arriving in’a/sound' condition. Feeling sure the case was not bona fide, ho decided to test it. The usual custom was to employ a particular person who had been carrying out this work for some considerable time. Mr Mackenzie appointed his own arbitrator. As was anticipated, though, almost every carcase was handled, hardly a mark was found on any of them. At-the oonclilsion of Mr Mackenzie's address he was unanimously accorded a, vote of and his health was drunk with musical honours. : Shortly alter 10 o’clock the chairman asked the members to adjourn to the commercial room, where an enjoyable evening- was brought to a close with music, recitations, etc. The entering, in the hands of Mr Pool, was all that could be desired.