FARMERS’ UNION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6315, 16 September 1907, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION

PALMERSTON BRANCH. (From Our Own Correspondent.) PALMERSTON, September 14. The monthly mooting of the Palmerston branch of the Farmers’ Union was hold to-day. The president, Mr J. Balsillie, was in the chair. The attendance was rather small. FARMERS AND RIFLE CLUBS. At tho last meeting a committee was set up to report upon the advisability or otherwise of forming a rifle blub in connection with the' branch. Tho committee reported to-day . that it could not* support the proposal, as the branch was located within five miles of a volunteer station. However, it advised those to join who did not come under tho regulations imposed. The committee's opinion was that the desire to do one’s duty in defending one’s country might well he turned to account in the direction of si pporting the National Defence League’s effort to introduce instruction in shooting to tho public schools- It was stated that practice at miniature ranges had given very good results as preparation for genuine shooting. The branch adopted the report, endorsing the suggestion that the union should lend its aid to tlie Defence League movement. AGRICULTURAL LABOUR DEMANDS, A report was received from the subcommittee recently set up to consider the demands made by tho Agricultural Labourers’ Union. The. report, generally speaking, was against the claims, only one, that dealing with overtime pay, being agreed to. Some members were of the opinion that tho pen. should really be run through the whole of the demands, many of which were characterised as being absurd. The report was adopted, it being stated that really nothing could he done. THE NEW DUTIES. The matter of tho duties proposed to be levied on wheat and potatoes in certain conditions of the market, was mentioned by one member, who also said ho thought the Government’s scheme a very good one. j Others expressed the opinion that matters would undoubtedly readjust themselves before long, and the subject dropped. '