THE FARMERS' UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12351, 13 May 1902, Page 2

THE FARMERS' UNION

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PALMERSTON BRANCH. Tho annual mooting of the Palmerston brauoh of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was hold at tho Waihemo County Council offices yesterday, when the ■chairman of the branch (Mr ,1. Ross) presided, and the following wore present:—Messrs \V. Sout«r, A. l'lcmiiif, T..Muir, .1. Doiiglan, A. Kilgoiir, A. (iilmorc, Ci. Sloan, W. Argue, and \V. A. Patterson.

The first annual report stated that it had been fully proved that tin; union movement would benefit former*, taking, tor example, the new term? in selling wheat and the cheap rate of insurance against risks incurred under the Workers' Compensation Act. Several questions emanating from tho branch Inul been favourably considered at the Provincial Conference, at Milton in October and would be submitted to the ('olonial Council, During the year several question* of interest had been considered, such a? tho increase of parliamentary honorana, rates of commission charged at local stock s.ilf"-.—namely 3j per cent., which tho committee considered excessive.. The membership now numbered 152, but the committee thought that if the farmers studied tnoir interests moro this number would bo largely increased. The committee thought tho thanks and goodwill of the farmers of Now Zealand were due to the organising secretary IMr Glass) for his work in connection with the formation of the union. In conclusion, the committee urged on mombora the necessity of workin? together and of taking more interest in the union than they had done during tho year. By so doing, the farmers, as a united body, would receive more consideration from the hands of the authorities than they did at present. Tho balance sheet allowed the receipts at iZZ Us and the expenditure at £19 3s 4d rm mß ™ " c,iit balance of £3 10s Bd. ine Chairman, in Moving tho adoption of tlio report and balance sheet, said he was sorry there was not a larger attendance, but Monday was not a convenient day for ■armors. The Provincial Conference would ait in Diincdin shortly, and it was necessary to hold the meeting in time to appoint delegates, etc. He did not think there was much to he said on tho present occasion. He had to report attending an executive meeting m Dunedin on Tuesday last, M \i important questions were considered and referred to the Provincial Conference; but the returns had not all been in then. In doing away with the 2* per cent, discount on wheat and in ventilating the question of commission at stock sales the union had done » groat ileal of good, even if that had been all. Tim executive had discussed the jury system in sheep-stealiup- cases, and ho had not been sorry to see a leader in tho Otago Daily Times on this and other questions dealt with by the. executive and drawn lip for submitting to the Provincial Conference. Many questions of great importance to farmers would be discussed by the conference, and it ivqb to the farmers' bene»t that they should be discussed. Regarding the liability of farmers under the Workers Compensation for Accidents Act ho had noticed in the official organ a oircu' lar embodying an opinion from Messrs Brandon and Hislop, solicitors, Wellington that farmers were liablo under this act. Ho moved the adoption of the report and oalanoe sheet.

M' , Gilmoro seconded the motion. fh« w{" the f * rme " insuml "Sminet tho Workers' Compensation for Accidents

Mr Dougfe said tho lanncra wore com»ncG, but there was still considerable expenw One of Ins men had been hurt, and, though he had insured, this man's acoident iiatl meant considerable extra expense. Mr bilmore said tlmt, with all due deferenco to Messrs Brandon and Hislop, he con d not see how farmers could bo made liable under the trt. Farm paddocks could not bo included in the term "premises," e\en if sheds and barns wore. Hie report and balance sheet were then adopted unanimously. Mr Douglas thought it was an extraordinary thnw that an net of Parliament should bo passed to loosely that it was impossible to understand it. The Premier had said all through tno session that farmers were not liable but now when approached he advised (armors to go into court and test the

Mr Gilmore: Why, the Chief Justicehimso f confessed that acts of Parliament passed lately wero impossible to understand

, The dcotion of a committee for the ensuing year then took place, and the retiring committoe, consisting of Messrs J. Ross, ]J Ross, W. Souter, W. 0. M'Kcllar, W, Pollook, J. Douglas, A. Kilgour, E. Cbxke T. StenhoilFC, G. Cniickslumk, D. W. Phillips J. Stewart P. M'Qiady, T. Muir, andj, Miller, with tho addition of Messrs A .Gilmore, W. Argue, and Cameron, wore returned. Tho chairman (Mr J. Rob , secretary (Mr J. Miller), treasurer (Mr T. Muir) and auditor (Mr Ross), wero all re-elected. Tho Chairman returned thanks in a few words, and urged tho members of committee to attend meetings more roguUrly than they had done during tho past year, The question of remuneration to tho Becrotary was discussed, but as the treasurer pointed out that the balance had to ho forwarded to the provincial secretary, action was deferred in the mcni'! - ""-" jj

v Chairman remarked that the present rates and subscription nil through thu country woro too low.

The chairman and Mr T. Jlnir wore then appointed delegates to tho Provincial CW feroncc.

Tho Chairman brought up tho question of eub-hranohes of tho union. Ho considered that sub-branches could bo formed at Green Valley, Macraes, and Dunbaek, rnirt t*>oy might amalgamate amongst themselves again. He did not think the people in those districts could, l)c expected to attend meetings in Palmorion. Tlie tub-branches could send delegates to the Palmcrston meeting. Mr Muir said his upinion conoiirred with the chairman'». Suoh a course would koep tho outside districts in touch with the union, and it might Iμ the moans of putting moro lifo into the meetings. It was then decided that the secretary should Iki instructed to writo to Mr \V. Pollock at Green Volley, Mr W. 0. M'Kelhr, at Dunbaolv, and Mr J. Donaldson, at Macraes, tho formation of sub-branches in those districts which could be represented on tho Palmonlon branch by delegates. The Chairman said there" wap a movement in Southland to have tho required membership to constitute a branch reduced to 25, and he thought if this were done there would he more interest taken in the union.

Somo little discussion then aro-e as to the RubjeeU to Iks recommended to the conference for consideration, and it was suggested that each memlier should draw up a fow suggestions and forward them to tho delegates. Mr Sotiter agreed with this proposition, and mentioned the small birds' nuisance ae lieiiiß a question that should be difcufsod. Another member mentioned inspection of dairiee. Mr Uilmoro said the local stock inspector had inspected hie (Mr (iilmorc's) dairy, and he supposed he had inspected others. lint sometimes a dairy inspector would go round and order certain improvements, and then, before the improvements wore completed, tho Government valuer wns round Happing on extra r.'.tes for improvements—(laughter). He also thought that when a mapistratc was sitting in an Assessment Court on a disputed valuation caso there should he two comnelent as«es.?ora associated with him. A magistrate might be a vrry good man on points of law, but very seldom understood anything about farming" or land values. Mr Sloan referred to tliu small birds' nuisance, aiv.l advocated destruction by netting the birds. Another member said there \va.f nothing like phoiponu, and the farmer should mix it himself. Tho poisoned grain sold to fannwn was of no use at all. The question of increase of nieui-br-rship rates wus also raised, and it was decided that all there subjects should be brought up at the conference, together with others that .might be suggested in the meantime This concluded the meeting. PENINSULA BRANCH. The annual meeting of the Peninsula branch of thn banners' Union was hold in the Vortobello School on the 19th inst., the

chairman (Mr W. Dickson) preaitling. The principal business was the election of officers for tho ensuing year, whioh resulted as follows :-Mana.j>ini; Committee—Messrs W. Dickson, J. M'Androw, R. Milne, A. North, ;'• «• Rutherford, J. Riddell, .1. J. M Cartney, and .T. S. M'Cartncy. At a committee meoting lield later the following officers were appointed: -ChairPlan,, Mr W. Dickson; secretary, Mr .1. S. MCartncy; treasurer, Mr .Times M'Andrew; auditor, Air J. .T. M'Cartney (all re-elected): delegate to attend the next conference, Mr

Mr J. &. M Caitney was appointed to canvass the district in ordor to enroll new members. It was also d'--!(M to hold a meeting in the Highcliff Hc-liool on the 19th hist, at a p.m. for the yuw j»ui[io.'o.

WAIKOUAITI BRANCH. The animal meeting of the Waikbuaiti branch of tho Farmers' Union was held in the Borough Council Chambers «n Saturday evening, about 20 member, being present. Air il. Biickland was re-etooted ohairman, Messrs R. A. S. Cantrell and A. S. Orbell treasurer nnd secretary, and Mr E. Davis auditor for tho ensuing year. Tho following were appointed a committee, with power to add:— Messrs .7. Aitoheson, T. Allcock W Biack, A. Heckler, P. Heckler, R. Hag»n, .1. Hallum, J, Maxwell, W. Martin, J. M'Gill, W, M'Gralh, J. Rendall, and W. Ward. Messrs Buckland and Orhell were appointed to attend tho next conference of Otago delegates to lie held in Dunoclin on 22nd ,Tune. The meeting resolved to recommend its members to support any fire insurance company that will reduce the present rates: also to instruct tho selling brokers that it is in the interest* of tho fnmll farmers that single bales of oqual value be grouped when offered for sale, so as to avoid " star" lots, A. letter was received from Messrs Stronach Bros, and Morris stating, on behalf of the Stock Brokers' Association, that they could not sen their way to reduce the present ratn of commission charged on sales of stock in the district. Many other mattrrs of interest to farmers were discussed. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded a very enjoyable meeting.