NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13288, 20 May 1905, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

SOUTHLAND BRANCH. (Pee Uhitkd Pjip.ss Association.) INVERCAKGILL, May 19 The annual provincial meeting of the Southland Farmers' Union was held today. Tho President (Mr J. M'Queen) urged the necessity for keeping up tho union in view of events here and in Australia, Tho Socialists had got a white Australia, and they now wanted a whito ocean to carry their letters. Tho union had made mistakes,. but its existence was essential tp tho farmers' well-being. After hearing > Sir Pram speak on mutual fire insurance, it was rc«ohed to join tho Otago Association. It was resolved that' Crown tenants should tho option of purchasing the freehold. By 22 votes to 17 it was decided to appoint an organising agent and canvasser. An argument against this was that the branch secretaries should act in their districts, but it was pointed out that thev could not be expected to do the work for nothing, and an aggregate would be more costly than one official for ,tho district. Mr Patorson was appointed veterinary adviser at a salary of' £100 per annum, on tho understanding that only those who subscribed to his salary would have a ca'l on his services. A resolution that local bodies or Farmers' Unices should luue power to placc an asses:or on the Assessment Courts was rcafiiimed, and the following resolutions weie carried: — '"That threshing-mill owners furnish to tho Government the quantities of grain put through." "That thero be no alteration in the franchise -for the' election of loctil bodies." "That» on-oporntivo labour bo abandoned in public works'in favour of small contiacts." A proposal that membership subscriptions bo on an acreage or valuation was lost, as also was one that branch secretaries be paid from Gd to Is 6d per member enrolled, it pointed out that branches could do so*if they liked. Re tho sterilisation of bouedust, it was moved—"That the Government's present arrangements are entirely unsatisfactory, and that the Government bo urged to prohibit the importation until the-bones can be sterilised at or near port, or under license to an importer who may elect to erect a" plant." It was suggested that superphosphalc-i oulv lie allowed to enter the colony, and lliat New Zealand should not he at the cost of sterilising. After much argument the clause was carried. It was resohed that eaoli branch fix its own membership subscription. A pioposal that 110 earmark be made with a knife, that inspectors attend sales and make lecords, and that dealers furnish details was negatived, on the ground that thero were too many inspectors already. A motion to frame a political platform for submission lo purliftmcutarv candidate? waa withdrawn, it being pointed out that while the union was a political organisation it was not party political On a motion to procecd against defaulting guarantors for tho union veterinary 1 ? some scathing lcmarlts were made on tho meanness of those concerned, with an expression of opinion that the union would 1 bo better without them. No action was taken. A proposal lo appoint a provincial secretary, organiser, and inspector for mutual tiro risks was withdrawn, the executive having tho matter in hnnd. It was resolved that tho expenses'of the executive in attending meetings bo paid. The delegates and the executive aro diuing together to-night.