FARMERS' UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16979, 16 April 1917, Page 3

FARMERS' UNION

OTAGO PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. A meeting of the excoutivo of the Now Zealand Farmers' Union, Otago Provincial Council, was hold on Friday, Mr Jamca Bcgg (president) in tho chair. A letter was received from tho Minister of Agriculturo in reply to tho anion's resolution that tho Government should take over tho wliolo of Now Zealand hides at present export value. The Minister stated that arrangements wero being- ;nado by tho Government to purchase tho' hides availablo at prices which had already been'published.

Tho Minister of Defence wrote regarding tho prosecution for failing to destroy Canadian thistles and rabbits, advising that the matter had been submitted to tho Minister of Agriculture. ith refcrcjieo to tho suggestion made by tho umon that local committees of farmers should assißt military boards, the Minister of wroto that ho thoroughly approved of tho proposal, and suggested that tho president and secretary discuss tho matter "with tho O.C. for Otago district. Tho president reported that ho and tho secretary had ' carried out tho suggestion, and committees wero formed accordingly. Tho following branches havo arranged committees to act in this connection:—Kaitangata, Tapanui,Balolutha, Clydcvale, llamrxlon, Middlemarch, Moa Flat, Clinton, Xiawxonce, Croolcston, Laudor.

A letter was received from Ounbacic, statjug* that no action wns l>eing" taJson in tlio of local committees for assistance to Military Boards, as tWy fear thiit local bias niiß-ht bo inti'odacod. I'lie Clinton Branch forwarded a l-esolution protesting against military camps being held ouriiig the waT. llesolutions \vcro also received requesting that railway men be put on tho same footing as other employees under the Military Sorviee Acts.—lt was decided to inform tho branch that theso men aie now under tho Act the same as other employees. . The Clinton Branch passed a resolution supporting tho Provincial Council in having the Noxious Woods' and Rabbit Acts held m abeyance during tho war. Tho Clydeyale Branch wrote protesting against ploughmen being taken for military P™ pos,n S that the Government should assist farmers to build cottages for maru t n at t • tho ovont of farmers drawn m the ballot bemg tinablo to sell, tho State should take orver the farms, for ro1110 priccs to b y