OTAGO FARMERS' UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17091, 24 August 1917, Page 7

OTAGO FARMERS' UNION

A meeting of the Otago -Provincial Counoil (New Zealand Farmers' Union) was held/ at the office of the secretary (Mr Hugh Mitchell) on Wednesday afternoon. Mr Alex. Fraser presided over a full attendance of members. The president and secretary were appointed delegates to the committee appointed by the Otago Expansion League and the Chamber of Commerce to carry out resolutions re land tenures of Otago. The following resolution was passed in regard to the proposal to rediuco the age limit of Expeditionary Fotee members:— That this executive of the New Zealand Farmers Union protests strongly against the proposal' to reduce the age limit to 19 years, either by voluntary enlistment or otherwise.

The Clinton branch forwarded a' resolution supporting Balclutha in endeavouring get the railway to carry more than 110 bags of chaff on one truck, as this would save haulago and trucks, r .f" e . branch also" forwarded the following resolution, which was approved by the executive"That the union objects to the action of the Defence authorities in exempting Marist Brothers from military service, while other denominations are not exempted." The secretary was instructed to forward the resolution to the Minister of Defence.

A letter was received from the Balelutha branch asking whether disused railway tarpaulins_ could not be sold to farmers by the Railway Department.' t A reply was received from the department pointing out that when the tarpaulins are finished with by the department they are of no value except to be pulped. ■ Complaints were received from Hillend settlers as to no advice being given by the Railway _ Department of goods arriving at the station.—The secretary reported that the department had looked into the matter and had rectified it. •

The Lawrence branch wrote asking the executive ;to look into -the question of *? re i an d draft" deducted on sales of wool. Ihe branch forwarded' a resolution that interest on tho war loan should be subject to income tax.—The resolution was received, as was also a resolution-that incomes only bo taxed with no exemption. A telepam was received from Ettrick stating that an effort was being made to form a branch there. . It was decidod to request the Government to leave the question of tho alteration of electoral boundaries until after the wax is over, as it was tho opinion of tho executive that the time was very inopportune for such action. It was Tesolved to enter a protest against the holding of • Territorial camps and daybght drills during war time, owing to shortage of labour. ' MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE ASSO- \ CIATION. A meeting of directors of tho . Otago Farmers Union Mutual Fire Insurance Association was held in tho office of the seoretary (Mr Hugh Mitchell) on Wednesday afternoon. Mr Wm, Gray, who presided, was reelected chairman of directors for the ensuing year. Several communications were received from the Timaru district regarding taking up the agency for the Mutual. The Invorcargill district also reported that work was being started in Southland. The secretary reported an increase of £7560 since last meeting. The questions of taking up accident insurance. and of appointing an organiser to canvass tho country for business were deferred in tho meantime.