FARMERS’ UNION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18675, 3 October 1922, Page 8

FARMERS’ UNION.

SUB-PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE FOR BALCLUTHA. About 20 delegates from the branches of the Farmers’ Union in the districts surrounding Balclutha mot in the Clutha County Chambers on Friday afternoon to discuss the question of federating the branches under a sub-provincial executive with headquarters in Balclutha, Mr John Christie, president of the Balclutha branch, presided, and stated that the movement had tho support of the Otago Provincial Executive, which was represented at the conference by the president (Mr A. Craig) and the secretary (Mr Hugh Mlicholl). The matter was discussed at considerable length, the only objections raised being in regard to finance. Mr Mitchell assured the delegates that that need not occasion any anxiety, as the extra expenses would be all right, and oould easily be met by a levy on the branches. lii Tapanui district a 'similar organisation had proved entirely successful. The sub-provincial cxecdup would bo able to discuss important locaWquestions that could not be considered in detail by tho Provincial Council at its meetings in Dunedin. It was also pointed nut that the sub-provincial body in place of weakening the Provincial Executive would really bo a source of strength. One speaker asserted that if the sub-executive did nothing else except unify the wages for farm labour in the district it would have justified its existence. During the last threshing season ho had known of three different rates of pay in' as many contiguous districts. It was decided on the motion of Mr F. Waite (Waiwora South) and Mr E. King (Clydevale) to affirm the desirability of establishing a sub-provincial executive and to forward tho request to the Provincial Executive. The election of a chairman ivas held over pending the first meeting of authorised delegates.