FARMERS' UNIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2467, 26 June 1901, Page 9

FARMERS' UNIONS.

The chairman of the Gore Farmers' Club has received the following interesting communication from the secretary of the Marton (North Island) branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union: — "I saw lately in the newspapers a leport of one of your meetings, by which I gather that the opinions of farmers in your district are much the same as those in the north with tis. I consequently take the liberty of urging on you the desirability of forming a union such as we are forming here, for the purpose of giving unity aud strength to the demands of the producers and farmers. The movement has been very successful here, as we have now several thousand members. With prope-r organisation we shall form suoh a strong combination that we must be a power in the land. Should you in the south do likewise, we should form a still stronger combination. I shall endeavour to explain to you our objects and organisation, and trust you will be able to organise on somewhat the same basis, so that we could work as one body. The objects of the N.Z. Farmers' Union are to foster the interests of farmers in all matters. Their efforts will be extended to the obtaining of cheap freight, and form a basis of united action in shipments of gram, meat, and other produce to foreign or new markets, or in any other way to use the ttrengih gained by unity in furtherance of the farmers' interests ; also to resist excessive valuations for taxation purposes. . . That grants made for roads and bridges out of the Estimate be not forfeited for non-expenditure, and that such sums be handed over to local bodies for expenditure. That the economic lav. s of the country should be so altered in the direction of Freetrade as to put the producing class on the most favourable footing to meet competition in the markets of the world, and to defend them from being bled by minorities in the towns. Should measures become law affecting farming interests prcjudically or in non-com-pliance with its Br^z requests, then the union is pledged to vote for only union candidates ! at the next general or by-election, such can- j didates to be nominated by the centres in each electoial district. We disclaim connection with any presenb political party, and ask all producers, great and small, to. join us, irrespective of party. We are not organised for the purpose of sitting upon the present Government, nor have the Opposiiion. eiven us any lead. We simply combine for the protection of our own interests and to defend ourselves against the growing power and dictation of the industrial unions of the towns. The scheme of organisation is that branches should be established in as many places in the provincial district as possible ; no branch to consist of less than 50 members, with chairman and secretary; chairman of branch committees to form central committees in each district, with president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer. Central committees shall appoint delegates to annual provincial meetings. Provincial meetings shall appoint delegates to the Grand Annual Conference of New Zealand. Our entrance fee is at present Is and subscription 3s per annum. The funds are to be handed over from the small committee to the central committee, who will be empowered to give a small allowance to delegates to conferences. Local Grievances and objections will be brought up \>y the local chairman to the central committee, who, where necessary, will ol>lain the support of the whole union. I' hope you will see your way to starting the K.Z. Farmers' Union in your district, so that we may all join hands and assist one another in furthering our rights and improving our position."

Two young lads employed in a certain office in Greymouth, on hearing that the Yorks had arrived, walked into the post office and sent his Royal Highness a telegram expressing their pleasure at his safe arrival. The telegram was acknowledged by the Duke's secretary.

The question of permittiiig Sunday entertainments cropped up at Thursday's meeting of the Invercargill Borough Council. The Deaf, Dumb, and Blind entertainers wrote that they wished to hold a sacred concert in Invercarptill on Sunday night after church service. They had not sufficient money to j?ay their fares back to Australia, and Sunday night entertainments were more remunerative than those held on other evenings in the week. On the casting vote of the Mayor, the request was declined, on account of the entertainments being given for profit, it being held that the other nights of the week should be xitilised foi the ptirpose.