NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2513, 14 May 1902, Page 11

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

OTAGO PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE.

A meeting of the Otago Provincial Executive- of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held on the 6th in the Board Room of the Agricultural Hall. The following members were present: — Messrs H. Buckland (Waikouaiti), D. Barrio (Oamaru), W. Blackie (Taieri), J. B. Blair (Outram), A. Fraser (Tuapeka), H. S. Oibell (Waikouaiti), James Ross (Palmerston), — Scott (Maniototo), John Findlay (Clutha), R. Simmers (Waikoikoi), and A. Campbell (Milton, secretary). Apologies were received from Messrs H. Craig (chairman, Waitahuna), D. Reid, and John Tough (Milton). Mr Buckland was voted to the chair.

Mr H. C. Campbell (secretary of the Agricultural Hall Company) wrote declining to grant the free use of a room for meetings of the union. — Several of the delegates mentioned that they understood the union was to be granted this privilege. — On the motion of Mr Orbell, it was decided that a committee, consisting of the -chairman and Messrs Ross, Blair, and Blackie, wait on the directors in regard to the matter.

The Taranaki Executive wrote stating that they had passed resolutions to the effect that the co-operative labour system as at present administered was far too costly, ami should he done away with ; also that a protest be entered against the action of the Government in levying income tax on co-operative dairy factories. He requested tho Otago Executive to forward them to the General Executive for their approval.— The Chairman said he thought the Taranaki branch could do that themselves. — Received. The County Clerk of the Waitahuna County Council wrote stating that his council had passed a resolution to the effect that they should take the initiative in approaching the Government in the matter of asking thorn to offer a bonus for the best specific to kill small birds. — Received. The Secretary of tho Clinton branch wrote stating that his branch would guaran-< tee £20,000 in fire insurances if the premiums were reduced. They agreed with the suggestion of the executive that small lots of land should be grouped so as to avoid "star lots." — Received. The Secretary of the Waitati branch for-

warded resolutions passed by his branch. They were to the effect that the executive be thanked for their success in getting the conditions of sale of wheat altered ; that they trusted that the executive might succeed, in getting reduced to some extent the rates of commission on auction sales ; that, as the accident insurance law was of such far-reaching effect, they recommended employers to insure ; and that they desired the opinion of the Executive Council in regard to the best means of coping with the rabbit pest. — Received. The Honorary Secretary of the Waitati branch also forwarded copies of further resolutions passed by his branch. They were to the effect that the Waitati branch was of opinion that the conference meetings should be peripatetic, and that the practice of using pea-rifles had become co dangerous to life and property that they recommended the Executive Council to take such action as it deemed advisable to abate the nuisance. — Received.

The Secretary of the Balclutha branch wrote stating that his branch had passed resolutions to the following effect, and it was requested that the Otago executive should bring them before the Government: That local bodies be granted by the Government subsidies of pound for pound; also, that his branch approves of the Government being asked to reduce by 5 per cent, the present rates of duty on all materials used for the destruction of rabbits — viz., shot, cartridges, rabbit traps, etc. — Received.

The Secretary of the Peninsula branch of the Farmers' Union wrote stating that his branch was willing to do all in their power to start and maintain any company which would guarantee a substantial reduction in insurance rates, though he would not at present furnish thorn with the amount likely to be insured. They decided on Dunedin as the most suitable place for the next conference. — Adopted.

The Denartment of Agriculture wrote stating that the matter of offering a bonus for the/ discovery of an effective means of exterminating small birds wculd receive careful consideration.

Mr Arthur Glass, organising general secretary, wrote stating that afe^ he had practically completed the organisation of the union throughout the colony, and feeling that his own private interests could no longer be neglected, he tendered his resignation from date of meeting of the first Colonial Council in Wellington. He intended to take an activo part in the welfare of the union, but he had no intention of accepting any official position under the Colonial Executive. — Received.

Mr Glass wrote further stating that he found he could not possibly organise the whole colony before the colonial conference took place, and finding that the Otagro Executive was working will, he considered it his duty to hand over the province to it to finish its own organisation. Mr Glasß asked the executive to take over the Otago district from April 1. and suggested that the province should be cut up into districts; that men be appointed to canvass the die'tricts thoroughly, and Is be paid for each man or woman who joined. — The letter was roenivcd, and it wa« decided to send a copy of that part of the letter referring to organisation to each branch asking them to coneider the matter. > tr- — Uui waa received from the Genera)

Executive asking the opinion of the Otago Executive as to the most suitable time and place for the proposed colonial conference of the Farmers' Union. — It was decided to reply stating that the Otago Executive favoured W-©slington as the place of holding the conference ; that the moat suitable time ,; in their opinion was during the session of j Parliament; and that they were of opinion that one delegate should be sent from 1000 members, over 1000 two delegates. Messrs Buckland and Orbell were appointed to attend the conference. The Secretary of the North Canterbury Provincial Executive wrote enclosing Mr Recce's report of the fire insurance deputation. — It was decided to forward the Otago Executive's proportion of Mr Recce's expenses, and to express to the Canterbury Executive the thanks of the Otago Executive for Mr Recce's report. The following is Mr Recce's report: — The deputation consisted of Messrs J. G-. Wilson and Hamilton, representing the North Island, and H. F. Reeco, the South Island. They waited on the Underwriters' Association by appointment on February 6th mat., and pointed out tci them that very great .dissatisfaction existed over the whole of New Zealand among the farming community at the existing rates of fire insurance on farm buildings, etc. It was felt that farmers' were paying for tho large fires that " occurred in the towns, which seemed grossly unfair. Tho matter was fully gone into, and the deputation trusted that the, companies would see their way to making substantial reductions. Tho reply was received in some 10 days' time. It was most unsatisfactory, the gist of it being that the Farmers' Union shcralA /urnish figures of fires, premiums, etc., information which, of course, the fire- companies already have or can much more easily obtain than we can. The companies cannot at present see their way to granting tiny concessions. Lloyd'e representative in Wellington was seen as to the probability of getting better terms. Correspondence with London is now taking place, and it is quite possible that some feasible scheme may result. Tho desirability of forming a New Zealand Farmers' Union Fire Insurance Company was discussed. It was felt by many of the members present that it would be preferable to insure with tho existing Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative Insurance Company, if certain conditions could be altered and concessions wade. The question is a large ana difficult one to handle, and wiil require time, tact, and patience to bring it to a successful issue, which I feel confident will be the final result. Tho North Canterbury Committee appointed Messrs M'Millan, Pannett, and Recfe to investigate and negotiate in the matter, and lepoi-fc on May 7. Mr Ross moved — "That the Government be requested to alter the jury system so as to provide that at least one-half of the jurymon in sheep and cattle stealing eases shall be selected from those engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits." In speaking to the ir-otion, Mr Ross srjd he had discussed the matter with several members of Parliament, and each of them had said that the step proposed was a wise one. A Legislative Councillor declared that it was the most sensible thing the union had brought up so far. — (" Hear, hear.") Justice Conolly, in giving a decision lately, said that trial by jury was almost becoming a farce. The Chief Justice had eaid that in cattle or 6heep stealing it was almost impossible to get a

verdict. The police were getting quite care* j less in regard "to the matter, and would ! hardly go to the trouble of .taking it up. Another argument in favour of the change was that it was impossible for persons brought up in towns to understand earj marks, etc. , \ j Mr Findlay seconded the motion. j Mr Scott supported it, and eaid he knew I bis branch would be 'in favour of it. I The Chairman said he had made inquiries, and had been informed by' legal persons that the alteration was directly in face of the constitution. On the other hand, he had spoken to dx or seven, members 'of Parliament, who had promised to support the proposed ".change. There were so many things that the New Zealand Parliament got over that they might get over this."— (" Hear, hear," and laughter.) • , The Chairman brought up the question of drawing up a schedule of questions to be submitted to candidates for Parliament all the approaching election. He said this was a matter which required taking up immediately. It was quite clear to him that? unless they could show some good work the union would bur3t like a rotten egg. If they drew up the schedule and obtained the opinions of candidates on it there was & chance of their getting^, some effective ■ legislation. - ' ," j Mr .Fraser approved the idea, which ! should be taken up on strictly' non-party lines. He thought the matter should be referred to a sub-committee to frame quee- | tions. Mr Buckland said there was no time like the present." They should draw up tho schedule and get a reply "Yes" or "No" to them. What they wanted from candidates was an unqualified assent to their proposals. If a candidate quibbled he should stand down, and they would then select one more suitable. Further, they wanted candidates to "pledge themselves that they would vote on any unforeseen questions that would crop up as the executive of the district to which they belonged instructed them. After further discussion ifc was decided to go into committee to draw iup a platform on the line 3 suggested. This was not done, however, until several members had expressed the opinion that che Otago unions were the slowest of all, and that both in Southland and Canterbury the unions were very energetic. ' Mr Orboll reported that the auctioneers had been approached by the representatives of several branches of the union in regard to a reduction on their commission. The auctioneers, however, had decided that they could not make any reduction on the present rates whatever. On the motion of Mr Fraser, it was decided that the second annual conference of the Otago Branch of the New Zealand farmers' Union" should ba held on Thursday afternoon, tho 22nd inst. • " - On the motion of Mr OrbolL it was decided to write to the Representation Commissioners recommending the commission, j when planning electorates, to arrange the boundaries so that a community of interests should be preserved; that towns and boroughs should form electorates by themselves, likewise country districts. ! The executive then went into committee to draw up the schedule of questions foe parliamentary candidates

I 'A Napier message says: — .twenty-seven I applications were received for tlie vacant , bead mastership of the Boys' High School. Mr A. S. M. Poison, who for a number of years filjed the position of second master, lias been chosen. The new bead rnaatcr is a colonial by birth, having been educated in the Otago High School and OU3O TTni- . .YAEftit*. ~ " *

The Bishop of Luc know, Jn a recent charge to his clergy, ga\e Mime valuable figures with regard to the spread of Ohiistianity in his diocese, lie stated that the total nuinb'r of native Christians in the district was C 3.841. Ten years ago it was 23,406. and 20 years ago it was cn'.y 11,523. Jt hud theicfore nearly trebled in