NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION

Otago Witness, Issue 2541, 26 November 1902, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION

The "Waianiwa branch held its monthly meeting on the 14th inst. Intimation was received from the provincial secretary that the Commercial Union Insurance Company had withdrawn from the arrangement made owing to insufficient support from members of the union. — Mr James Beattie, of Gore, forwarded a circular setting forth the ridiculous nature of amendments made in the act relating to water rights on farmers' land, through which lie had been put to unnecessary inconvenience and expense, in regard to which the following motion was passed — "That this branch express its sympathy with Mr Bentfcie, thank him for his efforts to have the law amended, and that his claim for redr©S3 be favourably considered by the Government. 1 ' — The best means of coping wita the scarcity of railway trucks was discussed, , members agreeing that it would pay them to take a penny per bushel less for their grain if they could depend on having a more up-to-date railway service. Tho following motion, moved by Mr Beaven, was carried — "When grain has to be put down in consequence of the failure of the Railway Department to supply trucks when required, the loading on to trucks should be done by and at the expense of the department." A meeting of the Waikaka Valley branch was held on Wednesday last. Mr James M'Phail presided. The secretary notified that he had collected a email sum of money for Mr Glass's testimonial, but that one list had yet to come in. The Secretary also stated that he had had considerable trouble in regard to the subscription list, as members were for the most part scattered very much apart. He considered that many names should be struck off the list. The Secretary said that at the last meeting of the executive two or three branches were stated to have ceased to exist, while many others were in a moribund condition. Many, of the leading farmers were trying to pour oold water on the whole thing. A pcheme was to be brought forward, which, if efficiently carried out, would prove of special benefit to farmers. — The Provincial Secretary for Southland wrote stating that owing to' the want of support the Commercial Union Accident Insurance Company had decided to withdraw their offer of cheap accident insurance. The Colonial Executive regretted that the advantageous terms offered by the company were not more generally acted upon by the members of tho union. Mr Gilchrisfc moved that the letter be received. At a meeting of the executive regret had been expressed that so few farmers had availed themselves of. the offer of the Commercial Union Company. Out of 15,000 farmers in the union, about 2700 insured with this company. It was a pity" that the matter had nob be&n gone on with, and a greater pity that many farmers were not insuring their hands,, as accidents, were frequently occurring, and a conscientious farm hand, who esteemed his employer, would, perhaps, not like to take action against him. He suffered a wrong thereby, as the law of the colony in these instances protected the workers. Nearly all accidents were the result of cai-elessneps, and when farmers could protect their men for ss, he was acting unfairly when he did not do so. The Government rate was still ss. Mr W. J. Johnston fully concurred with everything Mr Gilchrist had said. It was to be regretted that advantage had not been taken of the privileges offered during the past year. He seconded the motion, which was carried. — Mr G. Morrison read an instructive article on the question of "Protection or Taxation of Land Values." At the conclusion >i the reading, Mr Gilchrist moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Morrison, and expressed the hope that the matter would be brought up again, as it was one of the big subjects, which required a deal of preparation before diecussing. — The next meeting will take place on December 12.