N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2561, 6 May 1903, Page 17

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

The executive of the Southland branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union decided on Saturday to make a levy of 8s 6d per member on all branches for the provincial executive This includes the Is payable for the colonial executive.

It was stated at a recent meeting of the. Kimbolton branch of the Farm-era' Union that there were at present between 19,000 and 20 000 members of the union on the roll, and that the House of Representatives contained 35 members who would support the union.

OTAGO,

The annual meeting of the Hecldon Bu=h

branch was poorly attended, owing to a largo number of the members being, busy getting in their hanest. However, all who weie present enrolled, and, with one exception, tigned the guarantee bond. Mr John Catto was elected president, Mr W. Watson treasurer, and Mi J. B. Forde, jun., secretary. It is anticipated that the membership of the branch will be fully maintained during the year. A meeting of tht Wakatipu branch was hell on April 26. Mr Pater?on, the faim«>r->' veterinary surejeon, gave a very intciv=ting address on the diseases ">f horses aud cattle. Several questions were ask»d the lecturer by members regarding their own animals, andi much information we derived by the inswprs. Mr Pater c on intends" visiting the district quarterly, when he will give further addresses. Mr Pater=on al?o intends forwarding tr the secretary (Mr Ilhnj;■worth) a box of emergency medicine-, frr distribution amongst the member, )f tho union He /pepned a special \otv of thank* for his instructive a^Jre-^. , Tho anmis.l meeting of the Tokar ihi branch fook place on April 24. Mr L. Murray in tho chair The following is tho committee's report: — "This branch has now been in existence 12 months, the number of membor= being 64. Thorp wire ninpmeetings held. A large amount of correspondence, Ptc , has taken place, and a few

service on Kgapara and Tokaralii lines, alteration of the electorate, bird poison, grooms' fees travelling with stallion^ ineuranee, proposed change of the executive from. Dunedin to (Jamaru in -' connection with North Otago" Co-operative Associations. We regret to inform you that we found the revenue received not sufficient to cover expenses, the balance sheet showing a debit balance of £1 10s sd. No doubt owing to the' Crown Tenants' Association being In existence, and looked upon by us as being of more importance, "the union has been relieved of a large amount of work' in connection with Icoal matters. At the same time wo must impress upon all the settlers and others that the union is doing good work for the farmers in New Zealand." The annual report and balance sheet were read and adopted. — It was resolved that this branch be continued, and the annual subscription be 5s. — The following were appointed a committee: — Messrs Duffey, Dasl«r, Beck, Waddel, Murray, Hughes, Here, Hutchison, O'DonneH, Duff, M Cone, Jardine, andl J. Adams. — A circular was received in connection with Mr Kirkbride's bill re Mutual Insurlface Company, on the lines of the Ontario Insurance Act. It was resolved that this branch strongly recommend that our member (Mr Herdman) be asked to support Mr Kirkbride'a bill next session. The meeting of the Southland Provincial Executive, held on April 25, was attended by Messrs M'Queen (chairman), H. M'Coll, Jas. M'Keroher, Jas. Milne, H. J. Middleton,' and A. Tapper. In reference to the appointment of Mr M'lndoe as analytical chemist to the union, it was agreed to be moslt desirable that euoh an appointment ehould be made, but in the present state of the finances it was decided that the matter must bo held over. — A report of Mr PaterBon's progress was "made, showing that he had formed several new branches and enrolled many new members. He had nob met with one refusal from a farmer to join the union, and a list was submitted' of districts he will /isit to form branches, after which a programme will be made for his revisiting the whole of ifche 'branches. — It was decided to make a levy on all branches for the Provincial Executive of 8s 6d per member, including the Is that has to be paid for the Colonial Executive, and that branch secretaries be requested to remit on account of same as early as possible. — The question of establishing classes for lectures on agricultural science and chemistry was then considered. The Chairman (Mr J. M'Queen) gave a short statement of the proposals put forward in conference by Messrs W. Macalister and A. F. Hawke. It was desired that a course of lectures should be given in Invercangill, under the auspices of the Farmers' Union, but in conjunction with the High Schools and Education Board. The cost would probably be small, while the course of lectures would be of great benefit to the farming community in particular. Mr J. Milne (Wyndham) was of opinion that these lectures would have a very beneficial effect, more especially those on agricultural science. There was a difficulty fanners found in trying to get their sons to take an interest in their meetings, but these lectures would give an attraction which was not provided at the meetings. Mr~A. Tapper the scheme was a move in the Tight direction. The lectures would be largely availed of by the school staffs and farmers' sons, and they mu3t prove very beneficial. He moved — "That the matter be favourably considered by the executive, \v\o affirm the desirability of establishing a course of lectures on agricultural science and chemistry." Mr M'Kerdier (Woodlands) said that he had thought that the object of the board in starting the course of lectures was more to gjet the country teachers initiated into agricultural ohemistry, so that they could communicate the knowledge to the pupils, rather than for the benefit of the farmers. Mr M'Queen thought the best way to deal with the matter would be to appoint committee to meet the High Schools and Education Boards and confer with them for the carrying out of the scheme. It was unanimously resolved to adopt this suggestion, and Messrs M'Queen and Milne were appointed to confer with representatives from the boards. The motion proposed by Mr Tapper was carried unanimously. — It wa3 decided to hold' a Farmers' Union picnio on Empire Day (May 25) at Mataura, the chairman and secretary to make the necessary arrangements with the Railway Department for special trains and excursion fares ; the prc&ident and members of the Colonial Executive tc be invited to be present. CANTERBURY. There was a good attendance of members at the annual meeting of the We-t Melton branch. A satisfactory report and balance sheet were mLrnillrd. '] hv Chairman gave, a resume of the work done by the union, and a hparty vote of thanks was pas-ed to them for the manner in which lie- had re-pre-cnted the biandi at the Pro\ incial Conference*. A strong committee was elected, Mr Watson be nsj r<- elr-rted chairman and Mr Robert^ secretary and trna-urer. The annual mceiinef of the Pleasant Poms brarch was h"ld on April 27. Mr A CleHiul pfo-idod. Ti.e Cnairipan rrnortod tint there wto 73 members of this branch, an I that =i\ mpptingT had been held during Mi" pa=t year Ho hoped that some good to tli.» mtere-ts of farm^r^ had rpsiilwl or would result They had dealt with the threshen.*question, and had dKcii'V'o 1 the nece==ity of direct shipments of frozen meat to -no northern ports of the United Kingdom, the I «eed of j2re£erriaK freedom of contract ,'n '

tne employment of . labour, ami other ma 1 :- • ters, and Hh-ey were always ready to watch ■ farmer*', interests, and deserved full .support, from every farmer. The balance s-beeifi showed £11 4s receipts and expenses £10 19s, leaving a small balance of 5s in the hands of the treasurer. — Office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year as follows: — Chairman, Mr A. Oleland; secretary and treasurer, Mr Stewart; luditor, Mr George Butler; committee — Messrs Driscoll, Maze, Stewart, Wagley, Aoton, Cleland, Verity, T. Orr, Shepherd, »nd Sutherland. Messrs Cleland and Acton were appointed delegates to the Provincial Council. — A long discussion took place on >the desirability of securing the services of t travelling veterinary surgeon and agent. A mclbion was carried that the Provincial Executive should, it possible, engage a veterinary surgeon. — The member's subscription was fixed at 5g per annum, and the opinion seemed to prevail that a uniform rate throughout the colony, should be arrived at. — After discussion, on the proposal made by Mr S&ddon to give preferential employment to members cf labour jnions, the following motion was carried: — "That this branch strongly objects to any preference in employment be- > ing giv€ai by law to members of unions."— • It was agreed that Mr Kirkbride's insurance proposals should be supported. At the annual meeting of the* Tokarahi branch of the Farmers' Union a debit balance of £1 10s 5d was reported. It was decided to continue the branch.