N.Z. FARMERS UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2572, 1 July 1903, Page 41

N.Z. FARMERS UNION.

OTAGO,

A new brecich of tho Farmers' Union is hkedy to be fcrm^d at Uleniiain. A meeting of the settlers there was held t he other evening at Mr Thompson's larm, and it was d-eoidcd to hold regular meetings thtre.

A meeting of the Palmerston branch was be>ld on June 20, Mr J. Rots (pres.dent) in the chair. A letter was received from 6hc Pre-cid-eat Otego Council conveying a suggestion made by Mr D. Reid, M.H.R., that it would be advisable for the farmers of New Zealand to have one generally accepted day in each year in which t«e occupation of holdings should begin and end. Thus all farm leases would terminate on the same day. The simple principle might afeo be» made to apply to the employment of farm hands. It was suggested that a bill with the objects mentioned in view might be introduced into the House. Tho Preside iA said the idea was a good one. but he nig afraid it wae impracticable, and it wa6 decided to reply to tdi-e executive to uia.t effect. — Tho Department of Agricultuie wrote enclosing two drafts of the Stud Bill. One of these had been introduced last session, but hud not pa=sed and an amended bill for the approval of the branch was enclosed. On the motion of Mr T. Muir, seconded by Mr D. Rnss, the bill, of amended, was approved — A letter was received from the executive stating that Mr Gilruth would be willing to deliver a course, of lectures in Palmenston on veterinary matters provided that a guarantee of 15 members at 10s 6d each vr&B given by the branch. The President said the idea wa6 an excellent one, and he hoped to se* the matter arramgrd. Mr Philip strongly supported the suggestion, and he moved that the eecretaTy write to the member.* a.nd ascertain how many would be willing io subscribe and attend. Mr Muir. second the motion, which was carried unanimously. After further discussion, nine subscribers were guaiantccd in tho room, arid as no trouble was anticipated in obtaining the- required number, it was decided, on the motion of Mr Fleming, to wnte to the exeoutive that the branch would guarantee 15 members and that Mr Gilruth's services be arranged for. The. annual meeting of the Central Otago branch, whioh had been adjourned more than once, took place at Ophir on June 18, Mr John Wilson (president) in tlie chair. There was a. good attendance of members. The Chairman regretted the apathy that was shown in regard to the union, and strongly urged m-ambera to take a live interest in it. He pointed out the inestimable benefits that farmers derived from sticli a union, and impressed on nicm-bers the fact that a power euch as the union should be could ha-ve a big cay in the matter of legislation. There were many things that required amending. The Liability Act was a notable instanre. Farmers had now to pay double rates, which was, of oouree. exorbitant. — There aro 80 members on the roll. — TJw> balance sheet, showing a er&dit of £3 Is Bd, was read and adopted. — Mr Wilson was re-elpoted president, and other officers were appointeel as follows: — Mr Gerkens vice-pres'dent, Mr A. Kinnev treasurer, Mr "Will Laidlaw auditor, and Mr T Duggan secretary. Tho monthly meeting of the- Balfour branch was held on June 20. There was a very good attendance of memlx~<r9, and great int«m?t aas manifested in the biiMnes 5 brought IK-fore the meeting Mr W. R. Wood (president) occupied the chair, and announced that the. chief business which was to engaare their attention that night was tho consideration of the proposed Stud Bill aa sent down to the different branch** by the Mini«rter of Agriculture-. The Chairman read the bill, and after sonn* discussion on the part of tho=« present, Mr Marphereooi moved: "That in the main this branch support* the ideas as «et forth in the bill." The motion was carried urani moualy. — Mr GeoTgo Stuart moved : "That the secretary of this branch write to Messrs Fraser and Thomson, M.H.R's. for Wakatipu and Wallace, atkinsr them to assist Mr Kirkbride in eecurinar the passage of his Mutual Fire Insurance Bill." Carried without dissent. — Mr Maophereon moved — "That thie branch insiste that Mr Paterson. veterinary surgeon, shall devote more of his time to outlying districts." Particular attention was drawn, to the- fact that the lectures to be delivered by Mr Paterpon are confined to InrercargiJl and Gore. It was thought by tha meeting that one or two of th& lectures should be given in lih©_ outlying parts of the district, of whioh Invereargilt and Gore are ineonv&nient centres. This motion was seconded by Mr Henricksen and carried unanimoiuily.

CANTERBURY.

The Stud Bill was discussed at the last meeting of the Hororaia, branch, and the opinion was expressed that the bill in its present form it unworkable. Th» following have been elected officers of this branch: Chairman, Mr Hall : vica-chairman, Mr Watscm; secretary, Mr Steek ; and a com mittee of 13 members.

The Pleasant Point branch met on .Tune 22. There -was a. fair attendance, and Mr Andrew Cleland occupied' the chair. The Chairman faid that there was not a great deal to bring before the meeting, but it was very deeirab'e to meet, as it served to hold members together in their common interests The correeprmdence would, however, claim their attention — A circular from the Agricultural Department eoncommg an amended Stud Bill -which would come before the

House nest session gave rise to a long discussjon, an<l it was finally resolved, on the motion of Mr Maze, seconded by Mr J. M'Beath — "'That all stallions of whatever age ought to be subject to •examination and require a certificate." On the motion of Mr F. O. Mathewsj. seconded by Mr Driscall, it was resolved — "That half value ought to be paid on all stallions which have pi enviously eeryed, if now disqualified." — The Chairman brought forward the former recommendation as to the vahio of veterinary surgeons for the South Canterbury branches of the union, if the difficulty of finance could be overcome. Mr Webb suggested that the Stock Department should be urged to issue leaflets on stock diseases, and that a email stock of medicines *nd instruniente might be kept at each branch of the union. Mr Norton drew attention to the objectionable practice of bringing to the blacksmith and travelling on the publio roads horses which were suffering badly from diseases -which were very infectious. There was legislation in this respect in regard to sheep and cattle, hut none referring to horses. — Mr Acton briefly detailed what was done at the last meeting of the South Canterbury Executive and referred to what he hoped would be done at the Colonial Conference on July 7.