N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2572, 8 July 1903, Page 31

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

OTAGO. Leas than a dozen members attended the meeting of the Tapanui branch on the 27th ult., notwithstanding that a special muster was requested. Mr Geo. Howat presided. In reply to requests to Koi and Crookston branones to amalgamate and accept tho course of lectures by the Government vet., the former branch wrote stating that they expected to have sufficient members to form a ilass at Waikoikoi, as it was too far for some of the members to go to Tarffanui. — On the circular giving the conditions of the loctuies being read, it was resolved, on the motion of the Oliainnan and Mr James Murney, jun., that the offer be accepted. Nnne names were enrolled, and the president undertook to find the required number. — Tho secretary was instructed to write thanking the secretary of die Southland Union for information concerning- the terms of appointment of veterinary surgeon, consideration of the matter to stand over in the meantime. — Tho subscription was fixed at the same rate as laet year. The annual meeting of the Clinton branch was held on Thursday last, when thero waa a large attendance of member*. The report and balance sheet showed the branch to be in a good position, and on the moticei of Mr T. Taylor they were adopted as read. Mr James Taylor proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the retiring office-bearers, Mr John Clarke (president) and Mr D. Wallace (secretary), and spoke in eulogistic terms of tho work they had done in connection with the branch. Mr Clarke was reappointed president, Mr T. Taylor vice-proeid«nt, and Mr D. Wallace secretary. The following committee was also appointed to confer with the office-bearers: — Messrs Tait, Johneton, Miller (Taumata), Miller (Popotunoa), Hall. J. B. Thomson, Jas. Begg, Tolmie, J. Alexander, H. G. Steel, and M'Gregor. — A letter was rocchrd from the secretary, Dunedin, stating H at the provisions of tho bill to bo introduce*! next session by Mr Krrkbride, M.H R , m eounectitm with fire insurance, and asking the eupnort of the branch. It was decided to support the proposal. Letters were also received from Mr J. W. Thomson and Mr Thomas Mackenzie-, who had been communicated with, promising to support tho bill. — A letter was received from Mr G. L. Stwart, enclosing copy of terms for^ the proposed course of leotures to be given on veterinary science-. Fifteen membcre handed in their names to the sfcrotary. The members of the Oamaru branch mot on the 27th ult. Thero was a good attendance, and Mr W. W. Wylio (president) was in the chair. *I ho special meeting. called to decide whether the branch would register as an industrial union, was firbt held. The Chairman thought ev&ry member would agree that the branch eliould be =o registered. At present a ea>° might be brought against the m<MnbPr= individually, and registration obviated that. Mr Cuthbortson nio\ed— "That the branch be registered as au industrial urion " Mr J C Nichols seconded t'iw. Mr W. ScthSmith, tho •secretary, hero read th° principal clausrs of the aot referring to rofi.-tration. The Chairman thought they s-horM le^i-teT 03 th<> North Otago branc'i, and (Kit that should include all the branches in North Otago. Mr Gardiner said each branch would have to register separately. Mr Robertson moved ns an amendment — "T^at tho subject be held over for three weeks, and that the other brandies be asked to consider the matter in the meantime." Mr Hughes seconded this. Mr Morton hoped that all would fall in. and that they would have one strong industrial union. The amendment being put to the meeting was defeated, and the motion carried, the union to be registered as the North Otago Farmers' Union of Employers. Tho secretary was instructed to take the steps necessary tc effect registra-

i tion. The Chairman then declared the r special ln-eeting at an r-nd, and t-Jie ordinary meeting was proceeded with. — Soveral nvenij bars vuhed further information with respect r to the lectures on veterinary surgery, wliieh r it had be-on decided at last meeting should be adked for. Mr G-ardiner said tliat some : difficulty had been experienced in getting > 14- members, to promise the necessary donai tion of half a guinea, and Mr Boirio had » promised to make* two such donations if [ fcho 15 could not be made up im any other , way. Those, donations had been promised on •the assumption that if they were paid ■ the lectures would be Iree (o ail membere. ; He thought if they were only going to get i 15 members to attend these lectures they had better drop it altogeth«i. The Ch&ir- ; man thought the offer a very liberal one. ; The expens2B would nearly absorb the whole of the 15 donations, and all lie could say was that anyone who grudged about eightponce for a lecture for am' hour and a-half ought to stay away. Mr Gardiner remarked , on ihe difficulty of getting farmers to pay the membership fee. He aeked, was it likely that they would get many to pay 10s 6d? He gave notice as follows — "That the resolution passed at last meeting re Mr Gil- • ( ruth's lectures be rescinded, and that unless more liberal term* can be arranged in so far as giving the. public, an opportunity of hearing the lectures without being charged lCfe 6di each, the whole matter be dropped so far as concerns this branch in Oamaru." Carried. — The secretary subsequently, when • the meeting was breaking up, mentioned > that he had written trie provincial gee- | retary, intimating that the Oamaru branch desired the lectures given here. CANTERBURY. The committee of the Waimate bianch met on the 27th ult., Mr Borne (president) in the chair. A letter was received from the Provincial Executive for South Canter- | bury requiring copy of balance eheet for year ended March 31, 1903 {Waimate levy not yet received), and re delegates' expenses — The Oamaru branch a->ked for particulars as to membership and registration of Farmers' Union as an industrial union. — The ' Secretary (Mr C. Akhurst) read a draft of a scheme for raising funds for payment of a veterinary surgeon for this district. Itvs resolved on th,o motion of Messrs Douglas and Hertslett that a levy be made of 2s 6d for each horse and 3d for each cow, to provide funds for the payment of a resident veterinary surgeon for Waimate County ; and that a circular be printed and circulated amongst the farmerg with the view of canvassing for support in the carrying out of this scheme. — It was also resolved that Mr Douglas, aa delegate from Waimate, bring before the next conference of the Colonial Executive the advisability and importance of supporting the Stud Bill for inspection of stud horses. j A meeting of tho Harewood Road branch , was held on Wednesday last. Mr P. Acton- I Adams presided, and there was a largp at- ; tendance, Mr H. F. Rcoce (president of tho North Canterbury Provincial District) being amongst those present. — In opening tho •mooting, tho Chairman stated that it had^ bf>en called for the purpose of hearing an" address from the president. — Mr Ree-ce, who was loudly applauded m ribing, said that he wanted them to wake up their branch in order that all the farmeis in the district might be induced to join it. _Mr Recce , went in to deal with the platform of the Farmers' Union, speaking at some length on the question of freehold tenure. lie referred to Mr Seddon's remarks at Akaroa, when he expressed hia disapproval of those who, having used the leasehold 6ystem a<» a ladder to success, wanted to kick it away after ■they had used it. They werp quite right, hocontended, in kicking away tho ladder, (or they did not wi>-h to remain porchc-'d on it all their lives. They wanted the freehold, ' and those who had it should do all in iheir . power to keep it. They had only to drive round the country io srr< th< v differen.e between freehold and leasehold. The evils of the leasehold system were very readily apparent. He hoped that they would fight for their rights as long as they had strength to do 60. After mentioning the Fair Kent Bill, Mr Rfcce spoke of the contention that Customs duties should be imposed for revenue purposes only, and that no protective duties shon'd be established. He stated that the farmers were naturally freetraders, and nnmt emphasise 1 1ns plank of thoir platform in order that their produce mu'ht have a fair chance in ont=id° markets. \lr Rooro wont on to Bpr«k of the work done by tho Farmr-rs' Union, statins? that it had soured morp atcurato {Tram reports for the benefit of far inerfl He d"ta'l<>d what had beon clone in the matter fif fire nnd aicdent in=ur air-c, and «ta_tpd that Mr Kirkhride viould introduce a bill into th* Hoire tin? session providing for a fanners' mutual insurance | a--tx.ation. In opening up mark r ts th« union had had pomp si!f(r« ] particulirly m urging tl'O establishment of markets in .South Afnca. Th° government had tio.it d | tlip-m voi-y well in th:s matter, and lli»y could take credit to themselves for "wh'pping up the sluggish horse."' Tli<> union Lad had a confr-roncn with the woolbroker«, at which proposals for reducing and tibulati:i(? the commissions on woo] fales had been disclosed Tho biolcors woio now considering the question They were still worl.-ir? for some improvement in the matter of rail-,-way weights, but they had brought tho matter und<>r Sir Joseph Ward's notice, and were confident that he would help th?m, as ho had done on former occasions. The Agu-

cultural Department was giving them all the help posible in poisoning small birds, and if the farmers would do their share they might soon get rid of the nuisance. The distribution of frozen moat in England had been fully discussed, and he thought something would bo done. The Premier's scheme, as h came out, was a very wild one, but anyone who knew the Premier knew that he had no intention of carrying out such a scheme. They could not hope: to fight against the London me^t ring, but iv the cities to which New Zealand mutton had not yet penetrated they could open shops for the sale of New Zealand meat alone. Birmingham, Nottingham, and other towns would give a good openiaj fpr tiie carrying out of the Premier's scheme, %s\d he hoped that the experiment would be made. There were other questions that tho union had dealt with for tEo benefit of farmers. The union was wanted, and he hoped that the few weaklings who had not yet joined it would make up their minds to assert their freedom by becoming members. Some people were afraid to join it, but they ought to be toM that it could do them no harm. Tho Premier had said that he was glad to see the farmers combining for thoir mutual help, and Sir Joseph Ward and the Hon. T. Y. Duncan had sppken sympathetically of the union. The union was not a political party, but it had to touch politics, and there was no crime in the discussion of political questions. The farmers had to organise, and any farmer who would not ioin the union did not know what was good for him. Every farmer should join, and those who did should be ready to work for it in order that its strength should be maintained. In xmclueion, Mr Recce read a short summary of the objects of the union. — On the motion of Mr W. Keith, seconded by Mr C. Stanley, Mr Recce was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address.