EAST TAIERI FARMERS' UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2664, 5 April 1905, Page 22

EAST TAIERI FARMERS' UNION.

- The -fifth annual meeting of the East ~ : Taieri '■Branch of the New Zealand Caion held- on Monday in the County Mbsgiel. There was a- good .attendance of members, and the chairman _ ■ {Mr "J. Henderson) presided. _ The report submitted stated that eight -meetings of committee had been held during •the year, all of which were well attended, . and that during the year the union had started the mutual fire insurance business, _ which, if supported by the farmers, should ... prove- a very_ profitable venture, and would "also strengthen' the union very considerably. The bafilnoe ehee^ after allowing for the payment of all .expenses and liabilities, showed a small credit' balance. The report and- balance sheet were adopted without discussion. la accordance with the usual custom, the retiring chairman (Mr Henderson) nominated a« his successor Mr D. T. Shand, who Assumed the chair, and the following officers '. were elected: — Secretary. Mr J. H. Allan (re-elected) ; auditor, Mr W. Charters ; comgittee — Messrs. D. T. Shand, J. Henderson, . Muir, H. Boyd, A. Todd, W. Charters, J. Gbw, C. Findlay, W. Blackie, J. Kirklahd, J. Shand, J. H. Allan, and Thomas Gawn. A letter was read from the secretary desiring to be relieved of his aecre.tarial duties, bufc at tEe express wish of the meeting Mr Allan consented to continue the office for another term, and a sum of ' £5 was -voted as salary. - '_ THE ANNUAL LEVY. Mr- Henderson mentioned that at the Dunedin Conference it was suggested that icrofters or small holders should be admitted _fes members of the union on payment of a ?ee> of ss, and he understood the matter would ' be brought up at the annual meetings of all the branches of the union. He thought the suggestion was a fair and equitable one,, ac it oould not be expected .shat holders of 10 or 15 acres with a few cows would pay the same levy as larger (holders. He would therefore move that small farmers with holdings, freehold or leasehold, up to 20 acres be allowed to join the union on payment of a 5s levy, and that all other members pay 103. The | matter was an important one for small Jholders, as. if they were not members of the union, they would not be allowed to insure their house 3 in the Farmers' Mutual iFire Insurance. The motion was seconded by Mr R. Muir. •nd carried unanimously. TA&UEBS' FIRE INSIXB4NCE AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT. The Chairman, in reply to a question, said arrangements had been made with the State Fire Insurance Department whereby all insurances effected under the farmers' mutual fire insurance scheme- would be reinsured on very good terms. He thought the- arrangement was a very satisfactory one from the farmer's standpoint, as with only £40,000 they could not hope to do much business. He would go further, and say that with only £40,000 it would be unsafe for the farmer to insure with the association, as in the event of a big fire they would not be abl& to pay. If they tad £2,000,000 or £5,000,000 it would be different, bufc under the circumstances they were notanxiotts to make profits, and wei-e quiie satisfied if they paid expenses while they were building up a business, and in time they would no doubt arrive at the position that they would be able to do with less reinsurance. GENERAL. Mr Blaokie expressed the opinion that j farmers should not be called upon to pay 1 more than 2£ ocr cent, on M sold [

on commission, an exeini3tion being made ! in the case of stud stock, and this view seemed to meet with general favour. Accounts amounting to £9 16s were i passed ' for payment, and the meeting adjourned.