N.Z FARMERS' UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2695, 8 November 1905, Page 21

N.Z FARMERS' UNION.

OTAGO. The Tapanu 1 branch met on the 27th ulfc. jVlr' G. Howat presided. The proposal from the provincial executive that members should pool orders for manures, wcolpacks, cornsacks,- etc., met with the hearty approval of the meeting, and if was arranged to call a special meeting to deal with the question. A very animated discussion occurred over the Harvester 'xrust,, the .general opinion being that the agitation that has arisen in the centres against the trust is premature. The following resolution was carried — "That this branch of the Farmers' Union is entirely opposed to any duty being levied on imported agricultural implements, but believes % that raw material imported for "the purpose of manufacturing agricultural implements should c>e placed on the free list." An adjourned general meeting of i'.e Waikoikoi branch was held on the 28th ult., Mr George Cunningham (president) in the chair. A letter wa9 read from the secretary of the Clinton branch ie the sending of a delegate to a meeting to he held at Clinton on November 2 to discuss the question of selecting a candidate to represent the dutha electorate. After some discussion, the following resolution was carried — "That the matter of selecting a candidate to represent Clutha be postponed until we have heard Mr Roy, and that the secretary be instructed to write the secretary of the Clinton branch stating tha.t this branch considers we have been given too short notice to be able to decide on either the selection of a candidate or the appointment of a delegate." It was moved" by Mi Ronald M'Donald and seconded by Mr Fergus Ferguson, and carried — "That all present form a committee to support a candidate after we have heard Mr Roy." It was also decided that tha committee meet- immediately -after Mr Roy's address. — Mr R. Simmers gave notice that he would, at next meeting, move that the branch discus 3 the matter of a scale of .graduated fees. He said there was a growing feeliiig amongst .members of branches that there should- be such a scale. It was fait that a man with only 100 or 200 acres should not have to pay as much as one with, say, 600 acres. A meeriug of farmers was held at Glenham on- Wednesday last to consider the advisability of forming a local branch of the Farmers' Union. Mr N. E. Leighton. who had convened the meeting, was called to the chair. He said that the majority of those present were enrolled as members of either the Wyndham or Island branches ; but ii it were- decided to organise a Glenham branch, those gentlemen could be transferred to it without having to pay any additional fees for the current year. With the advent of a local branch, he trusted to see educational advantages following in its wake, such as 'ectures and practical demonstrations on veterinary, dairying, and chemical matters of particular interest to farmers. He called on Mr Scott, organising secretary for Southland, to address the meeting. Mr Scott said he had been pretty well round all of what might be termed the Glsnham district that day, and had interviewed the majority of the settlers. A membership of at least 16 could be safely relied on. He alluded to the beneficial influence of small branches, one of which, if formed, Glenham would probably be. At Scott's Gap, for instance, there were only eight farming families, vet every eligible person was a member of the union, and a healthy branch existed there. It was unanimously resolved that a branch of the Farmers' Union be formed at Glenham. Mr Leighton was appointed chairman and Mr A. R.. Ayson secretary. Theoraanising secretary said he would do his beat, to secure a medicine chpst. — It was decided to meet on the first Monday evening in each month. The annual subscription was fixed at 12s # 6d. Mr William Watson presided at the monthly meeting of the Heddon Bush branch. A cix-cular received from the

central executive urged branches to unite at the coming election, with a view of returning representatives pledged to the union platform. — A circular from the j; rovincial executive notified the appointment of Mr Scott as organising secretary, and detailing his duties, especially in respect to the collecting of members' fees in arrears, and the steps to be taken to induce farmers to join the union. The members of this branch, though not numerically strong, are staunch adherents, and most enthusiastic in all matters appertaining to the union.