N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2738, 5 September 1906, Page 10

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

MILTON BRANCH. CFmoic Oro Own Correspondent.) 'MILTON, August 29.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Milton Branch of the Now Zealand Farmers' Union was held in the County Chambers on the 28th ult. The President (Mr Neil M'Arthur) occupied the chair, and there was a fair number of members.

LOCAL LA.BOUB BUREAU.

This question was left over from the last meeting to enable the secretary to obtain the scale of charges laid down by the Government. This was obtained and read, as also was a letter from the Manager of the Employers' Agency, Dunedin, stating that that firm would be prepared to supply labour to the farmers at no cost to them; as the applicant for work paid all commission and train fares. Mr W. Grey thought that the local bureau should be established, as a farmer could come to Milton and explain to the agent what he wanted, and also see the person who was to be given work before that person was definitely employed. He moved that the president, vice-president, secretary, and the mover be a committee to see some fit person to take charge of a labour bureau in Milton. — The motion was seconded by Mr Falconer, and carried.

COBBESPONDENCE.

A letter was received from the Provincial Secretary (Mr J. T. Pram) re several important matters. The resolution from tho Hampden branch to join the Otago Employers' Association was considered, and ifc was resolved that the branch support the resolution and urge tho executive to join the association. Mr Pram also wrote stating that the manure for the season would be supplied through the union, and that tho executive was arranging for the supply at an early date. — This announcement waa received t\ iih applause*

Mr Pram further notified that twin"* would be supplied the same as last year, and. orders were now being awaited-— Received.

A communication asking that the various branches give more support to the Farmers' Advocate in the good work it was doing and that secretaries forward reports of meetings to it was received. The branoh was- notified that the executive strongly urged all farmers to give their patronage to the South British Insurance Company in connection with accident' insurance. — The President said this was • step in the right direction,, and he trusted ~ that members would loyally support the proposal. — The opinion expressed was favourable to the proposal, several members stating that they would hand in their names as insurers to the secretary.

SEE CULTURE.

The secretary was instructed to arrange the date of the meeting with the Government bee expert when a- letter arrived from that gentleman expressing his inten* tion of giving a lecture dn bee culture.

DISEASES IN POTATOES.

The President said it would be a good idea' to get the Government Pomologist ' to give a lecture or a demonstration as to the manner adopted in killing and wiping out the potato disease. In the event of the Government Pomologist not being 1 ~ available he suggested that some leaflets be issued by the department and oircu? iated among farmers. The. speaker said" he felt sure that a great amount of good could be got out of the lecture. Mr Scott moved to the' above effect, and in doing so said that what the farmer wanted was demonstration. It was one thing to know the theoretical part and another to put it into practice. < The motion was seconded by Mr New* bigging. and carried.

FABSCERS' REPRESENTATIVE IN THE TJPPEB

Mr Newbigjring jnoved and Mr Falconer seconded — "That this branch joins .and assists the Clutha and other branches in trying to get a practical farmer in the Legislative Council." — The motion was carried.

BILLS AFFECTING FABMEBS.

It was resolved that the secretary write * to Mr James Allen, M.H.B. for Briioe« asking: if he would supply the union with copies of all bills affeodnjr the fanning* industry or labour matters before they were passed by the House.

Mr Flatman has evidently been struck by tha number of mendicants parading the streets (says Vhe Wellington Post). Be ha*> given notice to ask if the Government will make provision for the maintenance of the indigent blind and other persons who are suffering from any affliction which prevents them from earmnsr a livelihood without parading the streets of our towns with instrumental music or other means for the purpose of obtaining a precarious existence.

Mr Fountain, of Balclutha, has left at the Leader office a very interesting volume "• published in 1735, beitur the "Naval His. Tory of England in all its Branches from the Norman Conquest in the year 1066 to the conclusion of 1734," by Thomas Lediard, gent. It is written in. Old Enjfr! liah style, and was. published in 1735. The binding is firet-dass. Mr Fountain bought the book in MiAndreas, Hepburn, and Co. 'a auction room in Dunedin many yeauw ago.

The mine manager of the Cromwell and Bannockbum Colleries Company writes to the Cromwell Argus denying the statement made in that paper last week, and reproduced in our columns, that friction has been in existence for some time past between the company and its colliers. " The relations between our employees and the company," he says, " are, and always have been, of an amicable character." He adds that any colliers who have been engaged lately by the company have been taken on solely owing to the exigencies of the trade.