N.Z. FARMERS UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 23

N.Z. FARMERS UNION.

OTAGO. The monthly meeting of the ,, Clu * h f branch -was held in the Harvey Hall, Balclutha, on January 2*, Mr R. Moffat in the chair. Mr E. King, Tuapeka Mouth, wrote askinsr if the members of the Greenfield' branch could jret binder twine at the same rate as the Clutha branch. Same wrote at a later date thanking secretary and chairman for stating they wou'd allow the branch, to purchase binder twine under tho Clutha branch's arrangement. The union s price for binder twine was fixed at Ha, less 5 per cent., delivered at any station in any quantity. This is Donaghy's best twine. It was resolved that other branches be allowed to take advantage of this arrangement. "W. Swallow, Mosgiel, wrote at length giving details of the working of manure on different fields. It was decided 1 to reply to Mr Swallow stating that the union did not intend going into the question at present. The Secretary explained that yard dues were charged on stock sent to Burneide when it went to the cattleyards siding. Stock meant to go to the freezing works must be properly addressed. A meeting of th«> Milton branch was held in the County Chambers on January 28, Mr N. M' Arthur (president) in the chair. Following are the chief remits from provincial executive of business, transacted at its meeting on January 10:— Re deputation to members of Parliament, the sub-conx-mittee reported that they had waited on. several members of Parliament re manufacture of calcium nitrate, railage on hares, removal of protection from seagulls, and other matters- Middlemarch branch requested the union to ask that meetings of die Land Board be held fortnightly instead of monthly, and the Minister of Lands asked the opinion of various branches on the matter. Although this does not materially affect Brace, it was decided to support the prcposal, considering that it would he in the interests of farmers in other districts. Letters were read from the Acclimatisation Society expressing appreciation of the union's assistance in endeavouring to have protection for seagulls removed, owing to damage done by them to sheep, lamba, and Irout ; also re importation of little owls for destruction of email birds. i Duty on poultry implements : Paterson and B&rr drew attention to the duty imposed on these implements. The Chairman, in moving tbas an attempt be made to have the duty on these implements removed, said there were far too many duties on farmers' I implements. The motion vrax supported by iUi J. Clark, «n<J agreed to. Balclutiin

branch recommended that each branch send a delegate to attend sitLnc;^ of the Arbitration Court, and that Mich members meet a-nd discuss matters pre\ious to sittings of the court — Colonial Executive : The chief point of this remit was that the Co'onial Executive shall levy through tho provincial executives a sufficient sum to carry out work of the Colonial Executive. The provincial councils snail lew on branches on tho fofowing scale per member: — £1000 or under capital value ss, and Is for each additional £500, honorary members ss. The blanches to collect the above, together with a sum sufficient 1o carry out the work _i ea"h branch. Members of Colonial and FvoMiirial executive delegates attending colonial ant] pro\ineiil conferences «hall be entitl:«.l tc reasonable Ira\ellmg allowance. Comevsational iliscu°sion ensued en thi-, <*nd CAC-ntuallv Mr Grey moved that Miltou branch i- in £<i\ our of retaining its present system of graduated ieiies. Seconded by Mr. J. Clark, and agreed to :— The Secretary to Otago Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Association reported at meeting on January 10 an increase in insurance of £2475 since last meeting, and also notified appointment of agents in various districts. It was-a-lso hoped that special efforts would be made tc increase the business of the association The Chairman expressed pleasure at the increase in business, and hoped that farmers would insure iv their own office. Had h not been for the Mutual, farmers would not have been reaping the same benefits of low premium as at present. — Ihe secretary v.as instructed to apply to tho Agricultural Deoartment for 150 copies of the Government" expert's pamphlet on fruit canning-.— At a later stage a letter was received' fiom Mr Jos. R. Lynch, secretary to Otago Agricultural and General labourers Union, asking that a committee from the union meet representatives of the Labourers' Union in conference to di&cuss ihe question off wages, etc., during the approaching season. The labourers hoped to discuss the matter with a view to arranging an amicable settlement, and to draw up an agreement satisfactory to both parties. The question was dealt with in committee, and on resuming in open meeting it was resolved— " That the branch does not consider it necessary to meet the Labourers Union in conference, as the men were at present paid under the Arbitration Court award."