N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2914, 19 January 1910, Page 21

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

WAIMATE BRANCH. At a meeting of the Waimato branch of the Farmers’ Union Mr A. Garland' presided, and there vy.ere 30 members present. A letter from the Timaru branch ro making the subsciption year end March 3 let, 1911 ■ (about 18 months really for one subscription) was considered and after discussion held over.. A further letter, ro levy of 2s 6d per member by . the- executive was also held over, and eventually _ the amount was passed for payment with accounts. The Farmers’ Mutual Fire Insurance Association asked' for the farmers support, offering to send officers to Waimate to explain the working. The letter was received. Eleven members were elected. The president reported that their membership stood at 210, after a good canvass, and there was a good credit balance. Some of the members of the committee originally elected had done- nothing for the union-, r,nd be proposed under the rules to ask the committee to replace these with other members. A lot of business had been done, necessarily a lot of work in committee, so that the public did not know what had been dfono, especially re thrashing award in which he thought the Millowners’ Union hod been to blame in not taking the matter to the Arbitration Court. The final result, however, -had been fairly satisfactory. He considered the Farmers’ Union being strong had helped to stop a big rise; in connection with this matter there would be no levy on members. A number of detail questions were submitted a.nd answered by the president. Mr McGuinnes-s brought up the matter of the agricultural statistics, and on a show of hands it was found that only four of those present had received notices asking for particulars and it was generally considered the statistics could have no value when apparently a ratio of only an eighth had received notices. On Mr Sealv’s motion Ihhet meeting strongly protested against this year’s unsatisfactory collecting of statistics. Some discussion took place on the difference between import and export duties with iAustralia. Opinions wore divided, and no motion was submitted. The question of rate of payment for harvest wages- was discussed and it was generally considered thle matter should be left open. Accounts for £3O 10s 9d were passed for payment.