N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION

Otago Witness, Issue 3148, 15 July 1914, Page 17

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION

OTAGO PROVINCIAL COUNCIL,

A meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, Otago Provincial Council, was held at Hugh Mitchell and Co.’s office, Dunedin, on the Bth inst., at 2.30 p.m Mr James Bcgg, Mosgiel (president), occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance of members.

Remits from the Provincial Conference were submitted as follows That the De ; fence Department be asked to have more drills in winter, so as to-lnterfere as little as 'possible with farm work in the spring and mid-summer.”—lt was resolved to ask branches to give their individual opinions on this subject, and to suggest that in each case, the branch should communicate wifi the Defence Office stating the time that w.J suit best. —“ That the union take up the question of looking into conditions of sales as drawn up by the Dunedin Auctioneers and Stock Brokers’ Association.”—With a view to assisting the executive to arrive at „ a conclusion it is asked that each branch send in any complaints that it may have regarding condiions of sales at as early a date as possible, i The order paper for the thirteenth annual Dominion Conference, to bo held on 21st inst. in Wellington, was dealt with at great length, and the delegates were given the opinion of the executive regarding most , of the remits to come forward, j . Several letters were received from Mr ; Sedgwick giving copies of communications to the Government and; the replies thereto. —The executive again approved of the Sedgwick scheme for bringing town lads to New Zealand farms, on lines as already carried out. Minister of Defence.—A' letter was received, in reply to a complaint from the Greenfield branch regarding forage for horses at annual training camps. It was reported that the reply was considered satisfactory. A large amount of correspondence was received from the various branches which gave particulars of branch meetings, election of officers, etc. DESTRUCTION OF HAWKS. The question of the destruction of hawks and l the fact that hawks’ claws were being paid for by the Acclimatisation Society were brought under the notice of the executive by the President. —Several members stated that hawks were doing good work in killing rabbits, and it was resolved that a remit bo sent to the Dominion Conference as follows —viz.: “That the union portests against the destruction of hawks, as advocated by the Acolimatisation.Society.” CANTERBURY BRANCH. Report of conference with representatives of Farmers’ Co-operative and Farmers’ i Union in Canterbury, at which the following resolution was carried—viz. : That this conference of farmers’ co-operative associations fully recognise the good work of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, and that the interests of such organisation and farmers’ co-operative associations are identical, and expresses the hope that steps will be taken to bring about closer relationship by mutually assisting one another in their respective spheres of labour.” LAND FOR SETTLEMENT. PAHIATUA, July 10. For a considerable time past the Government has been urged to acquire the Balfour Estate, of 3000 acres, near Pahiatua. The Prime Minister has now advised Mr Scott, M.P., that the Land Purchase 1 Board recently took steps to acquire the estate under section 64 of “ The Land , Laws Amendment Act, 1913,” and accord- I ingly served notice on the Hon. Mr Stevens, 1 M.L.C., one of the owners. In the case, j however, of Mr A. J. Balfour, it is doubt- I ful whether his co-owner (Mr Stevens) has | power to accept service under liis power of attorney, but he is writing to Mr Bal- j four on the subject. The Government has advised that there must be .service upon Jjlr Balfour before the notice can be : gazetted. This being so/action in connec- j tion with the acquiring of the estate must i stand over in the meantime. ;■