GISBORNE FARMERS' UNION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9840, 5 September 1903, Page 2

GISBORNE FARMERS' UNION.

The Gisborne branch of the Fanners' Union, met this afternoon, Mr W. D. Lysnar in the chair. • / PROPOSED WOOLLEN MILL. Information and replies to enquiries, regarding the proposed woollen "mill were placed before members. The Secretary of the Hawke's Bay Provincial Executive wrote stating that from a fanner's point of view woollen factories were of no use to him in New; Zealand. They gave a good article, biit.at an increased price to purcliasers, and the producer received no more for his wool, as the price was fixed by outside markets. Out of about 130,---000,O0Olbs of wool produced, the factories in New Zealand only use about 10,000,000 pounds. Further, they gave employment to operators, whose powerful unions aimed for legislation opposed t to the interests of farmers and all produce, from land. Of tli© nominal capital £8238 had been called up, this being sufficient to keep a plaint employing 76 hands. The expenditure in the first year's operations had been £3370 on land and buildings, £7886 on plant, ,£6BB preliminary expenses. ' The stock of raw material, goods pianufactured and in process, was valued at £3111. The Chairman referred to the instructive figures given by the Hawke's Bay Woollen Mill Company. When, he was in Napier he, heard they had nine months' orders ahead, and they were working in three shifts night aiid day. An up-to-date plant could be purchased for £8000, and: in addition to that there would be, say, £9000 for land and buildings, and £3000 for -working expenses until they got the wool uiamitactured and' placed on the market." Thus, for £13,000 a mill could be financed., For a much less sum than, £8000 they could* obtain secondhand plant at Home, and there was plenty of suitable plant offering. The best course was to float a company, and appoint a manager. The manager could select the machinery. The Chairman concluded by proposing ;that a meeting of the business men of the town to consider the proposal should be convened. In reply to : Mr Birrell, the Chairman stated at Napier there' were six looms working, and) fine cloth, flannels, etc., were being produced. ' He had been struck with the simplicity of the Hawke's Bay mill, dads everything seemed to be satisfactory. Mi* Harris seconded. The motion was carried. Mr Lysnar said four or five sheepfariners had intimated their willingness to take up shares -straight away. It would circulate a great deal of money for wages, and would give the farmers the true value for their wool. Mi* Birrell, answering the Hawke's Bay letter^ said the farmers of the colony doubled in number the labor unionists, and surely they ..were able to look after themselves. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was received from the Provincial Executive regarding /the horse sate fixed for Tuesday, .October 20th, at Ormond, the branch being requested to make it a success. The Executive also forwarded three resolutions for consideration—(l) That the Executive notify the branches of any important business, to enable them to discuss same ; (2) the Government to be urged to resume the purchase of Native lands ; (3) tliat branches send communications to local bodies or Government departments . tlirough the Provincial Executive, except on matters of urgency or purely local concern. Resolutions passed by the Motu branch were forwarded by the -Executive— (l) The Colonial Executive be requested to increase the levy on members, to enable the expense in circulating literature to be met; (2) the Provincial Executive be recommended to support the registration of agreement on boundary fencing lines. < The Chairman moved : "That this branch does not approve of Hie. Goverhinent resuming the purchase of Native.. lands, «but instead would suggest that Native land should" be dealt with in the same way as European lands." .: ' Mr McLeod seconded the motion/ which after discussiovL was carried. Ms Lysnar spoke strongly of Government monopoly, and Mr Harris against freetra.de in native land, which had ruined many.