FARMERS' UNION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10963, 4 May 1907, Page 2

FARMERS' UNION.

The annual meeting of the Gisborne Branch of tlie Farmers' Union was held to-day, when there were' about 20 members present. Mr'W. D. Lvsnar presided, and presented the annual balance sheet, which showed the total receipts ol £44 16 s 6d. A credit of £1 4s lid was left after paying expenses. A total of 69 members had paid their subscriptions, and he urged fori co-operation m tliis direction. As regards the work of the year, the Chairman went on to say, that outside of their work, the most important event of tlie year was the loss of tne late Premier, Tlie most important measures dealt with was the Land Act. which Was carefully considered. . The stand the Branch took was that the measure did not carry out the spirit of the legislation submitted at the previous e'ection. The safety valve the Branch held, was the Land for Settlement Act, and the Bill was simply a means to save the Government from enforcing that measure. Tlie Act provided for the city man at the expense of the country mail. It was not a logical Act. and would not work out m practice^ The most important aspect was the financial side, as it would affect farmers financially. It would hit .''the very men that should really be assisted. They hoped that when the Government brought up the measure again it would be m a much modified .orm. Another matter they had dealt with was the freight question, and through the apathy of the farmers of -the colony the Federal line had been squeezed out. They would have secured a reduction of 50 per cent., and now, since the new line had been starved out, freights had been increased 50 per cent, on what they were a few months ago. On the two freezing companies here it meant a sum of £26,000 alone, besides the other products pf the district. They would never get far rates until the farmers of the colony stood together aiid supported a new line of steamers to come m. They cpuld not expect any sympathy from the commercial men of the town, who were agents of "the present shipping companies. He hoped tbey would be able to do something m the matter this year. They were not going to sit still and bear the present rate without a murmur. The Chairman went on to detail other matters, which were (taken up. Steel's road, Tahora, improvement of strain of dairy cows, and erection of a dip at Matawhero. The latter was a matter which should be pressed this year, as it was urgently, wanted, and should be provided by the firms who were making a large profit at the sales. Representations had also been made re better representation of tlie district on the Land Board. They were entitled to a representative on the Board resident m the town. Then there was the opening up of the stock track to Waikato. It was pleasing to learn that the Government had two parties at work on tliis and the far side of Waikaremoana. but they required strengthening. Only a gap of eight miles existed. The telephone rates and the advance of the rabbits to the district had been dealt with. Rabbits were threatening them from three rjoints. Only a narrow strip of bush m the vicinity of Waikaremoana prevented them' m that direction, and when that came down they would be here. Thirty miles of fence would prevent their advance from this direction. They wero asking that inspectors be appointed at Wairoa and Opotiki. The new earmarking processs was also considered during the year. There were equally a number of important subjects to be considered this year, , and when there were such important matters to be dealt -with the f aimers united co-operation was required. More assistance was required financially, although of the last few weeks it had been more satisfactory. Mr S, Liddell moved the adoption of the balance sheet.— Mr Bell seconded.— Carried. The election of officers was proceeded with. Mr Bell proposed and Mr Maddison seconded that Mr Lysnar be re-apppointed president.— Carried .— In returning thanks Mr Lysnar said he would like to see more life infused into the Branch. There was good useful work to be done, and he was quite willing to take. his share. During the past year he had had much assistance "horn the committee. As a, branch they had had absolutely, no friction within themselves. Mr T. Holden was re-elected vice-chair-man, Mr A. J. Cameron retiring from nomination m his favor. The following committee was appointed : Messrs Caesar, T. Fraser. R. M. Birrell, W. Bell, A. J. Cameron, S. Li_dell, F. Teiljen, C. Boiton. T. and W. W. Smith, J. C. Field, C. J. Parker^ Dinan, Candy, and Ij^Lang-