Sounds’ Farmers’ Union.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 26, Issue 62, 30 July 1915, Page 5

Sounds’ Farmers’ Union.

A meeting of the Sounds Branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held at Homewood on Saturday, 17th instant, when the following members attended : Messrs F; O. Fell (chairman), G. Anderson, M. Greensill, J. Black G. Johnson, C. Roadley, T. Harvey, O. Mills, W. Haryey, N. Harvey, W. Seymour, 0. Harvey, H, Christian, A. Ward, D. Foot, J. Webb, 0. Borck, J. Smith and F. Ward (secretary). Messrs P. and C. Harvey and W. Seymour were elected members of the Union, on the proposal of the Chairman. After the correspondence had been dealt with, Mr Anderson proposed that Messrs W. T. Erekine and A. Simpson be elected honorary members. Mr Anderson spoke of the good work that had been done by those gentlemen in the past, and be thought it was only right that the Union should show appreciation of their services.—The proposal was passed without dissent. Mr Anderson then brought forward a proposal dealing with the time-table ot the Wellington-Sounds cargo and mail service. He explained that owing to the steamer arriving back in Wellington on Saturday night or Sunday morning all cargo had to remain on board till Monday, and that practically placed a bann on settlers shipping perishable goods. If the vessel’s day of departure from Wellington was fixed for Mondays instead of the present day (Wednesday) she would then arrive back in Wellington earlier in the week, when goods could be landed at once and in sound order.

As the alteration would require an alteration m the time-table of the launch mail as well, Mr Johnson proposed that the chairman (Mr Anderson) and the chairman of the Kenepuru Branch be appointed as a committee to go into the question, Mr Johnston’s motion was lost, and as Mr Anderson was going to Wellington in a lew days to attend the Dominion Conference the matter was left in his bands to see if he could make the necessary arrangements with the Postal Department. Mr Fell drew the attention of the members to the very unsatisfactory way in which letters are bandied at present between the local offices. The letters are handed loose to the mailman, and as a result were often overlooked and carried past the office they should have been delivered at. After some discussion Mr Christian drew up the following proposal, which was adopted : “ That all contractors find pigeon boles for all local mail for post-offices, and are supplied with small canvas mail bags about 15in. by Sin., into which all local mail is put and delivered to local offices, the local office having a duplicate bag.” Mr Christian, on behalf of Mr J. Saunderson moved ; That any member of this Branch who has enlisted or may enlist shall be kept financial as a member until bis return.” Seconded by Mr Anderson and carried.

Mr Greensill proposed that the follow-' ing remit, referred to the branches’ consideration by the Provincial Executive, be adopted : “ That the Dominion Conference be asked to appoint a' committee to consider and draft a scheme of Government by Elective Executive for this country in order that the Farmers’ Union be able to enter on an active campaign to bring this principle clearly before the electors of the Dominion.” Seconded by Mr Black and carried after brief discussion. Mr Fell moved and Mr Anderson seconded: “ That this Braneb of the Farmers’ Union urge the Government to increase the pension of the totally disabled soldiers from 25s to at least 35s per week.” The motion was carried unanimously. Mr Fell said that with the exception of the pension to the totally disabled soldiers be thought the pensions proposed were very fair, and as high as the country could afford to go The meeting was closed by a very interesting report delivered by Mr Anderson of the work done at the Provincial Conference held in Havelock on the 28th May,