FARMERS’ UNION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8864, 15 July 1907, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION.

. Palmerson Branch. The monthly meeting of the above was held on Saturday. Mr Balsillie presided. A deputation from the Employers’ Association waited on the meeting to bring before the Union the objects of the Association, with a view to obtaining the support of the Union. The Association had not received a great deal of support in the past, but the recent proceedings at the Arbitration Court had convinced the members that it was time to take a firm stand. The Employers’ Association in Palmerston was now a live organisation, and would soon have sufficient members to join the Employers’ Federation, with the result that at the next general election they will be sufficiently strong to be in a position to make representations to the Government to see that the employers’ interests are properly guarded. The subscription for the Farmers’ Union to join would bo JB3 3s. The result would be that if any member were brought before the Arbitration Court for say a technical breach, the Employers’ Association would take the matter in hand and see that his interests were properly guarded in the Court. There was another good reason why farmers should "join, seeing that there was a possibility of farm -labourers combining.

Captain Hewitt fully approved of joining the Association and he hoped that the farmers as a body would join, for the legislation of the country was getting into such a complicated state that the interests of the employers .could only be guarded by employing experts. It was decided that copies of the Association’s rules be obtained and posted to members asking them for an expression of opinion by next meeting, when the matter will be again brought up and fully discussed. dissolved that the Secretary write to the Defence Department pointing out that the Branca is anxious to form a Kifle Club, and asking whether the Department could meet the members in th matter of a range. ■ A letter was received from Lieut. Wood pointing out the necessity of increasing the interest in the National League and also urging farmers to join. Mr Stubbs moved that Farmers’ Union and all farmers should be members of the Defence League. Several of those present expressed their appreciation at a branch having been formed in Palmerston.

The resignation of Mr Wallace, who has been an active member of the Branch was accepted with regret.