N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 4, 21 August 1911, Page 8

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

TARANAKI PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. The usual monthly meeting of th.c Taranaki Provincial Executive of the Now Zealand Fanners’ Union was hold at Hawera on Thursday. Present: Messrs J. W. Jones (president), J. Davidson, E. Maxwell, J. Jlioinson, R. Lambic,' F. J. Virgin, W. Cleaver,and J. Swindlchurst. Leave of absence was granted to Messrs fe. horsvib, A. Hunter, A. \oullairc, V. I. Williams, W. Rogers, E. Marfcll, R. Dunn, G. Prcccc, and W. Swadling. Special Contributions. In response to an appeal for special contributions the following branches wrote forwarding amounts as follows: Mangatoki £1 Gs, Ngaire £2, Opunake £5 os. Resolved that the thanks of the executive be conveyed to those branches. It was pointed out that some of the brandies had not met to consider the appeal. Taylor Memorial Fund. Tlio secretary stated that lie had received from the T. E. Taylor memorial committee 25 stamped unaddressed envelopes each containing a copy of report of public mooting, subscription lists and a letter inviting secretaries to obtain subscriptions in their respective districts, also a request to address these and lorwaid them to the branches. Ho wished for n direction from the executive on the. matter. Mr Maxwell said this was a matter outside the province of the union and lio moved that the papers he returned, and the executive express regret that it cannot comply with the request, as it is a matter not within the province of the union. It was not tor them to deal with, the merits of the case, it was outside their province. Mr Lambic seconded the motion, whicli was carried nem. con. Proposed Legislation. Mr B. Dive, M.R., and Mr Newman, M.R., forwarded copies of ,tho following Bills which have been introduced into the House this session, viz.: “Shearers’ Accommodation Amendment Bill,” “Industrial, Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment,” “Workers’ Compensation Amendment,” “Land Amendment,” and “Friendly Societies Amendment.”

Speaking on the Shearers’ Accommodation Amendment Bill Mr Maxwell said ho did not see any necessity for a Bill of the nature which proposed to make employers make such accommodation for shearers. Generally the conditions under which shearers worked were right. There might be isolated cases where the conditions wore not what they should be, but there was no call for legislation such as was proposed in this Bill. He moved that the members for the district .and the advisory committee lie asked to oppose the Bill. He pointed out that shearers were in a different position to workers in the towns who were compelled to worked at lixed occupations. Shearers often left regular occupations to take on shearing as a matter of choice because good money was to bo made at it and they knew the conditions under which they had to work.

Mr Lambio did not believe in the Bill. There were certain economic laws that governed this and other tilings, and all legislation that was not in accordance with those laws would only prove dangerous and abortive. Ho seconded the motion. Messrs Jones, Cleaver and Davidson expressed opposition to the Bill. The motion was carried. In dealing with the Industrial, Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment. Bill, it was decided to oppose sections 4, and u, which gave the Court power to extend an award made in one district, to all trade unions, industrial unions, industrial associations and employers in New Zealand who are connected with or engaged in the same industry as that to which the award applies. When the Workers’ Compensation Amendment Bill came on for consideration, Mr Maxwell said that it was another instance of the trend of legislation which aimed, piece by piece, to reach the goal of the Socialist. In this class of legislation the workers and manufacturers had their remedies, but the primary producers, the farmers, had no remedy.

Mr Lambio was in favour of a universal compulsory insurance scheme, ft would bo fair to all. The Bill they wore dealing with was class legislation. It was resolved that the members for the districts bo asked to oppose the Bill any other attempts to impose fresh liabilities on employers. Dcminioji Conference. Messrs Jones and Maxwell, delegates to the Dominion Conference, gave a report of its proceedings. Mr Jones said that the conference was by far the best, ho had attended. The sympathy between farmers was stronger than ho had before witnessed. The order paper was the biggest' on record, and it showed one of two things: either that the farmers were waking up to the necessity of asserting themselves, or that they wore getting more discontented. The South island was making great strides in the matter of organisation and it behoved them in Taranaki to follow in their footsteps. The remits sent from Taranaki to the conference had all boon well received, and all of them were carried. He could not speak too highly of the aid ion of the Minister for Agriculture and the chief officers ■f his half who had attended the con- . rencc and took a keen interest in i.ls proceedings and gave some valuable hints. Mr .Maxwell endorsed what Mr lours had said. The Hon. Mr Mackenaio was, quite apart from party, giving a very great deal of attention ':■! the farming industry. In the vei-n-in ary division Hie officers paid great ■di'-nlion to Ihc recommendations of the conference, and ihc Veterinary

Bill now before the House come cf the recommendations were embodied. Mr Davidson moved that the report of the delegates he received and the executive express satisfaction at the work of the Dominion Conference. air Lambic, in seconding the motion, said he had never been so pleased with the result of a conicronco as ho 1 tad'been with this one. It was a groat compliment to them that, the whole of the Taranaki remits had been passed. He had sometimes felt discouraged with the support accorded to the union and was sometimes inclined to give it up. Speaking personally he did not need to care how matters went with the union, but there were certain principles which ho strove for, and for that reason he would support it with all his might.

The motion was carried unanimously, and Messrs Jones and Maxwell acknowledged the compliment.

Military Training. The president stated that General Godley had attended 'the conference to confer with the delegates as to the most suitable time of the year to have the military camp in their respective districts. The General said ho would endeavour to meet their wishes as far as possible. After some discussion Mr Jones gave notice to move at next meeting: “That, the executive recommend the latter end of May as the most suitable time for the military camp in Taranaki.” It wds' resolved to communicate .with the officer commanding the district in, the meantime. v