N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 81, 18 November 1911, Page 7

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

TARANAKI PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. The ordinary monthly meeting oi the Taranaki Executive iN.Z. j''armors' Union was held at HaweM yevteiday. Present: Messrs J. VV. Jones, prcsident, R. Lamhie, E. Marivil, \\. Cleaver, A. Hunter, J. David, srtn, R. Dunn, E. Maxwell and S. Forsyth. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs A. Voullaire and F. J. Virgin, and leave grained to all absent members. Technical Instruction. The Secretary reported that Air Browne, director of technical instruction, had informed him that since last meeting of the Executive; a class in practical instruction in shearing had ucen started and there were six pupils attending. Mr A. Hunter had kindly provided the shearing shed and the sheep. Mr Browne desired members of tlic executive to assist m getting more pupils. Parliamentary. It was reported that candidates’ replies to questions had been published. supplementing his hist letter, the don. T. Mackenzie wired that i he could be pleased to address the Farmers’ Union on agricultural questions f the Union would name a day when .e could go fully into matters. Mr Davidson moved that Mr Mackenzie be written and informed that lie executive would meet him after lm general election. Air Cleaver scollided. Mr Maxwell moved as an amendnen", ‘•'f.iat Mr Mackenzie be v.n’tten .0 informing him that the next meeting of the executive does not take place until after the election, thereoro the executive regrets that they •annot have the pleasure of meeting Mr Mackenzie before the election.” Messrs Maxwell, Jones an J Cleaver j.xpressed themselves in the l Junction that it would be unfair to give rny one candidate a special noar.ag. They were a non-party body. The amendment was carried, Messrs Davidson and Cleaver voting against it. On the motion of Air Alarfell, the following motion' was carried unanimously: “That the executive regrets that Messrs AlcCluggage, O’Dea, Bellringer, and the Hon. T.- Mackenzie have failed to accede to tire request of the executive to answer questions put by the Union.” Land and Estate Agency. The Dominion Executive forwarded replies from all the provincial executives re the proposal of the Taranaki Executive to start a land and estate agency. The Wellington, Hawke’s Bay, Nelson, Marlborough, North Canterbury, Otago, and Southland executives did not approve of the proposal, and South Canterbury had not fully considered it. Air Maxwell moved that this Executive start a Farmers’ Union land and estate! agency if the provincial secretary is prepared to undertake its establishment and accept the position as agent. Air Davidson seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Preference to Unionists. Air Lamhie brought up the question of preference to unionists, and said the principle was a wrong one. Ho believed a majority of workers wore not unionists, and if they were to allow the principle of preference to obtain it meant that a minority would punish the majority who were not unionists. This sort of thing was undermining our boasted British fair play and freedom. He moved; “That as this executive believe in the complete freedom of contract they place on record their disagreement with the granting of preference to unionists, and the executives conviction that great injury to the trade and general welfare of the country must result from such a system.” Mr Alaxwell seconded the motion, which was carried. Agricultural Scholarships. The secretary reported that Air A. Allhusen had subscribed £1 towards the scholarship.