N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 42, 19 June 1915, Page 3

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

TARANAKI PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. The monthly meeting of the Taranaki Executive of the X.Z. Farmers Union was held at liuwma on Thursday. There were present: -Messrs A. E, WaMier (vice-president m the chair). K. .Maxwell. 11. Lamh’.e, .1. S. Barrow, IE Orr, PI. Pledge, -I. Swim illelnirsc, and I). Young.

Apologies tor absence were receivedfrom the President (Mr Dunn) on account of illness, and from Mr S. -Morris, and leave was granted. The chairman welcomed the new , faces at the table, but expressed regret at the departure of some of the old ones. Ho referred particularly to the services which Mr J. Thomson had done for the Executive and for tiie Union. He was sorry to lose him, and moved that the Execmave place on record its appreciation of the services of Mr Thomson during his long connection with the Union, and also place on record its appreciation of other members who have now retired. Mr Lambic seconded the motion, and heartily supported it. He said that Mr Thomson, as a member of the Executive and as treasurer, had done good service. The motion was carried unanimously. REVISED RULES. ,A copy of the revised rules of the Union, objects, platform, etc., were received from headquarters, and were considered and adopted. A HR! CU LTUR-A L 1 XST.RUCTIOX.

it was resolved that Mr Browne, 1 Agricultural Instructor, be invited to give a lecture at next meeting, and that farmers be invited to attend, the lecture to be advertised through the pres«. ,ue President (Mr Dunn) sent a telegram suggesting that branches ol the Union should take up the Wounded Soldiers’ Relief Fund. He sent a cheque for £o towards that fund. it was pointed out that in most districts committees were already formed for this purpose, and it was resolved that in districts where there are no committees for collecting funds for the relief of wounded soldiers and their dependants, the branches he asked to form committees for the purpose. NATIONAL OR LOCAL MANGEMENT OF FUNDS. In connection with the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund, some discussion took place as to whether it should be managed from a central body or by local committees. 'Air Maxwell said there were very strong arguments for a National Fund, and there were also arguments that every locality look alter its own. There were certain things that should bo done and ought to be done by the Go-vernment—-provision for pensions and so forth, fl a central body were es-, taWished to administer the voluntary contributions, all would he treated on a level scale, and he did not think this would work. The circumstances of each case would have to be considered. Where 10s ; a week might meet one case, los might he required in another ease. There were also some cases where immediate relief was required. For these reasons, he favored local control as against National control for voluntary contributions. None but a local committee could gauge the nature of the case. Mr Swindlehurst favored local control.

It was stated a suggestion had been made that a conference of the whole of tlie Taranaki committees be held for the purpose of dealing with the control of funds. Mr Washer said that if it were decided to have a controlling body for the whole of Taranaki he would like to see all moneys go to that fund. He gave notice to move at next meeting tiiat if a committee is formed for the whole of Taranaki to control the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund, the moneys hold by this Executive he handed over to that committee. In the eveent of a conferencce being called to consider the matter, the President was appointed to represent the Executive. ROLL OF HONOR. On the motion of Mr Maxwell, seconded by Mr On', it was resolved that this Executive extend its sincere sympathy to all members of the Union who have lost their sons in the present