FARMERS' UNION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 196, 23 September 1914, Page 10

FARMERS' UNION.

NORTH CANTERBURY BRANCH. MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE. The Provincial Executive of. the North. Canterbury District of the New Zealand Farmers' Union met this afternoon, Mr C.H. Ensor presiding. There were also present:- —Messrs Geo. Gardner, Geo. Sheat, G. W..' Leadley, W* Bailey, C. Benjatoiin, A. E. C. Cook^,J r E. Cullen, "F.> G. Horrell, H. G.' Livingstone, G. G. Newton, J. W. Patchett, Basil Seth-Smith, and Stephen Weld. The Prime Minister wrote stating (in reply to a resolution passed at the con•ferenee of representatives of the Farmers' Union, Sheep Owners' Union; and Chamber of Commerce, urging the issue of State warrants to assist farmers in financing during the war) that the ,re-, presentations would receive careful consideration, and also acknowledging receipt of the resolution regarding the appointment of a select committee to ; enquire into shipping freights. ,"'■"" A telegram was received from she Prime Minister in regard suggestion that Mr B. Evans, of Kaiapoi,.as a practical wheatgrower, should be appointed to the Food Commission, stating that he would consult with the chairman - of the Commission as to whether any additional appointment should be made ait this stage. The secretary of the Dominion Executive wrote, forwarding the following remit from the Auckland ;. Provincial Conference for .reference to the branches: —"That the Dominion Conference be again asked to appoint a committee ■ to consider and draft .a scheme of government by elective ex-' ecutive for this country, in order that the Farmers' Union may be able toenter on an active . campaign to bring this principle clearly before the electors of the Dominion." The Dominion Conference had decided to refer tho matter to'the branches before making any pronouncement on the subject. '•'■' The chairman explained the purports of the proposal, and. said the principle involved was a large one.

Mr Gardner moved that the letter be received. He considered thai: it would be waste of time for the meeting to* discuss what was purely,.; a political i matter.

Mr Leadley considered the matter should go on ;to the branches, and moved accordingly. ', The amendment referring to ...the branches was carried. v The New Zealand Union forwarded particulars of a proposal made by Mr J. McQueen/ of Southland, that a Bill be introduced to amend' the' National Endowment Act, 1907. Mr Sheat explained that Mr McQueen's idea was that rural endowments should be released and revert -,tor freehold holdings, and the money derived from the sale of the endowments - invested in the city properties'"which did not have attaching to them the lim ited finality that appertained to ruraS endowments. The matter was referred to the branches. .

Mr J. W, Leadley moved that the Government be urged, to make provision for boats to take away produce during the first three mouths of the New Year. Mr Massey, he stated, had announced that provision had been made for the remainder of this year, hut provision had not been made for next year. The lamb trade would be very heavy at the New Year and there was not cool storage iu New Zealand for more than a three weeks' output. *, , The "motion was"carried.

The secretary of the Poor of Britain, Ireland, and Belgium* Relief Fund wrote acknowledging receipt of the union's resolution regarding assistance. The Chairmaipsaid the present was a very lean time for the farmers, but when the fat lamb season was on >lhe farmers would probably contribute liberally. Mr Sheat moved that the matter of the lack of facilities afforded farmers of loading cream on trains l.ebrought under the notice of the District Traffic Manager. Farmers, he said, had always to await the arrival of the train's to load the cream themselves. The motion was carried. '