FARMERS' UNION.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12807, 31 May 1910, Page 4

FARMERS' UNION.

NELSON PROVINCIAL CON-

FERENCE

Tho eighth nnliual eonfcirenco of -the Nelson branches of tho Farmers' Union was held at llichmond on Friday last, tho following delegates being present ;— Messrs I. Tuiinicliffe (President), W. D, Harkness (secretary and trOaaul-el ; ), 0. Drogcinuller, senr., N ; H. Turner (Upper Moutere), J; Corder and Frost (Wakapuaka), Joseph Thorn (Dovcdale), G. S. Haycock and L. A. Baigent (Wakeiield). The Tadmor and Karamea branches wpre not represented. A nieeting of thc-ExeCUtivc was held prior to the opening of the conference to pass accounts and other formal business.

The President then addressed the conforence on the work and prospects of tho Union past and present, and urged on the memhers the need oi increased efl'oris in the direction of creating moro interest in tho meetings of branches. He' also drew attention to tho fact that farmers as a rule were apathetic as regards their own interest and of the efforts the Union was making to improve tho position oi farmers' generally. Members themselves often spoke in terms which did not tend to popularise tho Union. It was also pointed out that farmers had themselves to blame that more good was not derived from the organisation. There were many ways in which the membors could benefit, as for instance iii the pooling of orders for seeds, manures, binder twines, fruit cases, and spraying materials. He also urged that the district i was sadly in need of an official organiser, in ordc-r to increase the membership, and expressed regret that ho had not been able to visit all the branches, but was pkvised to sec that the financial position of all the branches showed a substantial improvement on the previous year; The membership' remained about the same, viz;, about 200; The President was thanked for his addrciss. .

The secretary then presented the statement of accounts, showing that the levies received from branches were 50 por cent in advance of last year. This was considered very satisfactory. Tho balance sheet was adopted, ana the levy of the Dominion Executive was passed for payment. It was resolved on tho motion of the President, seconded by Mr Corder, "That the members of the Farmers' Union in this district deeply regret the loss the Empire has sustained by tho sudden <loa.tl\ of ouv mast gracious Sovereign, King Edward VII., and. also wish to express our unswerving loyalty to his successor, King George V." It was resolved on the motion of the President, seconded by Mr Turner, "That this meeting place on record its appreciation of the valuable services rendered to the Union by the late Mr G. W. Bonsemann, who was considered tho father of the Union in the Moutere district, and also a valued member of the Provincial Executive." The following remits were then considered : —

Upper Mouterc. — That it be a recommendation to the Dominion Conference that in the interests of the Union the appointment of a competent official organised' be urged, with 'a view to increasing the membership of the Union, throughout the Dominion. — Carried uuauimously. Karamea. — That tho Government be requested to push on with the work of connecting Karamea and Collingwood by road ; and also the track, Tadrnor to. Karamea', via 3lt. Eadiant. It was resolved that the foregoing requests ho forwarded to the Minister of Public Works, urging the necessity of an early fulfilment of previous promises in connection with these much-needed facilities for better communication.

Karamea. — That owing to the great distance (50 miles) to Westport, and in view of the increased number of settlers, the time had arrived for tho Assessment Court to be held in the Karamea district. It was resolved that this request bo forwarded to the pro? per quarter, with a strong rccommen-itAaon-lor cDinplJattee ilife*i\vii_. ■ _6the reasons stated.

Karamoa. — That when monies a_o granted for roads and bridges, the same should be made immediately available to those concerned. .It was decided to refer this remit .o the Dominion Conference.

A letter was read from the Taranaki Executive re assessment on annual values in place of capital value for taxation purposes. No action was taken, as this matter would in all probability be before the Dominion Conference.

A resolution protesting against the tactics of the State Fire Insurance Department in the manner of securing business, through the Advances to Settlors Office, was adopted. It was also resolved "That this meeting objects to the extension of the age limit from 21 to 25 in connection with thci regulations' tor compulsory military training, owing to this extension being likely to make the movement unpopular and irksome." The above- remits arc- to be referred to the Dominion. Conference. A report was received from tho Otago Mutual Fire Insurance Association, showing very satisfactory results.- Tho secretary was instructed to procure some extra copies of the directors' reportffor distribution among tho branches.

The election of officers resulted as follows :— President : Mr I. Tunniclifte (unanimously re-elected). Vice-I'rcsi-dent: Mr N. A. McLaren (re-elected). Treasurer: Mr W. D. Harkness (roelcctcd). Auditor: Mr G. E. Chisnali (re-elected). The- following members were appointed an executive committee: Messrs I. Tunicliffe, N. A. McLaren, J. Corder, Frost, 0. J. Rvrffel. 11. C. Withers (Wakapuaka), Jcs<spli Thorn, W. Tliorn, N. Win (Dovedale). J. Hagon. (Spring Grove)-, P. Higgins (Belgrove), C. Drogemullcr, Benr., J. Heine (Uppe.r Moutere), G. S. Haycock (Bright water), R. H. Turner (Redwood's Valley), and.L. A. Baigon.t (Wakofield), Tadmor to be asked to appoint a representative, rlie President wqs appointed to represent the "Union at the Dominion Conference to be held in Wellington in the second week in July. The conference than rose.