N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 250, 22 April 1912, Page 7

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

TARANAKI EXECUTIVE MEETING. A meeting of the Taranaki executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held in Hawera on Thursday. Present: Messrs E. Maxwell, J. Cleaver, R. Lambert, '¥. J. Virgin, Swindlehurst, A. Voullaire, J. Thomson, R. Dunn and J. B. Sim (provincial secretary). Apologies for unavoidable a'bsence were received from Messrs J. Davidson and A. Hunter. Mr. Maxwell was voted to the chair. DOMINION LEVY. The Dominion secretary advised that the Dominion levy for 1912-13 had been fixed at 2s fid per mem'ber. BRANCH RETURNS. The Dominion secretary, in sending annual branch return forms and membership lists, said he would be glad if the provincial secretary would again urge upon the branch secretaries the necessity for returning a complete list of the members' names and addresses, for under the Incorporated Societies Act he was supposed to keep a complete list of the ! members, and this he could not do unless branches supplied the information. The secretary said he had writteH to , tie 'branches on the matter. I IMPLEMENTS AT SHOWS. I A circular was read from the North Canterbury executive with reference to the loss to farmers ocasioned through the implement makers and importers de-; clining to exhibit at the principal agri- ; cultural and pastors) 1 shows, and stating that it had been decided 'to recommend farmers who are purchasing implements previous to the annual show fixtures, to make a stipulation that delivery shall be given on the show grounds, thus affording farmers an opportunity of comparing and securing the mostly highly-improved modern machinery. The executive further invited farmers to absolutely discontinue the custom of giving ofders through travelling agents, but to send them direct to the firms with whom they desire to deal. The meeting regretted the. action of the implement firms, but there was a difference of opinion as to whether the North Canterbury executive's suggestion would be a remedy, and, as the chairman pointed out, it would not suit Taranaki. Mr. Dunn moral—That this executive regrets the manufacturers' decision not to exhibit at agricultural shows, and whilst recognising that the travelling agent is costly, the executive cannot see that the suggestion of the North Canterbury executive would be a remedy and would certainly not suit Taranaki. Mr. Cleaver seconded the motion, and it was carried. On the proposition of Messrs Thomson and Dunn, the following motion was also agreed to.—"That the executive recommend to the branches that as the employment of travelling machinery agenfa must necessarily increase the cost, and as they cost a good deal of the farmers' time, it would be in the interests of purchasers to send orders direct to the manufacturers instead of dealing with travelling agents. miMIGRANTS. The Central Unemployed Body for London wrote enquiring if the executive could furnish it with any information or particulars relating to openings and vacancies for immigrants in New Zealand, and whether it could offer any assistance in regard to placing suitable men on farm work. Replying to a question, the chairman said this (body was working separately from Mr. Sedgwick's scheme. Mr. Dunn suggested that the letter be referiid to the branches for their consideration. Tie added that if more matters were referred to the branches it would be better for the branches, and would give them more interest, in the Union. The chairman: That is so. It was resolved that the letter be sent to the 'branches, and that, if they favor the scheme they could obtain and forward to the executive written applications from those who are desirous of obtaining labor. APPOINTMENT OF AN ORGANISER. Mr. E. Jack, Dominion secretary, writing with reference to the executive's request for the .appointment of an organiser, said he had hern directed by the j advisory committee to say that such an appointment under the present state of the finances was beyond the means of the Dominion executives. There were four executives in the North Island, two of which had their own organisers, and it was considered hardly likely that they would agree to subscribe' towards a North Island organiser. If it were intended to appoint an organiser or organisers for the whole Dominion, it might be possible to get each executive to contribute its share of the expenses. If this met with the wishes of the Taranaki executive he was instructed to write to the various executives and lay the matter before them. An offer from Mr. G. IT. Buekeridge, of Eltham, to act as organiser for the Taranaki province was accepted, with thanks. Tlie secretary was authorised to reply to the: Dominion executive that the executive had made its own arrangements. UNLOADING MANURES. The Auckland executive wrote that at a conference between the representatives of the Waterside Workers' Union and the Farmers' Union it was agreed that after three' months, or such further period as may be mutually agreed upon, that all manures be shipped in bags not exceeding 1401b in weight, and that all bags containing manures shall have the consignors' mark at the bottom. The Waterside Workers agreed to use every care, in the handling of manure cargoes. ' It was decided, on the motion of Messrs Maxwell and Voullaire, "That the executive approve of the resolution of the conference between the Auckland executive and the Waterside Workers' Union with reference to the packing of manures, and that a copy of the agreement receive this executive's endorsement, and be forwarded to chambers of commerce and harbor boards within the Taranaki district. PRIZE ESSAYS. It was decided that 1000 copies of the prize essays be distributed to the delegates at the provincial conference, who could supply the members in their own districts.