THE FARMERS' UNION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 4015, 24 February 1903, Page 4

THE FARMERS' UNION.

The Provincial Secretary of the S. C. Farmers' Unions, acting under, in structions from the Chairman, has sent a circular letter to each of the branches in the district, detailing what has been done by the Southland executive in the matter of appointing a veterinary surgeon and travelling e. ent for Southland. Mr Patterson is the person appointed and his salary is £4OO per annumn and travelling expenses, estimated at £IOO. The letter goes on to say :—" As. the annual losses of stock to farmers and others in South ~ Canterbury have been for some years very considerable for the want of a first class consulting veterinary surgeon the time is deemed by our Executive as opportune for a similar appointment being made for this large and important district by the New Zealand Farmers' Union. This scheme would, of course, mean that a considerable addition would have to be made to the funds, and in order to attain this object is is proposed : —I. To raise the annual subscription of all working members of the Union in South Canterbury (hitherto ridiculously low) to 10s per annum on and from the 31st March, 1903. 2. To form a guarantee fund, extending over three years with a minimun subscription of £1 Is per annum if necessary in case the ordinary annual revenue fal 1 s short at any time, it being clearly understood that the fund would be quite distinct and supplementary to the ordinary annaial subscription of members of the Union. I would, therefore, now ask you to call a meeting of your branch as early as convenient after the receipt of this circular, and place the scheme before them. It might, however, be necessary as well to cirailarise all your members, but in any case I should be required, to bo advised of the result at as oai J ly a date as possible. I shall be very happy to afford you any further information regarding this matter (as ' far as lies in my power) which should it is thought by our executive commend itself to all the farmers anck ttodK'owners of South .CantaJ^±"U.